From the wisdom of the Babylonians to the intrigues of the Cold War, from the otherworldly discoveries of Galileo to the dark legacy of Nazi atrocities, from the exhilarating trajectories of astronauts―recounted in their own words―to the unsung brilliance of engineers working behind the scenes, Moonbound captures the grand arc of the Space Age.
Providing the historical and scientific context gives this book a heft and depth ... The use of art, the unique capabilities of the graphic format, are deployed to their best advantages here. Even the most scientifically averse will find these pages compelling, the drama of the storytelling carrying the reader through the scientific and philosophical details. The drawings of Galileo's moons are especially lovely ... In this wide-ranging story of exploration, Fetter-Vorm captures both the mystical pull of the moon and the many men and women who worked hard to understand and reach it. This is a complex story, many strands woven together into a brilliantly compelling blend of words and pictures, taking the reader into their own voyage of exploration.
Deftly avoiding the trap of teleology, Fetter-Vorm alternates...historical vignettes—visually distinct in their monochromatic representation—with vibrantly colored scenes from inside Apollo 11 and on the lunar surface ... This commitment to accuracy and detail are at their best inside the Apollo 11 command module, Columbia ... Through deep engagement with the latest historical scholarship, Fetter-Vorm commemorates the mission without simplifying it ... Accessible to young adults but enjoyable for readers of all ages, Moonbound educates while it entertains.
Fetter-Vorm...employs a keen eye for detail that captures pivotal moments and technological breakthroughs into telling graphic images ... A well-paced yet deep look at the path that led to the first man on the moon, including the early lunar myths, philosophies and fantasies that predated it. Appropriate for those interested in the history of space flight and 20th-century culture.
