James R. Hansen Knihy

On July 20, 1969, the world stood still to watch 38-year-old American astronaut Neil A. Armstrong become the first person to step on the surface of another heavenly body. Perhaps no words in human history became better known than those few he uttered at that historic moment. This essential biography, now updated with a new chapter written after Armstrong's death, addresses the complex legacy of the First Man, as both an astronaut and an individual.--From publisher description

Through extensive interviews, the book offers an in-depth look at the life of the iconic moon lander, revealing the true story behind the legend. Aerospace author James Hansen uncovers personal insights and experiences, providing a unique perspective on a pivotal figure in space exploration. This compelling narrative is set to be adapted into a major motion picture, promising to bring the story to a wider audience.

An urgent and provocative call to action from the world's leading climate scientist.

From the New York Times bestselling author of First Man comes a sweeping saga involving two extraordinary—and extraordinarily different—adventurers who have only one thing in common: the ambition to cross the Atlantic in a rowboat . . . alone.

On July 20, 1969, the world stood still to watch thirty-eight-year-old American astronaut Neil A. Armstrong become the first person ever to step on the surface of another heavenly body. Perhaps no words in human history became better known than those few he uttered at that historic moment. Upon his return to Earth, Armstrong was honored and celebrated for his monumental achievement. He was also—as James R. Hansen reveals in this fascinating and important authorized biography—misunderstood. Armstrong's accomplishments as an engineer, a test pilot, and an astronaut have long been a matter of record, but Hansen's unprecedented access to private documents and unpublished sources and his interviews with more than 125 subjects (including more than fifty hours with Armstrong himself) yield this first in-depth analysis of an elusive American celebrity still renowned the world over. In a riveting narrative filled with revelations, Hansen vividly re-creates Armstrong's career in flying, from his seventy-eight combat missions as a naval aviator flying over North Korea to his formative transatmospheric flights in the rocket-powered X-15 to his piloting Gemini VIII to the first-ever docking in space. These milestones made it seem, as Armstrong's mother, Viola, memorably put it, "as if from the very moment he was born—farther back still—that our son was somehow destined for the Apollo 11 mission." For a pilot who cared more about flying to the Moon than he did about walking on it, Hansen asserts, Armstrong's storied vocation exacted a dear personal toll, paid in kind by his wife and children. For the thirty-six years since the Moon landing, rumors have swirled around Armstrong concerning his dreams of space travel, his religious beliefs, and his private life. In a penetrating exploration of American hero worship, Hansen addresses the complex legacy of the First Man, as an astronaut and as an individual. In First Man, the personal, technological, epic, and iconic blend to form the portrait of a great but reluctant hero who will forever be known as history's most famous space traveler.

Military reports warn that impending energy problems will endanger Western society and threaten to weaken ties between states and their citizens, undermining the very foundations of democracy and the rule of law. Energy issues will also set the stage for more aggressive geopolitics and will substantially destroy the ecosystem services on which society is wholly dependent. These are but a few of the impacts that the double energy problem of climate change and oil decline have in store for us. In this illuminating book, attorney and pragmatic visionary Roger Cox sets out and analyzes these energy stress tests, going on to explain why neither the market mechanism nor today’s political model are capable of initiating an energy revolution to solve these issues. This deadlock situation has the potential to bring about the very downfall of Western society, as this book explains, and will at the very least put Western countries at risk of committing domestic human rights violations on a scale nobody had thought to ever see again after World War II. Precisely this threat of human rights violations puts the judiciary in a position to step in and lead Western governments out of the dangerous deadlock. Drawing and expanding on examples and cases from the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Europe and the European Union, this book demonstrates that the West’s legal systems already contain all the elements needed to achieve an energy revolution faster and more effectively then any other alternative. In his book Revolution Justified Mr. Cox calls for judicial intervention to save the planet and humanity from dangerous climate change. In his opinion governments have become a danger to the wellbeing of society due to their inaction to regulate greenhouse gases. “Our best hope of averting dangerous climate change and breaking the status quo in the energy world is the law”, he poses. In 2013 Mr. Cox issued proceedings against the Dutch government on behalf of the Dutch NGO Urgenda and 900 Dutch Citizens. In June 2015 these proceedings concluded with an unprecedented and groundbreaking verdict in which the District court in The Hague ordered the Dutch government to reduce its CO2 emission by at least 25% in 2020 (compared to 1990 levels). Mr. Cox is now helping to set up a network of NGO’s and lawyers for climate proceedings in other countries. With his help and advice, similar proceedings have already been instituted in Belgium. Next to his (climate) litigation practice, Mr. Cox is heading the real estate, city development, energy and infrastructure practice at the law firm Paulussen Advocaten. Mr. Cox is also founder of the Planet Prosperity Foundation, via which he is promoting the circular economy. The Dutch Green Building Council selected Mr. Cox as one of the most influential people in sustainable real estate development. He is also listed in Trouw newspaper’s Sustainability Top 100. He is a visiting university lecturer, publishes regularly and holds seats at several business councils on sustainable development

“Young was the best engineer and best test pilot of all the astronauts of the early space age. Without question, he was the most important astronaut of the space shuttle era. He was the best ever chief of the Astronaut Office in Houston. Nobody matched him.”—Alan L. Bean “As the only astronaut to fly the Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle ships, John’s passion for safety was the signature emphasis (even obsession) of his career.”—Glynn S. Lunney “Young has been at the center of human spaceflight since the mid-1960s, and his revealing autobiography speaks to internal issues, external possibilities, and the commitment of this individual to the movement of humanity beyond earth.”—Roger D. Launius “A fascinating life.”— Space Review “An intensely enjoyable book.”— AmericaSpace.com “If you have been waiting for a book from the only moonwalker without one you will not be disappointed with Forever Young. John W. Young, with James R. Hansen, has written the epic story if his life not only of adventure, but service to his country and inspiration for the future.”— Ad Astra “An incredible read, fast paced at times with great insight into Young’s mind as he takes you with him as he soars into earth orbit and upon the vast ocean of space.”— Examiner.com