This book was interesting and I enjoyed learning about all of the products that now pervade our culture but were invented during our attempts to explore beyond the Earth. This book is filled with little details that make the stories so interesting. For example, I never knew that the crew of Apollo 1 (who died in the command module fire) had given their colleagues a picture of themselves with heads bowed as if in prayer, saying that they knew that the job was risky but they believed enough to take that risk, and that the program shouldn't be derailed should anything happen to them. The book also tells us about the inspiration behind Black and Decker's electric drill, plans to set off a nuclear device on the moon, and Robert Goddard's amazing legacy (largely kept secret during his lifetime). The author tends to ramble and use humor as if directly interacting with the reader. I didn't enjoy that as much. After all, I'm still reading so no need to be funny, just get to the good stuff! Parts of the book were redundant, as if it still needs a good editing. Overall, the stars but recommended.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review. All opinions above are my own.

Thanks to the folks at #netgalley, @netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book for a honest review of the book. As a 65-year old male, I grew up during the space race era and watched and read all I could about our space program, so I was super excited to receive this book. I felt the first 2/3 of the book was really super but the end bogged down with a lot if excess information. The book was a revelation to me because it certainly dispelled a lot of urban legends about the space program and gave me a great insight as to how NASA actually adapted prior breakthroughs and blended them into the space program - TANG is a major legend! I got a kick out of the official desire to keep any and all liquids and crumbs out of the space capsule and some of those chapters are the best in the book. When writing about personal bathroom issues, there are both a lot of stories and a lot of chuckles from the anecdotes related herein. It is a good review of the space program and the technology used in all aspects of the competition with the Russians - gotta love the chapter on the Space Pen vs, the Russians cheap 12 cent alternative. We forget how competitive things were back in the 1960's and this book really was a super way to relive a lot of those memories and the stories behind them.

One Giant Leap: Iconic and Sweet Inspiring Space Race Inventions That Shaped History, by Charles Pappas, was received direct from the publisher. Interestingly enough, this is the second book review in a row, by myself, about the US space race with the titles being partially the same. Why is this? This is due to 2019 being the fiftieth anniversary of the first moon walk by Neil Armstrong and crew. Space race based inventions brings to mind, for those of us old enough, things like the drink Tang or those pens that write upside down. This book shows and describes many more items, some you may never have even thought of. The book also is part memoir of the space race history, as would be expected. If you or someone you know is interested in diapers, dust, crumbs, sandwiches or UFO’s, this is a must read.

5 stars

Boy, I had such high hopes for this book. A review of space inventions sounded absolutely amazing and unique. However, I was left disappointed. Part of it could be that As a spacelift professional, I know more than than the average citizen will about this area of history. But it also is quite disjointed throughout; I think the author is a smart person and looks to make connections even when none is necessary nor appropriate.

I do think this might be a fun read for a middle grade space enthusiast just learning about spacelift history. Otherwise, I can’t say I’d recommend it to any space loving adult.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

One Giant Leap is a thought-provoking read about all the inventions that stemmed from the space race to the moon. A good read!