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Genesis cover

On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.

 

The print edition can be purchased at Amazon. from any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.


The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
 

"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News


Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

A Christmas pause: As I have done now for several years on Christmas day, I bring you the classic 1951 version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, starring Alastair Sim. Still by far the best adaption of the book and a truly wonderful movie.

And as I noted in a previous year:

Dickens did not demand the modern version of charity, where it is imposed by governmental force on everyone. Instead, he was advocating the older wiser concept of western civilization, that charity begins at home, that we as individuals are obliged as humans to exercise good will and generosity to others, by choice.

It is always a matter of choice. And when we take that choice away from people, we destroy the good will that makes true charity possible.

It is also most important that we all heed the words of Christmas Present: ‘This boy is ignorance, this girl is want. Beware them both, but most of all beware this boy.’”

The support of my readers through the years has given me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Four years ago, just before the 2020 election I wrote that Joe Biden's mental health was suspect. Only in this year has the propaganda mainstream media decided to recognize that basic fact.

 

Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Even today NASA and Congress refuse to recognize this reality.

 

In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.

 

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5 comments

  • Gary

    Thank you for this. I confess I was introduced to the classic by Mr Magoo!

  • Gary: The Magoo version is actually pretty good too. And it has a few really good songs that should not be forgotten.

  • Phil Berardelli

    Thank you, Bob. But I’ll always regard the 1938 MGM version, starring Reginald Owen, as my favorite. His conversion on Christmas morning is sublime. And the young actors (Barry McKay and the exquisite Lynne Carver) playing Fred and Bess are delightful. Likewise Gene Lockhart as Bob Cratchit and Terry Kilburn as “Tiny” Tim. It’s one of the studio’s masterpieces. Still, I also hold a warm place for “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol.” And you’re right, some of the songs are lovely. Albert Finney’s “Scrooge” is a bit overblown but has some excellent moments as well.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. God bless us, every one!

  • Patrick Underwood

    Yes, this version is The One. We watch it every year. Besides Sim’s perfect performance, it includes one of the most startling and bloodcurdling screams in cinematic history!

  • wayne

    A Christmas Carol (1910)

    https://archive.org/details/AChristmasCarol1910

    “Marc McDermott stars as Ebenezer Scrooge in this silent film version.”

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