Young Adult Nonfiction : Disaster Strikes by Jeffrey Kluger & Captured by Alvin Townley
ABOUT THE BOOK
There are so many amazing, daring, and exciting missions to outer space that have succeeded. But for every success, there are mistakes, surprises, and flat-out failures that happen along the way. In this collection, bestselling author and award-winning journalist Jeffrey Kluger recounts twelve such disasters, telling the stories of the astronauts and the cosmonauts, the trials and the errors, the missions and the misses.
With stories of missions run by both Americans and Russians during the height of the space race, complete with photos of the people and machines behind them, this book delves into the mishaps and the tragedies, small and large, that led humankind to the moon and beyond.
REVIEW
Kruger takes the reader on a rather fascinating journey through some of the major failures that the Space Race produced. The pressure to succeed sometimes led to poor decisions being made. Twelve disasters are presented in this book, including missions developed by both the Americans and the Russians. Some of these disasters I had heard of, such as the loss of Apollo 1 and its three astronauts, Apollo 13, and the Challenger explosion. Other missions I was unfamiliar with such as the Apollo 12 mission involving a lightning strike, the unlucky mission of Soyuz 1 (Russian), and the Italian astronaut who almost drowned in his spacesuit in 2013. Each chapter focuses on one mission and summarizes beautifully the events leading up to the mission. The known causes of each disaster are included which helps make them more understandable. The book is well-written and deals with an intriguing topic while pointing out the dangers of allowing politics and competition to force missions before they should have occurred. A very engaging, well-written account of disasters that would, ideally lead us to make better decisions now.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Naval aviator Jeremiah Denton was shot down and captured in North Vietnam in 1965. As a POW, Jerry Denton led a group of fellow American prisoners in withstanding gruesome conditions behind enemy lines. They developed a system of secret codes and covert communications to keep up their spirits. Later, he would endure torture and long periods of solitary confinement. Always, Jerry told his fellow POWs that they would one day return home together.
Although Jerry spent seven and a half years as a POW, he did finally return home in 1973 after the longest and harshest deployment in US history.
Denton's story is an extraordinary narrative of human resilience and endurance. Townley grapples with themes of perseverance, leadership, and duty while also deftly portraying the deeply complicated realities of the Vietnam War in this gripping narrative project for YA readers.
REVIEW
I'll admit that while I found this book an incredible account of the American prisoners-of-war in Vietnam, specifically Jeremiah Denton, it was also difficult to read. The way the prisoners were treated for most of the war sickened me, making it difficult to keep reading. I did finish the book and it's a powerful account of determination, endurance, and maintaining hope in the face of horrible conditions. I would not however recommend this to readers younger than high school. Even some young adults might have a hard time with some of the content in this book. If you have a reader though who wants a realistic look at the nastiness of war, the book shows that clearly and convincingly.
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