Apollo and America's Moon Landing Program - Aiming At Targets - The Autobiography Of Robert C. Seamans, Jr. (NASA SP-4106) Incisive Commentary on Apollo, the Apollo 1 Fire, Space Program Management

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Physics, Astronomy, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government
Cover of the book Apollo and America's Moon Landing Program - Aiming At Targets - The Autobiography Of Robert C. Seamans, Jr. (NASA SP-4106) Incisive Commentary on Apollo, the Apollo 1 Fire, Space Program Management by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781465937803
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: December 1, 2011
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781465937803
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: December 1, 2011
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

This official NASA history document - converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction - was written by one of the giants of the Apollo program, Robert C. Seamans, Jr., the Associate Administrator of NASA from 1960 through 1967. He tells fascinating accounts of critical moments in the program, including the Kennedy decision to go to the moon, JFK's assassination, Lyndon Johnson's support of the effort and interest in using astronauts for overseas good will tours, struggles over budgets and personnel, the aftermath of the tragic Apollo 1 fire, controversies over Congressional testimony and media statements, his relationship with NASA Administrator Jim Webb, and much more.

The foreword by Willis Shapley, "Bob Seamans originally was inspired to write this book for his family and friends. That is a large audience. By his own count his immediate family numbers twenty-four, not counting brothers and cousins and their families. His friends are uncounted but surely run to hundreds. As one of them and as a colleague at NASA, I am pleased and honored that he asked me to write this foreword. While written in Bob's unique and informal style, this autobiography has significance for many readers beyond his large circles of family and friends. Leaders and students of large, complex technological endeavors should be able to learn much from reading how Bob faced the daunting technical and management challenges in his career. As the title of this book implies, Bob has always set high goals for himself and then kept his eyes focused on both the necessary details and the broader picture. His ability to shift smoothly among jobs that required seemingly disparate abilities and skills speaks volumes about his insight, dedication, and enthusiasm for achievement. The book spans a truly remarkable life story. Bob first takes us through his growing up, education, and early professional and family life. Next he focuses on the crucial years when he was the general manager of NASA. Then he moves on to his career in the top jobs at the Air Force, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Energy Research and Development Administration. Finally, he touches on his later leadership activities in the academic and business worlds. Aiming at Targets is a series of fascinating topical vignettes covering his professional life. Taken together, like broad brushstrokes in an impressionist painting, they give a better picture of Bob Seamans and his work than a detailed recitation of facts and dates could hope to do. This is a cheerful account of an interesting and successful career. The book is full of good stories, with many memorable characters. Like the proverbial sundial, it counts the sunny hours. It is a good read. But it has its serious side. Bob's career wasn't all fun. The Apollo 204 fire, which killed three astronauts, was a terrible climax to his time at NASA. As one who lived through those days with him, I can recall the trauma and special sense of responsibility he felt. His account of this period and of the sad deterioration of his relationship with his boss, Jim Webb, is both fair and generous. Those were not happy times, but they should not be allowed to overshadow the fact that in his seven years at NASA, Bob Seamans led the agency to its first successes and laid the groundwork for the greater successes that came later."

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This official NASA history document - converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction - was written by one of the giants of the Apollo program, Robert C. Seamans, Jr., the Associate Administrator of NASA from 1960 through 1967. He tells fascinating accounts of critical moments in the program, including the Kennedy decision to go to the moon, JFK's assassination, Lyndon Johnson's support of the effort and interest in using astronauts for overseas good will tours, struggles over budgets and personnel, the aftermath of the tragic Apollo 1 fire, controversies over Congressional testimony and media statements, his relationship with NASA Administrator Jim Webb, and much more.

The foreword by Willis Shapley, "Bob Seamans originally was inspired to write this book for his family and friends. That is a large audience. By his own count his immediate family numbers twenty-four, not counting brothers and cousins and their families. His friends are uncounted but surely run to hundreds. As one of them and as a colleague at NASA, I am pleased and honored that he asked me to write this foreword. While written in Bob's unique and informal style, this autobiography has significance for many readers beyond his large circles of family and friends. Leaders and students of large, complex technological endeavors should be able to learn much from reading how Bob faced the daunting technical and management challenges in his career. As the title of this book implies, Bob has always set high goals for himself and then kept his eyes focused on both the necessary details and the broader picture. His ability to shift smoothly among jobs that required seemingly disparate abilities and skills speaks volumes about his insight, dedication, and enthusiasm for achievement. The book spans a truly remarkable life story. Bob first takes us through his growing up, education, and early professional and family life. Next he focuses on the crucial years when he was the general manager of NASA. Then he moves on to his career in the top jobs at the Air Force, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Energy Research and Development Administration. Finally, he touches on his later leadership activities in the academic and business worlds. Aiming at Targets is a series of fascinating topical vignettes covering his professional life. Taken together, like broad brushstrokes in an impressionist painting, they give a better picture of Bob Seamans and his work than a detailed recitation of facts and dates could hope to do. This is a cheerful account of an interesting and successful career. The book is full of good stories, with many memorable characters. Like the proverbial sundial, it counts the sunny hours. It is a good read. But it has its serious side. Bob's career wasn't all fun. The Apollo 204 fire, which killed three astronauts, was a terrible climax to his time at NASA. As one who lived through those days with him, I can recall the trauma and special sense of responsibility he felt. His account of this period and of the sad deterioration of his relationship with his boss, Jim Webb, is both fair and generous. Those were not happy times, but they should not be allowed to overshadow the fact that in his seven years at NASA, Bob Seamans led the agency to its first successes and laid the groundwork for the greater successes that came later."

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: OPFOR Opposing Force Organization Guide (FM 7-100.4) - Nation State Forces, Operational, Tactical, Paramilitary, Noncombatants, Order of Battle by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 2014 President Barack Obama's Speech to the United Nations about the Islamic State (IS) and America's War Against ISIS / ISIL Terrorism, Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, Ebola Outbreak by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Communicating Airpower: Strategic Communication and the United States Air Force Since 9/11, Comparison to Navy Public Affairs, Iraq and Afghanistan, Foreign and Domestic Audiences, Tanker Scandal by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Ballistic Missile Submarines of the United States and the Soviet Union: A Comparison of Systems and Doctrine - Excellent History of SSBN, SSB, SLBM Missiles and Subs, Nuclear Weapon Systems by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS): Role of DoD Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Homeland Security - Border Security, History of UAVs (Remotely Piloted Aircraft - RPA, Drones) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Opposing Force Operations Field Manual - FM 7-100.1 (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book In Their Own Words: The 498th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) in Iraq, 2003 - Insightful Commentary by MEDEVAC Helicopter Unit Supporting U.S. Marines, Communications Issues, Power Line Dangers by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Defense Department Nuclear Safety and Security Documents: Transportation of Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Weapons Transportation Manual by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Airlift Doctrine: Comprehensive History from pre-World War II, World War II, Vietnam, to the Modern Era, Air Mobility, National Strategy, Airlift at Risk, the Future of Airlift Doctrine by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Chinese Navy: Expanding Capabilities, Evolving Roles - Senkakus, Taiwan, Diaoyu, Paracel, Spratly Islands, Fishery Disputes, Vessels and Equipment, Submarines, Ships, Aircraft by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Essential Eisenhower: World War II General and President - Comprehensive Collection of Histories and Studies of Life, Education, War Record, and Presidency, Strategic Leadership, Judgment, Thought by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Wegener’s Granulomatosis Sourcebook: Clinical Data for Patients, Families, and Physicians - Diagnosis, Testing, Treatment, Drugs, Vasculitis and Related Autoimmune Diseases by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Giving Up Terrain: The U.S. Armed Force's Failure to Control Inland Waterways in the 21s Century - Projecting Seapower into the Brown Water Environment, Riverine Operations, Littorals, Vietnam, Iraq by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Army National Guard (ARNG) Special Forces (SF) Units: The Standard and the Future - Special Operations for Unconventional Warfare, Core Competencies, Soldier's Personal Perspective by Progressive Management
Cover of the book History of the Airborne Forward Air Controller (FAC), Mosquito Aircraft, Joint Air Tasking Doctrine, World War I and II, Korea, Vietnam War, Marine Corps, Kosovo, War on Terror, A-10, F-16, F-14, F-18 by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy