Apollo

View other editions of Apollo.
View books by Alan Bean, Andrew Chaikin, John (Int) Glenn.

Oh now this is a bargain! - Rated
I bought this book at full price a couple of years ago and Amazon UK had to import it from Amazon.com. I had the incredible good fortune to be sent a signed copy (absolutely genuine, I've researched it very carefully) and it's a fine book. Al Bean's paintings are, to be fair, not the most engaging works in the Universe and probably inspire the viewer far more in their original form but nevertheless this book contains some good images and evocative text. At the price Amazon is currently selling the book I might even buy another because it's a steal! I'll bet they're not autographed anymore though...

A Wonderful Apology - Rated
Al Bean pointed the camera at the Sun and suddenly Apollo 12 was reduced to a radio show. At the age of 9, I was really disappointed that I wasn't going to see astronauts on the moon again.

Many years later, this book makes up for that, and then some.

Add some words from Andrew Chaikin's and you have a book that is just perfect.

Simply Fantastic! - Rated
I actually bought the collector`s signed edition of the book, which have I enjoyed immensely from the outset and have fondly perused on many a day since.

What a fantastic perspective this book gives of the spirit and feelings of a man who has such a key place in moon exploration history, being the fourth man to put his footsteps there.

Apollo officianados will know that Apollo 12 (Bean`s mission) was unusual in that it was the only one not to rely heavily on TV pictures from the surface of the moon. Rather ironically, Bean pointed the camera towards the sun shortly after it was deployed, thereby burning it out! His own efforts to record both himself and his mission commander (the ebullient Pete Conrad) in a joint, remotely taken shot where also frustrated when a timing device that he had intended to use on his Hasselblad stills camera was lost in a sample bag.

So much more is it therefore appropriate that this book puts into one place his briliant canvasses. He may not be a "master" but his art is original both in source and content. He captures the enormity and emotion of the events portrayed, which is no mean task given the nature of his subject matter. How used are we all to seeing feelings so clearly set out on the faces of characters? What crucial role does colour play? The landscape or spacecraft reflected in the visor of the astronaut, or his subtle use of colour (which does not in fact show itself on the surface in reality) convey the meaning that could so easily be lacking from the work of an artist without his unique and currently unrepeatable experiences.

Not only does the book show his own mission (also describing it in text accompanying the pictures) but most of the canvasses reproduced are of the other five landings, so this book is not just an ego jaunt for the author.

If you have an interest in space history, this book will be a superb asset to your collection.

In suggest you should also invest in Light`s immensely impressive "Full Moon" to compare the reality of the astronaut`s own photographs with Bean`s recreations. This is a very interesting exercise, given that Bean makes no bones about the fact that some of his canvasses are based on well-known surface pictures, for example, of John Young and Gene Cernan on Apollo 16 and 17 respectively.

A fine collection of paintings from one who was there! - Rated
We have seen many of the photos, but now, we have a different perspective of the greatest journey of exploration in the history of man. Al Bean seems to be just as good an artist as he was an astronaut. Bean displays some of his great work depicting important moments from the 6 missions to land on the moon. For every painting there is an explanation so the reader knows what they are looking at. From Dave Scott and his Galileo demonstration to the first moonwalk of Neil Armstrong, Al Bean has done some paintings that make this book a gem. I highly encourage any person who is interested in space exploration, art or American History to buy this book. Al Bean has done a fantastic job!

An inspiring view of the Apollo program - Rated
I have read all of the Apollo astronauts' accounts of their journeys, and this book adds something different. Alan Bean gives a unique view of the United States' greatest adventure. His paintings renewed my excitement for our space program. The narratives that go with the paintings are genuine and speak to every American. This book will inspire young people to be proud of our space achievements--a quality that both the news media and our politicians sorely lack these days. Bean's love of the space program is displayed by the colors and settings of his works. Many times, Bean reminds us that Apollo was an act of all of America, not just the astronauts. From a space enthusiast's point of view, we need more books like this!