RED MOON RISING Sputnik and the Hidden Rivals That Ignited the Space Age

This book tells the behind-the-scenes story of Sputnik, the first satellite launched into Earth orbit, and the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The story starts with the race for German technology, especially that of the German rocket scientists of WWII and moves through the beginning of the Cold War. The book offers a unique view of the geopolitics of the 1950s, and both history and space buffs will find it fascinating. However, the author tells the story in, at times, almost excruciating detail. This slows down the narration. Reader Charles Stransky is solid. He varies his tone and pace to good effect. And his pronunciation of Russian terms and names is crisp and clear. R.C.G. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 08]