Failure Is Not an Option

Mission Control from Mercury to Apollo 13 and Beyond

By: Gene Kranz

Narrated by: Danny Campbell

Length: 18 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Gene Kranz was present at the creation of America's manned space program and was a key player in it for three decades. As a flight director in NASA's Mission Control, Kranz witnessed firsthand the making of history. He participated in the space program from the early days of the Mercury program to the last Apollo mission, and beyond. He endured the disastrous first years when rockets blew up and the United States seemed to fall further behind the Soviet Union in the space race. He helped to launch Alan Shepard and John Glenn, then assumed the flight director's role in the Gemini program, which he guided to fruition. With his teammates, he accepted the challenge to carry out President John F. Kennedy's commitment to land a man on the moon before the end of the 1960s.

Kranz was flight director for both Apollo 11, the mission in which Neil Armstrong fulfilled President Kennedy's pledge, and Apollo 13. He headed the Tiger Team that had to figure out how to bring the three Apollo 13 astronauts safely back to Earth. (In the film Apollo 13, Kranz was played by the actor Ed Harris, who earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance.)

In Failure Is Not an Option, Gene Kranz recounts these thrilling historic events and offers new information about the famous flights. What appeared as nearly flawless missions to the moon were, in fact, a series of hair-raising near misses. When the space technology failed, as it sometimes did, the controllers' only recourse was to rely on their skills and those of their teammates. Kranz takes us inside Mission Control and introduces us to some of the whiz kids - still in their twenties, only a few years out of college - who had to figure it all out as they went along, creating a great and daring enterprise. He reveals behind-the-scenes details to demonstrate the leadership, discipline, trust, and teamwork that made the space program a success.

©2009 Gene Kranz (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Plenty of books (and several films) have already tried to depict the space program's excitement; few of their creators had the first-person experience or the attention to detail Krantz has, whose role as flight control "White" his readers will admire or even wish to emulate." ( Publishers Weekly)

An eye-opener to what has been forgotten.

Gene Kranz's eloquency and high level of detail makes you feel as if you're actually there in the mission control. His passion towards adventure reminds us of what we as Americans have left behind at the end of the space race. This book will make you think again about the true meaning of its title.

excellent

very informative with great detail of our early space program. i always wanted to see the behind the scenes of these great heros. well done

Simply awesome!

Space, as a subject matter, can hardly be beat. Conquering it by sheer National determination is breathtaking! This book is #1 in chronicling that history in detail and emotion.

A worthwhile read, especially for space buffs

If you want to know what went on behind the scenes in mission control while the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo astronauts made history, this is for you. My only complaint is with the narrator, who mispronounced too many words. That’s the basis for my 3 star performance rating.

A must listen for anyone remotely interested in the pioneering days of space exploration

The derailed and compelling story of the early days of the NASA space program as told from the viewpoint of a man that literally wrote the book on how to put man into space, and bring him safely back home. Whats not to like about THAT story. Trust me, well worth your time to listen to this one.

Great recounting of a unique time in the history of the American Space program

Each persons recounting is unique and special. Gene Kranz was in a central position in the story and his perspective is an important one. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Growing up through this time I have always been fascinated by and wished I could have participated. Gene brings the story of mission control and the people who made it work to life.

Gene Kranz is amazing

Story was riveting. Listening as Kranzs story unfolded around the early days of space exploration was one of the best books I've listened to.

failure is not an opction

Muy recomendable detalka todas las misiones desde el comienzo de la carrera espacial y todo lo que sufrieron los astronautas y la Nasa para poder lograr el sueño de alcanzar lo qie antes se consideraba imposible

A wonderful story told beautifully.

The story of the space race as told from inside mission control. This beautifully told story illustrates the right stuff that was part of the American race to space.

Gene talks about his experiences and impressions dr the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions. The technical detail and log book like rebelling of the missions recreates the wonder, enthusiasm and menace of NASA's missions. Placing the events in political context adds a depth and honesty to a work.

The only downside is the extensive use of acronyms throughout. Although the folks involved would have mastered the various abbreviated names rapidly during the months of planning and training, I found that nearly listening, I struggled to master all the acronyms on the trot. Fortunately I am able to listen again as this is definitely a book that will will be listened to more than once.

A Great Story written by an Outstanding Man

What did you like best about this story?

I was fascinated by the story of the missions, but Kranz's "voice" as an author carried this out of the ballpark. He's inspiring in his lack of ego, his obvious respect for his team, and his respect for the missions. I love hearing about this time of great triumph told by a man who doesn't revel in himself, but in what we as a people were able to do.

I highly recommend this. I didn't find it dry, in the least. A basic knowledge of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions will make this more exciting, as you will already have the astronauts' stories-- the story of the huge team behind them becomes even more important.

Kranz as a person is the greatest part of this for me. I found it to be a kind of "self help" book in that he models so many qualities that we might strive to have, but it's not boring like self-help books, nor is it egotistical. (I think of those self-congratulatory tomes and TED talks in which people tell me all about how great they are in the guise of telling me how to be a better person.)

For Kranz, we are in it for each other, for our nation -- for the mission -- not for ourselves. We admit to our mistakes, and we work to do better constantly. Failure is not an option in that context.

Great story! Great book! Great author!

Darned exciting stuff, too! It inspires.

The Audible narration is right on the money, too.