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First Sentence
I guess when it comes to space and aviation, I've seen and done a lot in fifty years. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Index
I guess when it comes to space and aviation, I've seen and done a lot in fifty years. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Index
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
DEKE! A great book filled with interesting and insider facts about America's space program.Written by one of the original seven who was unfairly denied his flight.
DEKE! goes further than other astro bio's by explaining further missions like Skylab and early shuttle development and testing.
Its one of those books that you just can't put down!
The only downside, and it's a small one, is that Deke goes into a lot of detail about his upbringing and past career as a fighter pilot in WW2. That aside though, its a great book well worth reading.
DEKE! goes further than other astro bio's by explaining further missions like Skylab and early shuttle development and testing.
Its one of those books that you just can't put down!
The only downside, and it's a small one, is that Deke goes into a lot of detail about his upbringing and past career as a fighter pilot in WW2. That aside though, its a great book well worth reading.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Slayton's time at NASA stretched from the early Mercury days through the heady Apollo missions right up to the commercial space shuttle flights, so a comprehensive insight into pretty much all the US manned space flight programme is provided. Of equal interest are the pages devoted to Deke's test pilot days and, earlier, his wartime experiences. The picture emerges of an unbelievably experienced and skillful pilot who remained at the cutting edge of aviation/space science for most of his life. This book should appeal to anyone with an interest in space, NASA, or aircraft.
The book reads very easily, with the author's chatty and informal style adding an element of modesty lacking in many other astronaut biographies. One minor criticism would be that the last chapter or so - dealing with commercial satellite operations - drags a bit, and seems rather boring and business-like in comparison with the rest of the book.
The saddest thing is that the author died before this excellent book was completed, never experiencing the satisfaction of seeing his life story in print.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Deke is the autobiography of Deke Slayton, one time grounded astronaut and the man who constructed the crews that enabled Kennedy's challenge to be fulfilled. For an Apollo enthusiast like myself, the opening chapters (about Deke's early life) were hard work but the book comes to life when Deke tells the story of his role in Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Skylab. There are many anecdotes and facts I'd never come across before, and his views on some astronauts are revealing. There did seem to be a clique at NASA during the Apollo years of management favourites (eg McDivitt, Borman et al) and Deke! explains some of the reasons why.
Deke finally got into space on the Apollo-Soyuz Mission in 1975, and there is an enjoyable chapter on that subject.
Sadly, Deke died in 1993, and his name is not widely known, but he played as big a part as anyone in the greatest technological feat of the 20th century. A good choice for anyone following up an interest in the early years of space travel.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
quite good
quite good - Deke's ego shines quite brightly through this; as do the tensions between the Original 7 Mercury Astronauts. Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2009 by Jane Gould
The Pinnacle of Space Books
I would have to say that this book, more than any other, is one I have read and referred to many times over. Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2007 by Colin Burgess
Comprehensive and interesting. No pictures though.
Deke Slayton was involved in the NASA space program from the late 1950s until the early 1980s, so this biography covers a lot of ground: Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and the... Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2006
Indispensable for students of Apollo
For anyone with a deep interest in Mercury/Gemini/Apollo, this book is a must read. It provides excellent insight into the test pilot perspective on the space program. Read more
Published on 5 Jun 1999
A fine book
This is perhaps the finest book written by one of our astronauts. Deke was the unsung hero of the original seven; without hime their would have been no moonwalks. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 1999
A fine book
This is perhaps the finest book written by one of our astronauts. Deke was the unsung hero of the original seven but without hime their would have been no moonwalks. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 1999
Wow!
Deke Slayton writes about NASA, the shuttle, and the moon with clarity, enthusiasm, and experience. Read more
Published on 26 Aug 1998
No Holds Barred Look at the Space Program from the top
Good biography of an often overlooked major player in America's race to the moon. Slayton shoots straight from the hip, telling the reader what he thinks -- calling a spade a... Read more
Published on 9 Dec 1996
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