July 16 — the date of the Apollo 11 launch — is an anniversary I celebrate every year. And this year, it’s a big one.
I wasn’t even born when these three headed off to the moon, but I’ve read enough about them that I feel a strong sense of connection.
Now it’s been 50 years since the world watched them take off on July 16, and it doesn’t seem possible that it could’ve been that long ago.
Anyway… let’s talk Apollo 11 books.
Here, in my opinion, are the best of the bunch…
Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut’s Journeys by Michael Collins
Michael Collins is my favorite of all astronauts, and his book is far and away the best astronaut memoir I’ve ever read.
A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts by Andrew Chaikin
The basis for the mini-series From the Earth to the Moon, and so wonderfully human-centric.
An up close and personal account of the astronauts
So yes, there are big photographic retrospectives being published, and they’re so worth a look. But to find out who these people are… the wordy books are really the way to go.
So, my fellow space geeks (I know you’re out there!)… what are your favorite books about the Apollo program?
I wasn’t born when the moon landing happened either. But I love reading about it. Those men were so fearless to do what they did! (Especially with the limited technology that they had at the time.)