Overview

"Soon to be a major motion picture, this is the first--and only--definitive authorized account of Neil Armstrong, the man whose ""one small step"" changed history.When Apollo 11 touched down on the Moon's surface in 1969, the first man on the Moon became a legend. In First Man, author James R. Hansen explores the life of Neil Armstrong. Based on over fifty hours of interviews with the intensely private Armstrong, who also gave Hansen exclusive access to private documents and family sources, this ""magnificent panorama of the second half of the American twentieth century"" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) is an unparalleled biography of an American icon. In this ""compelling and nuanced portrait"" (Chicago Tribune) filled with revelations, Hansen vividly recreates Armstrong's career in flying, from his seventy-eight combat missions as a naval aviator flying over North Korea to his formative trans-atmospheric flights in the rocket-powered X-15 to his piloting Gemini VIII to the first-ever docking in space. For a pilot who cared more about flying to the Moon than he did about walking on it, Hansen asserts, Armstrong's storied vocation exacted a dear personal toll, paid in kind by his wife and children. For the near-fifty years since the Moon landing, rumors have swirled around Armstrong concerning his dreams of space travel, his religious beliefs, and his private life. A penetrating exploration of American hero worship, Hansen addresses the complex legacy of the First Man, as an astronaut and as an individual. ""First Man burrows deep into Armstrong's past and present...What emerges is an earnest and brave man"" (Houston Chronicle) who will forever be known as history's most famous space traveler."

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9781501153068

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Reviews

Hansen does a fine job of retelling Armstrong's childhood and remarkable career in aviation. The NASA years have been covered in many other books, but Hansen manages to keep them fresh, benefiting from Armstrong's perspective. . . . As Hansen shows, the way Armstrong chooses to carry the heavy burden of history only proves once again that he has the right stuff. --Brian Hicks, The Post and Courier Hansen's research is staggeringly impressive. . . . A work that has great appeal for anyone interested in why we explore, who we are in this aerospace age, and what it was about the United States that could enable a little kid from Wapakoneta, Ohio, to take that 'one small step' at Tranquility Base in the summer of 1969. A must read!!! --Richard P. Hallion, chief historian for the U.S. Air Force Jim Hansen has captured the essence of Neil Armstrong, not only as the first man on the Moon, but also as an outstanding aviator and astronaut. I was there for Neil's other major 'space step'--he recovered Gemini 8 from the ultimate end game with aggressive action, cool skill and creative judgement seldom performed in any aviation or space endeavor. Just 16 days after the deaths of the Gemini 9 crew, he probably saved the Moon. Jim Hansen has written an exceptional and accurate account of a unique period in aerospace history and the adventures of Neil Armstrong. --Dave Scott, Gemini VIII, Apollo 9, Commander, Apollo 15 To understand Armstrong on his own terms is to see a large truth of our time . . . [Hansen's] mastery of detail is put to splendid use. The narrative of the moon mission is crisp and dramatic, the science clear. He deftly takes us back into those few days of global fascination with the adventure of the three distant voyagers and the tense uncertainty about how it would turn out. . . . I finished Hansen's Apollo story with a wholly fresh sense of awe at the magnitude of NASA's achievement . . . a compelling and nuanced portrait of the astronaut. --James Tobin, Chicago Tribune A powerful, unrelenting biography of a man who stands as a living testimony to everyday grit and determination . . . A must for astronaut buffs and history readers alike. --Publishers Weekly, starred review Ever since Apollo 11's 'one giant leap for mankind' in 1969 the world has wondered who Neil Armstrong really is. Now, at last, Jim Hansen has stripped away the myths and mysteries to bring us face to face with the man himself. This definitive portrait offers many new and fascinating details about Armstrong and his life and about the momentous and unforgettable era of exploration in which he was lucky enough--and talented enough--to play a key role. --Andrew Chaikin, author of A Man on the Moon Masterfully written . . . technically accurate, scholarly yet independent and accessible . . . Mission accomplished and a perfect touchdown. --Leonard David, Ad Astra, The Magazine of the National Space Society Armstrong opened his entire life to Hansen. . . . Thanks to Hansen, future historians will know more about the man than the fact he was first. --Robert Pearlman, founder and editor of collectSpace.com [A] taut, well-told tale of our nation's race to the moon and the man who took the first step. --Doug Allyn, The Flint Journal Let it be said at once that his book is an outstanding success. . . . Immaculately researched and packed with detail, but written in a way that will appeal to readers of all kinds. . . . This is an important book, and should be in every scientific library. --Sir Patrick Moore, London Times Educational Supplement This impressively documented and engagingly written biography will stand the test of time. --Library Journal A great read. --The Kansas City Star

Ever since Apollo 11's 'one giant leap for mankind' in 1969 the world has wondered who Neil Armstrong really is. Now, at last, Jim Hansen has stripped away the myths and mysteries to bring us face to face with the man himself. This definitive portrait offers many new and fascinating details about Armstrong and his life and about the momentous and unforgettable era of exploration in which he was lucky enough--and talented enough--to play a key role. --Andrew Chaikin, author of A Man on the Moon [A] taut, well-told tale of our nation's race to the moon and the man who took the first step. --Doug Allyn, The Flint Journal Let it be said at once that his book is an outstanding success. . . . Immaculately researched and packed with detail, but written in a way that will appeal to readers of all kinds. . . . This is an important book, and should be in every scientific library. --Sir Patrick Moore, London Times Educational Supplement Jim Hansen has captured the essence of Neil Armstrong, not only as the first man on the Moon, but also as an outstanding aviator and astronaut. I was there for Neil's other major 'space step'--he recovered Gemini 8 from the ultimate end game with aggressive action, cool skill and creative judgement seldom performed in any aviation or space endeavor. Just 16 days after the deaths of the Gemini 9 crew, he probably saved the Moon. Jim Hansen has written an exceptional and accurate account of a unique period in aerospace history and the adventures of Neil Armstrong. --Dave Scott, Gemini VIII, Apollo 9, Commander, Apollo 15 To understand Armstrong on his own terms is to see a large truth of our time . . . [Hansen's] mastery of detail is put to splendid use. The narrative of the moon mission is crisp and dramatic, the science clear. He deftly takes us back into those few days of global fascination with the adventure of the three distant voyagers and the tense uncertainty about how it would turn out. . . . I finished Hansen's Apollo story with a wholly fresh sense of awe at the magnitude of NASA's achievement . . . a compelling and nuanced portrait of the astronaut. --James Tobin, Chicago Tribune A powerful, unrelenting biography of a man who stands as a living testimony to everyday grit and determination . . . A must for astronaut buffs and history readers alike. --Publishers Weekly, starred review Hansen does a fine job of retelling Armstrong's childhood and remarkable career in aviation. The NASA years have been covered in many other books, but Hansen manages to keep them fresh, benefiting from Armstrong's perspective. . . . As Hansen shows, the way Armstrong chooses to carry the heavy burden of history only proves once again that he has the right stuff. --Brian Hicks, The Post and Courier Masterfully written . . . technically accurate, scholarly yet independent and accessible . . . Mission accomplished and a perfect touchdown. --Leonard David, Ad Astra, The Magazine of the National Space Society Hansen's research is staggeringly impressive. . . . A work that has great appeal for anyone interested in why we explore, who we are in this aerospace age, and what it was about the United States that could enable a little kid from Wapakoneta, Ohio, to take that 'one small step' at Tranquility Base in the summer of 1969. A must read!!! --Richard P. Hallion, chief historian for the U.S. Air Force Armstrong opened his entire life to Hansen. . . . Thanks to Hansen, future historians will know more about the man than the fact he was first. --Robert Pearlman, founder and editor of collectSpace.com A great read. --The Kansas City Star This impressively documented and engagingly written biography will stand the test of time. --Library Journal

To understand Armstrong on his own terms is to see a large truth of our time . . . [Hansen's] mastery of detail is put to splendid use. The narrative of the moon mission is crisp and dramatic, the science clear. He deftly takes us back into those few days of global fascination with the adventure of the three distant voyagers and the tense uncertainty about how it would turn out. . . . I finished Hansen's Apollo story with a wholly fresh sense of awe at the magnitude of NASA's achievement . . . a compelling and nuanced portrait of the astronaut. --James Tobin, Chicago Tribune A powerful, unrelenting biography of a man who stands as a living testimony to everyday grit and determination . . . A must for astronaut buffs and history readers alike. --Publishers Weekly, starred review Ever since Apollo 11's 'one giant leap for mankind' in 1969 the world has wondered who Neil Armstrong really is. Now, at last, Jim Hansen has stripped away the myths and mysteries to bring us face to face with the man himself. This definitive portrait offers many new and fascinating details about Armstrong and his life and about the momentous and unforgettable era of exploration in which he was lucky enough--and talented enough--to play a key role. --Andrew Chaikin, author of A Man on the Moon Hansen does a fine job of retelling Armstrong's childhood and remarkable career in aviation. The NASA years have been covered in many other books, but Hansen manages to keep them fresh, benefiting from Armstrong's perspective. . . . As Hansen shows, the way Armstrong chooses to carry the heavy burden of history only proves once again that he has the right stuff. --Brian Hicks, The Post and Courier Masterfully written . . . technically accurate, scholarly yet independent and accessible . . . Mission accomplished and a perfect touchdown. --Leonard David, Ad Astra, The Magazine of the National Space Society Hansen's research is staggeringly impressive. . . . A work that has great appeal for anyone interested in why we explore, who we are in this aerospace age, and what it was about the United States that could enable a little kid from Wapakoneta, Ohio, to take that 'one small step' at Tranquility Base in the summer of 1969. A must read!!! --Richard P. Hallion, chief historian for the U.S. Air Force Armstrong opened his entire life to Hansen. . . . Thanks to Hansen, future historians will know more about the man than the fact he was first. --Robert Pearlman, founder and editor of collectSpace.com [A] taut, well-told tale of our nation's race to the moon and the man who took the first step. --Doug Allyn, The Flint Journal Let it be said at once that his book is an outstanding success. . . . Immaculately researched and packed with detail, but written in a way that will appeal to readers of all kinds. . . . This is an important book, and should be in every scientific library. --Sir Patrick Moore, London Times Educational Supplement Jim Hansen has captured the essence of Neil Armstrong, not only as the first man on the Moon, but also as an outstanding aviator and astronaut. I was there for Neil's other major 'space step'--he recovered Gemini 8 from the ultimate end game with aggressive action, cool skill and creative judgement seldom performed in any aviation or space endeavor. Just 16 days after the deaths of the Gemini 9 crew, he probably saved the Moon. Jim Hansen has written an exceptional and accurate account of a unique period in aerospace history and the adventures of Neil Armstrong. --Dave Scott, Gemini VIII, Apollo 9, Commander, Apollo 15 A great read. --The Kansas City Star This impressively documented and engagingly written biography will stand the test of time. --Library Journal

Historian James Hansen...expertly combines the saga of Armstrong with the historical background of America's introduction to the Age of Space. An excellent book. --Captain James A. Lovell, Commander, Apollo 13 A fine authorized biography brimming with groundbreaking research, fresh anecdotes and fair-minded analysis. . . . Hansen should be commended for decoding the enigmatic Armstrong: a space hero short on words but sky-high on Midwestern integrity. --Douglas Brinkley The New York Times Book Review For Americans who lived through it all, and for those who came later and can't imagine such an achievement, First Man is compelling reading. --Thomas Walton Toledo Blade A lot of us have been waiting a long time for a book like this one, and it was well worth the wait. . . . Will likely stand as the definitive biography of Neil Armstrong. --Tom D. Crouch, Senior Curator, Aeronautics, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution Hansen capably captures both Armstrong's expertise and his Garbo-like demurral of fame. --Gilbert Taylor Booklist Thoroughly researched... incredibly detailed . . . Hansen's attention to detail serves the story well, relaying the difficulty and danger inherent in the Apollo program. Along with this comes an understanding of Neil Armstrong himself. --Howard Shirley Bookpage First Man burrows deep into Armstrong's past and present. . . . What emerges is an earnest and brave man. --Mark Carreau Houston Chronicle Armstrong raises the mirrored visor for the first time. --Bo Emerson, Theresa K. Weaver The Atlanta Journal-Constitution More than the most complete story of Armstrong's remarkable life, [ First Man ] is a fascinating study of how the modern world treats a historical figure . . . Hansen does a fine job of retelling Armstrong's childhood and remarkable career in aviation. The NASA years have been covered in many other books, but Hansen manages to keep them fresh, benefiting from Armstrong's perspective . . . As Hansen shows, the way Armstrong chooses to carry the heavy burden of history only proves once again that he has the right stuff. --Brian Hicks The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC) Historian James Hansen expertly combines the saga of Armstrong with the historical background of America's introduction to the Age of Space. An excellent book. --Captain James A. Lovell, Commander, Apollo 13 Most of the astronauts books are about the adventure. Jim Hansen s well-researched and documented book is about the adventurer. First Man is a compelling story of a modern day Columbus, which provides the rare opportunity to understand the personal qualities driving explorers. Quiet, complex, and deep, Armstrong, as fuel was running out, was the right man at the right time to take America and the world to the surface of the moon--Eugene F. Kranz, Author, Failure is not an Option To understand Armstrong on his own terms is to see a large truth of our time . . . [Hansen's] mastery of detail is put to splendid use. The narrative of the moon mission is crisp and dramatic, the science clear. He deftly takes us back into those few days of global fascination with the adventure of the three distant voyagers and the tense uncertainty about how it would turn out. . . . I finished Hansen's Apollo story with a wholly fresh sense of awe at the magnitude of NASA's achievement . . . a compelling and nuanced portrait of the astronaut. --James Tobin, Chicago Tribune A powerful, unrelenting biography of a man who stands as a living testimony to everyday grit and determination . . . A must for astronaut buffs and history readers alike. --Publishers Weekly, starred review Ever since Apollo 11's 'one giant leap for mankind' in 1969 the world has wondered who Neil Armstrong really is. Now, at last, Jim Hansen has stripped away the myths and mysteries to bring us face to face with the man himself. This definitive portrait offers many new and fascinating details about Armstrong and his life and about the momentous and unforgettable era of exploration in which he was lucky enough--and talented enough--to play a key role. --Andrew Chaikin, author of A Man on the Moon Hansen does a fine job of retelling Armstrong's childhood and remarkable career in aviation. The NASA years have been covered in many other books, but Hansen manages to keep them fresh, benefiting from Armstrong's perspective. . . . As Hansen shows, the way Armstrong chooses to carry the heavy burden of history only proves once again that he has the right stuff. --Brian Hicks, The Post and Courier Masterfully written . . . technically accurate, scholarly yet independent and accessible . . . Mission accomplished and a perfect touchdown. --Leonard David, Ad Astra, The Magazine of the National Space Society Hansen's research is staggeringly impressive. . . . A work that has great appeal for anyone interested in why we explore, who we are in this aerospace age, and what it was about the United States that could enable a little kid from Wapakoneta, Ohio, to take that 'one small step' at Tranquility Base in the summer of 1969. A must read!!! --Richard P. Hallion, chief historian for the U.S. Air Force Armstrong opened his entire life to Hansen. . . . Thanks to Hansen, future historians will know more about the man than the fact he was first. --Robert Pearlman, founder and editor of collectSpace.com [A] taut, well-told tale of our nation's race to the moon and the man who took the first step. --Doug Allyn, The Flint Journal Let it be said at once that his book is an outstanding success. . . . Immaculately researched and packed with detail, but written in a way that will appeal to readers of all kinds. . . . This is an important book, and should be in every scientific library. --Sir Patrick Moore, London Times Educational Supplement Jim Hansen has captured the essence of Neil Armstrong, not only as the first man on the Moon, but also as an outstanding aviator and astronaut. I was there for Neil's other major 'space step'--he recovered Gemini 8 from the ultimate end game with aggressive action, cool skill and creative judgement seldom performed in any aviation or space endeavor. Just 16 days after the deaths of the Gemini 9 crew, he probably saved the Moon. Jim Hansen has written an exceptional and accurate account of a unique period in aerospace history and the adventures of Neil Armstrong. --Dave Scott, Gemini VIII, Apollo 9, Commander, Apollo 15

Author Information

James R. Hansen is a professor emeritus of history at Auburn University. A former historian for NASA, Hansen is the author of twelve books on the history of aerospace and a two-time nominee for the Pulitzer Prize in History. His 1995 book Spaceflight Revolution was nominated for the Pulitzer by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the only time NASA ever nominated a book for the prize. He serves as coproducer for the upcoming major motion picture First Man, which is based on his New York Times bestselling biography of Neil Armstrong. Hansen lives in Auburn, Alabama.

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