Fascinating behind the scenes account of how SpaceX developed and executed reusable booster rocket technology with their wildly successful Falcon 9 rocket. Seeing one of these boosters land autonomously on a floating barge in the ocean or back at the launch site is amazing , not to mention two from the Falcon Heavy rocket landing side by side! Whatever you think about Elon Musk's political views or how he runs a business, his individual vision, drive, and determination has revolutionized the space industry and is turning what was only science fiction into science fact.

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Elon Musk. The name itself invokes passionate feelings amongst people. Egotistical, mad, sexist, juvenile, driven, these are just a few of the terms one could use to describe him, and be perfectly accurate. However, I do love space exploration, and like it or not, Musk is the leader in pushing us forward in the area.
This book describes the history of his company, SpaceX. It's quite fascinating, actually, how far they have come so fast. They have pushed aside the other space companies, and pushed NASA into a faster and more streamlined approach to space travel. They have repeatedly delivered to the ISS, saving the United States the money (and pride) of having to rely on Russia for "hitching a ride". They have deployed thousands of their Starlink satellites, bringing the internet to millions.
BUT....would I ever want to work for him? Not a chance in heck! He demands his people work 7 days a week, 12-16 hours (or longer) shifts, accepts no excuses, and no delays. The employees might as well become Navy Seals, there are probably less hours expected! But, to be honest, if one wants to make their mark in the field, he's really the only game in town. Young people, with loads of energy and intelligence, can really gain invaluable experience working for him. Then maybe in the future, form their own companies.
The book is enlightening. It's told from the viewpoint of many employees. It's engaging and not demanding of any "genius level" thinking. It's just a good book!
I don't like the man, his politics, or his methods, but I have to give him respect for the company he has created.

I know I am not alone in being hesitant to read an arc that is at least in part about Elon Musk. I liked Twitter, and have really strongly disliked some of what Musk has said and supported over the past few years. It has almost been enough drama, mostly negative, to make me forget that Musk was also the person who started and has been running SpaceX. Thanks to this company, the science fiction I grew up reading may really be happening in my lifetime. And, since Musk was so distracted with all his non-space oriented drama, this book turns out to be mostly about SpaceX, while also acknowledging Musk's issues and limitations. I watched several of the more pivotal launches on livestreams, .so it was great reading the story of how these moments in modern science and technology happened. I do wonder if Musk can rein himself back in enough to actually stay focused on Mars, but if he can, or if someone younger and more focused can pick up where he leaves off, we may even see a Moon or Mars colony while I am still alive to see it.

I really liked this engaging and fast flowing read. Berger does an excellent job with it and I was not lost in the large cast that features. I found the book hard to put down and I enjoyed the fact that it was not largely about Elon Musk himself.

This was a PHENOMENAL book about SpaceX! After you finish reading Liftoff, go right here and get into more of the technical details of the development process.

We live in an era where we don't get inside info on space programs like we used to. While I can look up the bolt diameter on a Gemini module, or see the countdown process for every Apollo mission, that sort of detail will never be available again.

Well this is as close as you'll be able to get!