Spaceflight and the Myth of Presidential Leadership

"Readers will immediately appreciate the impressive line-up of contributors to this volume. They include Fred Greenstein (with David Callahan) on Dwight D. Eisenhower and early space policy; Michael Beschloss on John F. Kennedy and the lunar project decision; Robert Dallek on the politics of the Apollo Program; Joan Hoff on Congress and the political context of space initiatives in the 1970s; Lyn Ragsdale on the George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan years; Robert Ferrell on international politics and negotiations; and John Logsdon, on national leadership and presidential power. Finally, editors Roger D. Launius and Howard E. McCurdy add knowledgeable commentary in their introduction and conclusion. . . . [The collection] sets the standard for future discussions of the space program." --Roger E. Bilstein, American Historical Review"As a concise history of manned spaceflight it is useful for everyone interested in this intriguing web of politics, the presidency, and space policy." --Andreas Richstein, Journal of American History "Spaceflight and the Myth of Presidential Leadership merits more than a single, careful reading. Its contributors have drawn on a wealth of information from a wide variety of primary and secondary sources. . . . Their conclusions offer readers a refreshing historical perspective on matters of vital importance to the future success of America's space policies and programs." --Rick Sturdevant, The Public Historian

• The reluctant racer, Dwight D. Eisenhower and United States space policy / Da Callahan and Fred I. Greenstein -- Kennedy and the decision to go to the moo Michael Beschloss -- Johnson, Project Apollo, and the politics of space prog planning / Robert Dallek -- The presidency, Congress, and the deceleration o the U.S. space program in the 1970s / Joan Hoff -- Politics not science, the U.S. space program in the Reagan and Bush years / Lyn Ragsdale -- Presidenti leadership and international aspects of the space program / Robert Ferrell - National leadership and presidential power / John M. Logsdon.