Sex on the Moon

The Amazing Story Behind the Most Audacious Heist in History

By: Ben Mezrich

Narrated by: Casey Affleck

Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Thad Roberts, a fellow in a prestigious NASA program had an idea - a romantic, albeit crazy, idea. He wanted to give his girlfriend the moon. Literally.

Thad convinced his girlfriend and another female accomplice, both NASA interns, to break into an impregnable laboratory at NASA - past security checkpoints, an electronically locked door with cipher security codes, and camera-lined hallways - and help him steal the most precious objects in the world: the moon rocks.

But what does one do with an item so valuable that it’s illegal even to own? And was Thad Roberts - undeniably gifted, picked for one of the most competitive scientific posts imaginable, a possible astronaut - really what he seemed?

Mezrich has pored over thousands of pages of court records, FBI transcripts, and NASA documents and has interviewed most of the participants in the crime to reconstruct this Ocean’s Eleven-style heist, a madcap story of genius, love, and duplicity that reads like a Hollywood thrill ride.

©2011 Ben Mezrich (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Movie-worthy treatment to the guy who stole moon rocks from NASA" ( The New York Daily News)

"An in-depth look at Thad Roberts, who along with three other NASA interns, stole pieces of lunar rock to impress his girlfriend. Mezrich has done extensive research to recreate the story of how an aspiring astronaut ended up getting caught for stealing over 100 pieces of the moon." ( The Atlantic Monthly)

"Mezrich has uncovered another high-stakes, fascinating true story....part love story, part madcap caper, part astro-geekery, the book is one of the summer's most fun reads." (NPR)

Subject is well researched and presented.

Would you try another book from Ben Mezrich and/or Casey Affleck?

Yes for both. Ben Mezrich does an excellent job in researching and presently complicated topics in an understandable manner. I am a big fan of Casey Affleck's work as an actor and am glad to see he is sharing his talents with a broader audience.

If you’ve listened to books by Ben Mezrich before, how does this one compare?

This is my first Ben Mezrich book.

What about Casey Affleck’s performance did you like?

First his clarify of speech was excellent; no mumbles or swallowed sentences. Secondly, he clearly captured the characters and was able to bring out the nuances of the text by proper voice and tonal inflection.

Do you think Sex on the Moon needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No - subject was well covered.

Fascinating character

What about Casey Affleck’s performance did you like?

He brings the scenes to life. Feels like watching a movie with Thad played by Casey Affleck (in his Bob Ford days). It’s a role right up his alley.

Any additional comments?

At first, learning about Thad’s achievements after he decided to become a astronaut, I thought this is like the back story of Mark Watney! I was filled with dread as I listened on, wondering what happened that derailed him from his path to become Mark Watney. In the end I’m still not sure, but it’s a fascinating journey.

Excellent

Excellent book. Casey Affleck did an incredible job narrating. I will definitely recommend this book!

Very interesting story

there was a tremendous amount of dialogue that clearly had to be recreated. having the dialogue made the story much more engaging, But it also made it feel a little bit like fiction. you are left wondering what really happened and what was really said. also, the epilogue left open a few questions regarding the main character's girlfriend. The author should have answered those obvious questions or indicated why he couldn't answer. I could be more specific but I don't want to be a spoiler.

Great book

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Loved the book! It was a little slow at times but pretty much kept my attention!

Would you recommend Sex on the Moon to your friends? Why or why not?

Yeah

What does Casey Affleck bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Keeps attention. You belive that he is the one who experienced the events.

Could you see Sex on the Moon being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No

Any additional comments?

No

Insider NASA Tale

Would you consider the audio edition of Sex on the Moon to be better than the print version?

Yes, the planning of and the execution of the heist was exciting to listen to. It was like being there in real time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sex on the Moon?

My heart was really thumping on the night they went after the moon rocks.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Casey Affleck?

Yes, if the story was this good.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Fly Me To The Moon would definitely have to be in the soundtrack.

Any additional comments?

Intriguing behind the scene peek at Johnson Space Center.

Interesting story strange perspective

Very interesting story but odd perspective. The author chooses to cast the protagonist in a positive light in spite of the fact he planned and committed a crime. The crime was spectacular, but people were hurt and careers altered. Interesting listen but also curious in the writing.

Audacious indeed.

What did you love best about Sex on the Moon?

The fact that it is a true story made it hard to stop listening. Loved the main character, Thad Roberts.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sex on the Moon?

The actual heist.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Since I had seen Casey Affleck movies, the narration felt like a movie.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It is probably the first book where I sided with the person who is portrayed as the bad guy - Thad Roberts and disliked the person who is portrayed as the hero - Axel Emmermann.

Entertaining but not "WOW"

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

If you have the capability, listen at double speed. I read a lot of the comments before downloading and was hesitant. I felt like Casey Affleck's pace was too slow to keep me interested long enough. At double speed (on iPhone it is faster but not pitched higher) I hardly noticed it was double speed.

If you’ve listened to books by Ben Mezrich before, how does this one compare?

Again, at double speed, it was better than not. However, I remember enjoying Bringing Down the House a bit more.

What three words best describe Casey Affleck’s performance?

Pace too slow.

Did Sex on the Moon inspire you to do anything?

Remind me to keep a close eye on my college-bound son.

Good listening

Would you consider the audio edition of Sex on the Moon to be better than the print version?

Yes, i'm driving all the time

What other book might you compare Sex on the Moon to and why?

Flawless, is also a big heist

Which scene was your favorite?

The actual heist at 31 building

If you could give Sex on the Moon a new subtitle, what would it be?

A text on Love and dreams