
Powering Apollo
James E. Webb of NASA
W. Henry Lambright(Author)
Johns Hopkins University Press
Published on 26. February 2000
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-8018-6205-2 (ISBN)
Description
When President Kennedy issued his well-known challenge to reach the moon and return safely before the end of the 1960s, the immediate responsibility for undertaking the task fell to 54-year-old NASA director James E. Webb. Eight years later, when the Apollo II spacecraft splashed down safely in the Pacific and the screens in NASA's Mission Control at Houston flashed the words "Task Accomplished", it was Webb who deserved much of the credit. In powering Apollo, W. Henry Lambright explores Webb's leadership role in NASA's spectacular success -- success that is rare in ambitious government policies and programs. A North Carolina native and Congressional staff member, Jim Webb had served in Congress, worked in the Truman administration, and risen to high office in the defense and energy industries by 1961 when Kennedy named him to head the new National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Examining Webb's role as both Washington insider and government program director, Lambright probes the skills and experience that equipped him to handle his enormous responsibilities.
He also shows how Webb's performance reflected important changes in twentieth century public life, including the concentration of political power in Washington; expansion of the federal bureaucracy; the rise of big science; and visions of cooperation among government, industry, and higher education.
He also shows how Webb's performance reflected important changes in twentieth century public life, including the concentration of political power in Washington; expansion of the federal bureaucracy; the rise of big science; and visions of cooperation among government, industry, and higher education.
Reviews / Votes
The reputation of James Webb is hostage to Apollo. He, more than any other single individual, made Apollo happen... This fine biography will keep his memory warm. ScienceMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Baltimore, MD
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
8 s/w Abbildungen
8 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
471 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8018-6205-2 (9780801862052)
DOI
10.56021/9780801849022
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
04/1995
Johns Hopkins University Press
€58.38
Article not available for order
Person
W. Henry Lambright is a professor of political science and public administration at the Maxwell School, Syracuse University.