Teitel explores the fascinating history of one of the most crucial space flight innovations that made the Apollo moon landings possible. * How it Works * Teitel illuminates the foundations of American spaceflight with this exceptional and detailed prehistory of the field fascinating new territory, filled with a galaxy of lively characters. * Publishers Weekly * Breaking the Chains of Gravity tells the story of how we began to explore the cosmos the lessons we had to learn the hard way and shows why space exploration even today remains anything but routine. -- Bobak Ferdowsi, Flight Director, Mars Science Laboratory The Space Race wasn't all about tall, silvery rockets and moon landings. Before America and Russia squared off in an expensive race for glory, a number of quirky, inventive personalities pursued their own goals, with little support. Often facing ridicule for ideas that seemed outlandish to most, they nevertheless laid the foundations for humanity's greatest achievements. Amy Shira Teitel ably chronicles these early efforts to reach beyond our home planet. -- Francis French, author of In the Shadow of the Moon Teitel delivers on detail, such as the exploits of supersonic-flight pioneer Chuck Yeager. * Nature * A really compulsive story, excellently and engagingly told, effortlessly carries the burden of fact and detail with as much deceptive ease as a Redstone Rocket. * Adventures in Historyland (blog) *
