Breaking the Chains of Gravity

The Story of Spaceflight Before NASA

De: Amy Shira Teitel

Narrado por: Amy Shira Teitel

Bloomsbury presents Breaking the Chains of Gravity written and read by Amy Shira Teitel.

The incredible story of spaceflight before the establishment of NASA.

NASA’s history is a familiar story, one that typically peaks with Neil Armstrong taking his small step on the Moon in 1969. But America’s space agency wasn’t created in a vacuum. It was assembled from pre-existing parts, drawing together some of the best minds the non-Soviet world had to offer.

In the 1930s, rockets were all the rage in Germany, the focus both of scientists hoping to fly into space and of the German armed forces, looking to circumvent the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles. One of the key figures in this period was Wernher von Braun, an engineer who designed the rockets that became the devastating V-2. As the war came to its chaotic conclusion, von Braun escaped from the ruins of Nazi Germany, and was taken to America where he began developing missiles for the US Army. Meanwhile, the US Air Force was looking ahead to a time when men would fly in space, and test pilots like Neil Armstrong were flying cutting-edge, rocket-powered aircraft in the thin upper atmosphere.

Breaking the Chains of Gravity tells the story of America’s nascent space program, its scientific advances, its personalities and the rivalries it caused between the various arms of the US military. At this point getting a man in space became a national imperative, leading to the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, otherwise known as NASA.©2022 Amy Shira Teitel (P)2022 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

The intellectual, high from just being on the same room with all these great people.

I love the accuracy and all the history behind us space flight if you have any interest in spaceflight or the history behind it, 

A great exploration of early rocketry

A great exploration of early rocketry. It was very informative. The narration by the author was excellent as well. I really enjoyed this.

I have listened to the other version...

I have listened to the other version not narrated by Amy. While not finished this time, I am enjoying this telling by Amy much more than the other narrator.
An excellent story well told!

Finished in one go

Iin my opinion very well written. Captivating And educational story. especially post war period. Highly recommend follow with Fighting for Space.

Best research and in depth presentation

Amy is the very best researcher I've ever read or listened to on where it all began leading up to the NASA we know today.