Apollo 12 : The Nasa Mission Reports (Paperback)

It comprises: Apollo 12 Press Kit, Pre launch Mission Operation Report, Post Launch Mission Operation Report #1, and most importantly, the Apollo 12 Technical Crew Debriefing (formerly classified Confidential). A packed CD ROM containing interviews, NASA films and mission stills is also included.

Apollo 12,14 and 16 have never received much attention and this publication provides the long overdue "how it was done" and "what it was like" story of Apollo 12 from a 1969 perspective. The in flight press conference on the CD ROM is also particularly entertaining. Whilst the Press Kit and Pre launch reports cover similar, and in many cases old ground, they also contain much that is new and of interest, including good pictures of sleeping arrangements on page 45 and "The Snowman" on page 81.

However, this would not be a review without critisism. It would appear that the debriefing is not an illustrated document, and to liven it up the editor has inserted a selection of training and mission stills. The problem is that although these still carry their NASA designations, I suspect that most readers have neither the time or capabillity to chase them up. Good old fashioned captions would be more appropriate. We know that these are NASA reports and do not need cosmetic "officialising" of them. A personal plea from me. On future mission CD ROMs please include plenty of landing audio and video (I suppose that from PDI is too much to ask for - how about from P64).

All in all, if you've read the others, Robert GODWIN's latest is his best. If you haven't, and have any interest in real space flight, read this.

The book takes you back to the 60`s for a "before and after" view of the mission using the NASA-issue press kit from the period . By today`s slick standards , the material may look somewhat stilted but it gives you a feel for the times and is a good historical and authentic snapshot of an era of spaceflight when every new mission was pushing back the boundaries of humans` acheivement and endeavour .

I would`nt say that the book is a gripper , but it`s not supposed to be ! Anyone who wants to know more than most of the current crop of Apollo books will tell you about the technical guts and background of the mission will find much of interest and value .

The accompanying CD is great , especially the lengthy interview with CMP Dick Gordon , where he talks about the mission , the men and his views on ISS , etc . One thing which stands out is the fact that a generation has passed since the Apollo era - Gordon looks stately in old-age when recounting his recollections! With the death this July of fellow mission member Pete Conrad , this resource becomes all the more valuable .

This book (and any of the others , all of which follow the same format) deserves a place on the bookshelf of any space-history devotee , alongside the astronaut`s own works which allow us insight into the human and more personal side of the American space program in the 60`s and 70`s.