protomattr reviewed Apollo 13 by Robert Godwin
Review of 'Apollo 13' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This book contains a comprehensive collection of original NASA source material related to Apollo 13, including a detailed press kit, which describes how the Apollo/Saturn system works from a high-level, and what the mission was intended to do; pre- and post-mission reports, containing timely executive-summary-level information; crew debriefing, where Lovell, Haise, and Swigert report on all phases of the mission, in addition to the accident; Congressional hearings; review board findings and report. All of this is accompanied by contemporaneous diagrams and photos, which assist the reader in understanding the problem and the effort to uncover the root cause. A CD-ROM, mostly containing photos and videos is included, though it is likely better versions are available today. There is also an abort/separation procedures document which I have not looked at closely.
Reading this book, one can't help but come away completely awed by the sheer ingenuity, complexity, and audacity of Apollo. …
This book contains a comprehensive collection of original NASA source material related to Apollo 13, including a detailed press kit, which describes how the Apollo/Saturn system works from a high-level, and what the mission was intended to do; pre- and post-mission reports, containing timely executive-summary-level information; crew debriefing, where Lovell, Haise, and Swigert report on all phases of the mission, in addition to the accident; Congressional hearings; review board findings and report. All of this is accompanied by contemporaneous diagrams and photos, which assist the reader in understanding the problem and the effort to uncover the root cause. A CD-ROM, mostly containing photos and videos is included, though it is likely better versions are available today. There is also an abort/separation procedures document which I have not looked at closely.
Reading this book, one can't help but come away completely awed by the sheer ingenuity, complexity, and audacity of Apollo. Simply orchestrating so many people, in various organizations from government to the smallest subcontractor to academia, etc. is a feat in itself. And then to bring this aligned effort to bear on so monumental an endeavor as to send humans to the moon, successfully, several times, and do all the science and so forth, is an accomplishment rivaled by few, if any, instances in history.
Apollo 13 serves as an exemplary mission in many ways because of the accident. In addition to the heroic efforts of everyone on the ground to bring the astronauts home, it highlights how a well-run program can adapt and actually improve when faced with adversity. Less than two months after Apollo 13 returned, the review board conducted an investigation and submitted a report, including recommendations for fixing the problem. Apollo 14 was delayed by only 4 months, and the remaining missions, with more capability, longer stays, etc. completed successfully. The Apollo era continues to inspire.