Gus Grissom: A Space Biography (Countdown to Space)

Bredeson, Carmen

ISBN 10: 0894909746 ISBN 13: 9780894909740

Publisher: Enslow Pub Inc, 1998

Synopsis

A biography of one of America's first seven astronauts, focusing on the training and career of Gus Grissom, who died in a fire aboard Apollo I in 1967.

About this title

From Kirkus Reviews

The ill-fated life of astronaut Virgil ``Gus'' Grissom is recounted in this latest entry to the Countdown to Space series aimed at less proficient readers. One of the original Mercury 7 astronauts, Grissom's mission- -the second space shot, following Alan Shepard--ended on a shocking note when the door to his one-man capsule blew off prematurely, nearly drowning Grissom during recovery. Later, as the first astronaut to pilot the two-passenger Gemini spacecraft (the Molly Brown), Grissom found glory. The sky no longer seemed the limit when Grissom was named to the crew of Apollo 1; his death, with his two crewmates, in a fire that swept through the command capsule, set the program back for years, forcing NASA to initiate more efficient safety measures. By including plenty of quotes from Grissom and his wife in the narrative, Bredeson adds immediacy and warmth to this history of one of the US's first space travelers-- the men who self-deprecatingly referred to themselves as ``spam in a can.'' (b&w photos, not seen, chronology, notes, glossary, further reading, index) (Biography. 9-14) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8ABrief, well-written accounts of individuals who have participated in the NASA space program. Focusing primarily on astronaut training, career experience, and space flights, these easy-to-read texts are well documented and include quotes from the subjects. Black-and-white and full-color photos appear throughout. These are excellent introductory biographies that could easily be used for reports or recreational reading. While there are numerous titles available about the early U.S. space missions, there are few biographies for this audience on the original seven Mercury astronauts. Gus Grissom's achievements and tragic death make for compelling reading. Kramer's book is similar in coverage to June Behrens's Sally Ride (Children's Press, 1984; o.p.) and Carolyn Blacknall's Sally Ride (Dillon Press, 1984; o.p.). However, it has a more skillful balance of high-interest material with a scholarly objectivity consistent with its carefully cited text and list of sources.APhyllis Graves, Creekwood Middle School, Kingwood, TX
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Enslow Pub Inc
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0894909746
• ISBN 13: 9780894909740
• Binding: Library Binding
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 48