Breaking the Chains of Gravity
Ratings2
Average rating3.5
15
Ratings2
Average rating3.5
Looks at the evolving roots of America's space program--the scientific advances, the personalities, and the rivalries between the various arms of the United States military. After the Soviet launch of Sputnik in 1957, getting a man in space suddenly became a national imperative, leading President Dwight D. Eisenhower to pull various pieces together to create the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
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I had decent expectations from this book. I read a lot of books that discuss the dawn of the space age. I haven't yet read a book that focuses so much on Wernher von Braun, though his name naturally makes an appearance in any space book about this era. Breaking the Chains of Gravity certainly keeps a spotlight on him and I was actually disappointed that the rest of the information was largely summarized rather than deeply explored given the title alludes to this era as a whole.
The book has a mechanical and technological focus going through the history of rockets and the scientists behind them. This information is good, though I noticed inconsistencies (particularly historic dates) with other books and what has become general knowledge for me through my reading. It also leaves a nasty elephant in the room and almost minimizes von Braun's connection to the Nazi party. I understand this book aims to look through a technological lens, but it's hard to look past the fact there was a lot of unmentioned human experimentation going on with enslaved prisoners. I don't know the extent of von Braun's moral story and I'd been hoping through this book to gain more insight, instead, I walked away feeling like everything had been justified. I'll believe the claims that he was trapped into joining the party, but that doesn't mean it will ever sit right with me personally. I'd rather read an account that plainly discusses the good as well as the bad.
Aside from this, the rest of the book was interesting enough. I do like the technical side of things. Under these circumstances, I think I would have taken a dryer telling that didn't include much about the members behind the innovations. I do believe there is a time and place to discuss both sides but the way it was presented here just didn't work for me. I would need to read deeper into von Braun's life to solidify my opinion.
