How to Make a Spaceship: A Band of Renegades, an Epic Race, and the Birth of Private Spaceflight

Name: How to Make a Spaceship: A Band of Renegades, an Epic Race, and the Birth of Private Spaceflight
SKU: 86994
Availability: InStock

4.6 | 366 ratings

Price: 17.72

Last update: 06-30-2024

Top reviews from the United States

Anonymous

An Excellent and Inspiring Read

Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2016

I thought I knew this story as well as anyone. I was wrong. Guthrie's rich narrative took me through the details surrounding the dawn of private, manned spaceflight in a way that was both extremely informative and thoroughly engaging. It was easily one of the most readable non-fiction works I've come across in years. I came into the story with considerable bias, as all of the major players in the story are acquaintances, and, in some cases, great friends. I was even lucky enough to have been an invited guest at the first XPRIZE launch in Mojave, but I discovered from the first few pages that I could relax and enjoy the ride. I very rarely write reviews, and almost never hand out five stars as that implies an all-but-unattainable level of perfection. In this case, however, in spite of 2 or maybe 3 tiny factual errors (I wouldn't be an aviation/space nerd if I hadn't found SOMETHING), the book clearly deserves it.

It was extremely enjoyable, thoroughly inspiring, and merits my highest recommendation.

Amazon Customer

A great read.

Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2016

A great read, The story weaves together half a dozen character-driven threads. It's all about a cast of large characters: Peter Diamandis (the promoter), Burt Rutan (aeronautics prodigy), John Carmack (software genius), Erik Lindbergh (son of the great aviator), Michael Melvill and Brian Binnie (test pilots). The story brings to life the competition that led to the first reusable commercial suborbital spaceflights, My personal favorite is Burt Rutan. His creations have been amazingly innovative. One of my favorite scenes has MIke Melvill riding on top of the Rutan Raptor UAV prototype, flying it back to base like a some old-time cowboy. The book is packed with great stuff. The winning flights, of course, are the high points of the story. You've got to love the professionalism, determination, calm and expert piloting under pressure of both Melvill and Binnie. The Right Stuff indeed.

Ace Rimmer

The Final Frontier

Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2017

Really interesting piece on the history (happening now) of private enterprise putting man into space. Enjoyed it a lot.

Amazon Customer

Get this book for students in your life!

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2017

I have several teacher friends who said they were using this book in their classrooms, so I decided to give it a read. I LOVED it. The story is filled with the men and women who should be our mentors in society today. You have a boy (Peter Diamandis) who dreamed of space, another (Burt Rutan) who loved planes more than anything and goes on to make history. You have a grandson of Charles Lindbergh who finds his life transformed as he gets involved in this shared dream. You have test pilots who embody bravery. You have an amazing woman - an engineer named Anousheh Ansari- who comes in and rescues the whole effort. Great story. The writing was beautiful. I want to give this book to every student I know - and to adults who are looking for purpose and inspiration in their lives.

Christi McAdams

A TOOL TO INSPIRE YOU TO TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR DREAMS

Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2016

What is the purpose of life if you don't fulfill your dreams? All to often our dreams fade as we get older and experience failure. Do you have a dream you wish to make come true? Did you have a dream but deserted it somewhere along the way? “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”
' Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
How To Make A Spaceship is not only the story of Peter Diamandis, XPrize and the privatization of spaceflight, it is the tool to help inspire anyone make their dream come true and to forge ahead even when success doesn't seem likely. It's a reminder that you might hear "NO" 100 times before you get to a "YES". It's a REAL LIFE example of having a vision and seeing it through. It practically puts you in the pilot's seat. You feel the butterflies in your stomach like drops in altitude as your heart sinks with every rejection and celebrates with every victory. It's a must read for entrepreneurs and anyone who wants to take life by the control wheel and land the life they deeply desire. A HUGE thank you to Peter, Eric, Burt and all their supporters and the deepest, heartfelt appreciation to the author, Julian, for bringing this story of courage to the public which will surely inspire for generations.

A reader

Quick & Inspiring Read on the Beginnings of the Private Spaceflight Industry & the Role of Prizes in Driving Innovation

Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2017

A must read to learn how and why the commercial spaceflight industry was launched. This is a fast-paced, hard-to-put-down and engaging book with a fascinating cast of characters. The author makes spaceflight accessible by focusing in on the human stories behind the technological and economic aspects of the beginnings of this industry and by keeping the technical material to a few footnotes. This book will inspire teens, adults and also anyone trying to work outside of government to achieve goals that have formerly been reserved to the bureaucracy. The focus on prizes as catalysts for innovation is also fascinating. Enjoy!

KenE

A Great Well Written Story

Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2017

I love reading about people who take action, believe in their dreams and succeed in spite of insurmountable odds. The author creates a story that encompasses this event from conception through success and provides details of how it all happened. I never realized how many people it took to create the XPRIZE and to get the first privately owned craft to space. This is truly an inspiring story. The author has done a very good job of presenting the story in an easy to read book that keeps your interest throughout.

I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the author's other books.

Right Reader

Liked it a lot

Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2016

Good review of the X-Prize and the characters that pursued it. Not sure where else you could find this story.

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