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When I first saw this book, I was very excited. I am always looking for new perspectives on the early space program, and this sounded perfect. I'd never heard of Darrell Loan before, so I was eager to read his story. I expected this to be in the same vein as Günter F. Wendt's biography, or perhaps Chris Kraft's book.

But this book. . . My God, this book. . .

If I listed every technological and historical error in this book, this review would be pages long. Some of the "facts" the author presents are so inaccurate it makes my head hurt. I hope to God that someone doesn't read this book and actually believe everything the author says. Basic fact checking would have eliminated a great number of these errors. I feel it is an unforgivable sin for a writer to botch facts when there are tons of resources out there with the correct information.

I feel the author's writing style actually took away from the story of Mr. Loan. In the author's effort to tell an exciting and adventurous tale, he lost track of Mr. Loan's story. The whole book feels inauthentic.

I have no doubt that Mr. Loan's actual story is fascinating, but this book is a poor way to share his story with the world.
… (mer)
 
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LISandKL | 1 annan recension | Aug 6, 2015 |
Surrounded by Thunder: The Story of Darrell Loan and the Rocketmen isn't another survey of astronauts who participated in space programs, but focuses on the rocket scientists who actually helped make these journeys happen. So while it's a recommendation for any collection strong in space science or history; don't expect another 'I was an astronaut' saga here (that's already been overdone): Surrounded by Thunder offers so much more.

Under a different hand, Surrounded by Thunder could have proved overly technical, focusing on the science behind space program history, which also has been done before. But this seeks to capture the atmosphere of the space program in general and Darrell Loan's life and contributions in particular: as such, it's a gathering of vivid insider stories, details about space program engineering history and challenges, and behind-the-scenes stories such as how the Mercury Seven were chosen for their mission. The author conducted extensive interviews with these pioneering scientists to document NASA'S heady, early days; but his provides these details in an unusually lively format accessible to a wide audience.

Each chapter reads with the immediacy and vivid description of fiction, yet packs in a blend of 'you are there' reports from newspapers with interview results and fun truths about snafus and unexpected long-range successes.

While Darrell Loan is the rocket man given specific consideration here, coverage includes a range of events involving a team of rocket men over the history of the world's space programs, placing all of them in proper historical and scientific perspective.

So don't look for the usual story of 'how I became an astronaut' or 'what it was like to walk on the moon.' DO look for a behind-the-scenes exposé narrated in an unusually lively style that succeeds in injecting humor and human insights into its blend of history and biographical profiles.

Surrounded by Thunder recently won the coveted gold medal for non-fiction in the 2013 Florida Book Awards: this is a good indicator of its award-winning contents!
… (mer)
 
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DDonovan | 1 annan recension | Feb 5, 2015 |
In Lost and Found by Tom Williams, two scientists, Peter Clopec and Brian Pauliss, are employed by Odessa Petroleum Consultants to search for oil deposits on the earth from outer space via satellite. However, the satellite’s task was doomed from the start. The density of oil at the distance from which the satellite orbits the earth is unreadable, and the CEO of the company had knowingly rigged the project in order to scheme up some insider-trading. He aims to bring down the satellite and the company with it, but not without first selling off all his stock.

Clopec and Pauliss are fired. Spiked with a wee bit of alcohol while drowning their sorrows, the two scientists have a “eureka” moment. They know how they can save the company. They break into OPC that very evening and brilliantly recalibrate the satellite to detect the density of another equally valuable resource: GOLD.

Later, as planned, the CEO sabotages the satellite and brings its orbit low enough to send it careening into the earth’s atmosphere and forever dashing the hopes of OPC investors. Little does he know that the two men had already found ninety seven anomalies, gold deposits across the earth, treasures lost from shipping vessels and ancient empires dating back as far back as King Midas, the legendary Byzantine emperor.

On this premise begins a adventure which harps back to the days of treasure hunting and pirates, but with a modern twist. The scientists aren’t out for gold for the sake of greed, but rather as proof and redemption for their work and the people and investors of the OPC company. To complicate their mission however, they’ll have to contend with one of the most hateful antagonists I think I’ve encountered in literature. William’s vivid portrayal of Cedric Bowles makes you grit your teeth and your hackles stand up. He invokes fear and loathing, apprehension, concern for the outcome of the other characters, and with enough venom to measure up to the densely compacted plot.

I found Tom William’s story built up into a crescendo in all the right places and most of it was so gripping that I didn’t want to put the book down. His writing has that magic quality, the ability to transport the reader effortlessly. When a writer achieves this, the reader’s imagination becomes fully engaged with the story so words on a page pass hardly detectable beneath the eye. The reader no longer delineates black words on white paper, but rather internalizes full action and emotion. With Lost and Found, you will arrive at this true entertainment level, the apex of good fiction.

Lost and Found is the perfect book for anyone who likes action and adventure, characters rich with three-dimensionality, so real you know them in no time, and the kind of suspense that compels you to read eagerly. The adventure of Peter Clopec and Brian Pauliss are fraught with obstacles, murder, arson, romantic rivalry, an ancient curse and even a little natural disaster, as they travel from the Gulf states halfway around the world for just a sample of the gold to prove their case. Williams is a master storyteller in that he unfolds all of this high drama with the excitement of a James Bond movie, but when all is said and done, he delivers their story as a simple one of daring, intellectual bravery and a triumph of friendship and love over greed.

Will we see more of Peter Clopec and Brian Pauliss? After all, the satellite has detected ninety-five more anomalies to be explored…
… (mer)
 
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TheQuillGuild | 1 annan recension | Jun 9, 2010 |
A captivating story about a modern-day treasure hunt. The story covers one of man’s favorite pastimes – searching for gold, but with the distinct advantage of today’s technology, satellites!!
They have a corrupt boss, and beautiful salvage captain, and travel. The characters travel to Turkey and there follows a quest for the riches that is fun, intriguing and non-stop action, filled with unpredictable twists and turns. In the exciting race for the treasure, the cast of characters battle a treacherous storm, an earthquake, a tsunami, and each other. A pleasurable read!!… (mer)
 
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Judymac45 | 1 annan recension | Oct 28, 2008 |

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Statistik

Verk
2
Medlemmar
8
Popularitet
#1,038,911
Betyg
4.0
Recensioner
4
ISBN
120
Språk
3