We Reach the Moon; The New York Times Story of Man's Greatest Adventure

New York: Bantam Books, 1969. Third Printing. Mass market paperback. Good. 18 cm. xix, [1], 331, [1] pages. Wraps. Illustrations (some in color--"Souvenir Space Album"). Cover soiled. Some pages discolored. John Noble Wilford (born October 4, 1933[1]) is an author and science journalist for The New York Times. Wilford's professional career began at The Commercial Appeal in Memphis. Following his military service, he was a medical reporter at the Journal from 1959 to 1961. In 1962, he joined Time as a contributing editor specializing in science before moving in 1965 to The New York Times to be a science reporter (1965-1973) and science correspondent (1979-2008). While at the NYT he also worked as assistant national news editor (1973-1975) and director of science news (1975-1979). In 1969, he wrote the newspaper's front-page article about the Apollo 11 landing. His was the only byline on the front page, beneath the headline "Men Walk On Moon." Wilford received the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for work on "scientific topics of national import". On July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 was launched into outer space. Its destination: the moon. Four days later, the spiderlike Lunar Module touched down on the moon's forbidding surface. It rested there for almost seven hours before Neil A. Armstrong made man's first footprint on the moon. He was followed some 20 minutes later by Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. On July 24, the space capsule became a fiery ball for a few breathtaking moments as it hurtled into the earth's atmosphere. Then the parachutes opened and Apollo 11 splashed down in the Pacific. Here, in words and stunning pictures, is the story of man's boldest achievement -- brilliantly captured for now and for future generations.