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As I noted in July, 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. 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. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.

 

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We Five – You Were on My Mind

An evening pause: The original, performed live on television, 1965.

Hat tip Diane Zimmerman.

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

5 comments

  • Allan

    The timer zipping along to 1/30th of a second is distracting, otherwise, a nice song from a more wholesome decade.
    I listen to today’s pop music on xm radio at my part time job. Much of it is decadent and abrasive on the ears.

  • wayne

    Allan–
    Yeah, the timestamp, is what it is. (Considering this is all copyrighted material, we’re lucky to get any video version for free.)
    Sincere question– what age-group are you in? (I only ask cuz’ I rarely listen to “pop music” and I couldn’t tell you who was “#1” if you put a gun to my head.) When I do listen to the radio (that dates me…) it’s a classic-rock station, although I’m totally sick of hearing the same 24 songs they play continuously.
    Things started getting a whole lot more, less-wholesome, around 1965-ish, although in many ways it was infinitely freer than today, for most people.

  • Milt

    For a a much slower and hauntingly beautiful alternative version of this vintage Ian and Sylvia composition, check out
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOTsv8K5V2A

    This cover appeared on Ms. Roderick’s second album, Woman Blue, released by Vanguard in 1965. As one of the reviewers on Amazon suggests, it is a virtually perfect album, and it is a pity that this gifted artist is not better known. I was fortunate enough to see her perform in person at a small club back in the mid 1960s, and I have been captivated by her music ever since then.

    “A perfect record. Absolutely perfect. One could search the thousands of prewar or post war blues singers, one could listen to the thousands of singers from the folk or rock eras and feel as if any further search of the best has ended here. That may sound as if I’ve exaggerated a bit but really she hits the blue notes like nobody else. Honest, real, heartfelt and true. Unknown to most Judy (Blue Woman) Roderick was an artist, at least on this CD to be without equal. A staggering and wonderful piece of work.”

    Looking back, it is amazing how many wonderful covers such as this have come from the Ian and Sylvia songbook, including Judy Collins’ well known version of Someday Soon. Back in the day, someday soon.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jn90y9H9S4

  • Allan

    Wayne –
    On my retirement job cleaning some offices after hours (sanitary technician) I play the radio that they use during the day, not wanting to change the station on their tuner. I admire it when people have a large knowledge of a particular musician or group, like Milt here. I only know what I like, and what is irritating.

  • wayne

    Allan–
    Understand completely. My little retirement gig is helping train grocery-store employees.
    (my god– most ALL of these people are addicted to their Devices!)

    Milt–
    A Challenge:
    Find for me a high-quality version of “The Girl with the Horn-rim Glasses,” by Carole Shelyne. Performed on the tv show “Shindig.” The only one I can find is a 240p version copied from video.

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