About the Book

John F. Kennedy described what would become the Apollo lunar missions of the 1960s and 1970s as challenges that Americans choose to accept “not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” They have been called the last optimistic acts of the twentieth century. Twelve astronauts actually walked on the moon, and to date are the only people in human history to have made this incredible journey.

In Moondust, journalist Andrew Smith tracks down the nine surviving astronauts to learn their stories. The result is a thrilling blend of history and memoir, rekindling the hopeful excitement of a unique time in American history, and captures the bittersweet heroism of those who risked everything to hurl themselves out of the known world — and who were never again quite able to accept its familiar bounds.

Andrew Smith has worked as a critic and feature writer for the The Face, The Sunday Times, the Guardian, and the Observer. Born in the United States, he now lives in Norwich, England.

“Splendid!”— Arthur C. Clarke, author 2001: A Space Odyssey

Critical Praise

“Splendid!” — Arthur C. Clarke, author 2001: A Space Odyssey

“Wonderful… Smith examines [the questions] not just in the political context of the times but, refereshingly, with regard to the popular culture and the mood of the moment… A fascinating book, often poignant… but funny too.” — Daily Mail (London), Critics Choice Award

“Smith’s book is an engrossing read, full of humor, insight, and appreciation for the vision and outright zaniness that marked the only human mission to another world.” — Space Daily

“Smith’s mix of reporting and meditation is highly entertaining, and his superb book is a fitting tribute to a unique band of 20th-century heroes.” — GQ

“Moondust is an inspired idea, immaculately executed: witty, affectionate, completely captivating.” — WORD magazine

“Fascinating…We know what happened inside the Apollo, but what went on inside the astronauts’ minds? Extremely thought-provoking.” — J. G. Ballard, author of Empire of the Sun and Memories of the Space Age

“[A] fascinating book… [Smith’s] humour is underpinned by a sense of extreme danger.” — Mail on Sunday, Book of the Week (four stars)

“A rich mix of cultural history, reportage and personal reflection.” — Evening Standard

“Forget flower power, the Beatles and Beach Boys…what made the 1960s an unforgettable decade was the conquest of space.” — The Guardian, Best Books of the Season

“A crisply dramatic account.” — Sunday Telegraph

“An extraordinary book…as profoundly as any work of philosophy.” — Uncut (UK), four stars

“Smith is a graceful, easy-going writer, and this beguiling tale is replete with joyful wonder … Moondust belongs to the same “New Journalism” tradition as Tom Wolfe’s The Right Stuff.“ — London Times (Sunday)

“A wonderful collective biography written with deftness, compassion and humour.” — The Observer

‘Utterly gripping. Smith is both sympathetic and bracingly unsentimental.” — Daily Mail (London)

‘Enthralling...Smith is an ideal narrator: sharp-eyed yet increasingly affectionate about his subjects.” — Financial Times

“Riveting...so vivid you can almost smell the suburban lawns.” — Time Out London

“In an artful blend of memoir and popular history, Smith makes flesh-and-blood people out of icons and reveals the tenderness of his own heart.” — Publishers Weekly

“Spellbinding…a provocative meditation on lunar travel and humanity’s relation to space.” — Business Week

“A wild ride swerving between then and now.” — Richmond Times Dispatch

“Smith’s book succeeds…because he bungee-cords together so many intriguing digressions.” — New York Times

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Product Details

• ISBN: 9780062906694
• ISBN 10: 0062906690
• Imprint: Harper Perennial
• On Sale: 06/25/2019
• Trimsize: 5.310 in (w) x 8.000 in (h) x 0.940 in (d)
• Pages: 416
• List Price: $16.99
• BISAC1 : HISTORY / United States / 20th Century
• BISAC2 : SCIENCE / Astronomy
• BISAC3 : PHOTOGRAPHY / Astrophotography