FROM APOLLO TO ARTEMIS: STORIES FROM MY 50 YEARS WITH NASA By Herb Baker Book Review

Rare insights inside NASA’s space operations through the eyes of Herb Baker, a dedicated NASA employee who worked from the early Apollo missions all the way to the Artemis programs.

Spoiler-Free Plot:

FROM APOLLO TO ARTEMIS: STORIES FROM MY 50 YEARS WITH NASA is a memoir by Herb Baker following his journey at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, from the 1960s to the present day.
Herb Baker narrates his own story, from growing up near an air base and going to school with the kids of astronauts to more than 50 years of experience at NASA.
Baker tells the stories of the Apollo missions and the developments in NASA while encouraging readers to pursue STEM education. He also tells about his experience handling billion dollar contracts to provide services for NASA.

My Take on FROM APOLLO TO ARTEMIS: STORIES FROM MY 50 YEARS WITH NASA:

“Don’t be afraid to fail. Be more committed to your dreams than you are to your comfort zone.”

Herb Baker

Herb Baker’s personal memoir, FROM APOLLO TO ARTEMIS: STORIES FROM MY 50 YEARS WITH NASA,explores several themes, such as the evolution of NASA and the hard work and teamwork of the employees who made different programs successful. He also gives readers a glimpse into the critical aspects of the agency.

Baker highlights his personal and professional growth in the book. Starting his career in his early teens, he narrates the lives of technicians to astronauts, sharing the hidden challenges they face.

He encourages readers to learn from failures and keep working hard while promoting STEM education.

Baker writes in a personal first-person perspective, which allows readers to deeply connect with the experiences of workers inside the agency. He has an engaging style, using a light and straightforward tone throughout the book.

“I am not an astronaut, engineer, or scientist. I worked in business/procurement as a contracting officer and office manager. My book is about people, events, and what it’s like to work at NASA.”

The pacing of the book suits the genre. Baker creatively writes about different decades at NASA while keeping the book fun and short. He also focuses on delicate details.
One of the most memorable parts of the book is the historic moment of the first moon landing. Baker recalls his excitement at seeing the first moon landing in a cramped TV studio, witnessing history.

The book is highly recommended for readers interested in aerospace engineering, personal memoirs, and history. It is a must-read for everyone, as Baker shares moments often not shown publicly, highlighting the dedication and teamwork of the workers, which makes readers appreciate their efforts.

The book is an inspiration for people interested in pursuing careers in space-related fields. It is a guide to self-determination and scientific achievement.
Overall, FROM APOLLO TO ARTEMIS: STORIES FROM MY 50 YEARS WITH NASA is a valuable read.

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