The Space-Age Presidency of John F. Kennedy : A Rare Photographic History

"In this engaging and inspiring work, John Bisney and J.L. Pickering have written and illustrated a thorough history of John F. Kennedy's role in developing the United States' space program. Ironically, despite his close association with the race to space, Kennedy initially thought the space program was too expensive and did not support a manned space flight until the Russians sent Yuri Gagarin into orbit just a few months after Kennedy's inauguration. Now, a century after Kennedy's birth, the United States has reached the moon, sent probes into deep space, and had its astronauts spend extended time in space, all of which are a legacy of Kennedy's presidency. Surprising, though, there hasn't been a photographic history of Kennedy's involvement in the space race despite the visual glamour associated with the space race and Kennedy's presidency until this engaging book by two widely respected chroniclers of the race to space"-- Read more... "In this engaging and inspiring work, John Bisney and J.L. Pickering have written and illustrated a thorough history of John F. Kennedy's role in developing the United States' space program. Ironically, despite his close association with the race to space, Kennedy initially thought the space program was too expensive and did not support a manned space flight until the Russians sent Yuri Gagarin into orbit just a few months after Kennedy's inauguration. Now, a century after Kennedy's birth, the United States has reached the moon, sent probes into deep space, and had its astronauts spend extended time in space, all of which are a legacy of Kennedy's presidency. Surprising, though, there hasn't been a photographic history of Kennedy's involvement in the space race despite the visual glamour associated with the space race and Kennedy's presidency until this engaging book by two widely respected chroniclers of the race to space"-- Provided by publisher This engaging and unprecedented work captures the compelling story of President Kennedy's role in shaping the United States space program, set against the Cold War with the Soviet Union. The stunning collection of photographs, documents and artifacts illustrates Kennedy's close association with the race to space during his storied time in office. In addition to the exhaustive research and rare photographs, many unpublished, the authors have also included excerpts from Kennedy's speeches, news conferences, and once-secret White House recordings to provide the reader with more context through the president's own words. While Kennedy did not live to see the fruition of many of the endeavors he supported, his legacy lives on in many ways--many of which are captured in this important work. Forward by Dr. Christopher C. Kraft Jr. This engaging and unprecedented work captures the compelling story of John F. Kennedy's role in advancing the United States'space program, set against the Cold War with the Soviet Union. The stunning collection of history and photographs crafted by authors John Bisney and J. L. Pickering illustrates Kennedy's close association with the race to space during his legendary time in office. In addition to the exhaustive research and rare photographs, the authors have also included excerpts from Kennedy's speeches, news conferences, and once-secret White House recordings to provide the reader with more context through the president's own words. While Kennedy did not live to see the fruition of many of the endeavors he supported, his legacy lives on in many ways—many of which are captured in this important work. Foreword / Christopher C. Kraft Jr. -- Introduction / John Bisney -- 1961 : "here we are behind" -- February 1962 : "the kind of American of whom we are the most proud" -- March-August 1962 : "we are glad to see you again" -- September 11, 1962 : "do you think we have bitten off more than we can chew?" -- September 12, 1962 : "but why, some say, the moon?" -- October-December 1962 : "I'm not that interested in space" -- January-August 1963 : "there are great frontiers still to be crossed" -- September-November 1963 : "space has lost a lot of its glamour" -- November 21, 1963 : "this space effort must go on" -- In remembrance : "for the eyes of the world now look into space." Captures the compelling story of John F. Kennedy's role in advancing the US's space program, set against the Cold War with the Soviet Union. The stunning collection of history and photographs crafted by authors John Bisney and J.L. Pickering illustrates Kennedy's close association with the race to space during his time in office.