Author: Lawrence E. Lamb, M.D.

ISBN: 1-933538-39-2

Rumors will be forever going around about the "moon landing" -- did we really get there? If so, why, if there is no oxygen, did the flag blow as if by wind? Why did the astronaut's boots kick up moon dust, but the landing modular sat on smooth moon dust -- wouldn't the rockets have kicked up as much or more of that dust? There's one rumor that, for many years, was hard to put to rest -- that about Deke Slayton -- disgruntled astronaut who was never to command a mission. It wasn't his performance, his attitude, or his abilities that kept him from soaring among the stars. It was his heart condition that kept him grounded.

"Inside the Space Race" is Dr. Lawrence Lamb's accounting of those early days -- when we were attempting to be the first at everything, including being the pioneer on the moon. Dr. Lamb was there, as a space surgeon, and this is his diary of the events that changed, shaped, and propelled our country to that blacker-than-black, airless, antigravity place known as "space."

Dr. Lamb -- columnists, scientist, and professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, "developed the program that enabled the United States to beat the Soviets and send astronauts to the moon," met the men who were the pioneers and heroes, and conversed with Generals, dignitaries, and Presidents. He is the man-in-the-know and has graciously shared private moments, thoughts, and little known actual events.

I learned why John Glenn's flight was almost canceled, how the Soviets reacted to space, and discovered more about national security satellites. "Inside the Space Race" is well documented with correspondence, pictures, and actual medical documents. The most surprising piece of information, for me, was found at the very beginning of the book -- President John F. Kennedy had actually written a condolence note to the Glenn family in case John Glenn did not survive his flight. Although the event did not unfold in disaster, it clearly shows the government has "contingency plans."

From "the war in space," to "the eagle has landed," I could not put this book down. It was my most memorable time in history -- the moon landing in black and white on the television to President Kennedy's assassination -- Dr. Lamb filled in gaps that I never knew existed.

The book has high-gloss pages, is hardbound, and retails for $20.95 -- worth every penny.

 The above review was contributed by: Sue Vogan, Writer & Author of NCO-No Compassion Observed: To read more of Sue's reviews Click Here