List compiled by Fred Kiesche (Fkiesche3@yahoo.com)
Last update: January 24, 2001
Hosted on shallowsky.com by permission of the author.
This is a list of books from my personal collection. I’ll update it as I add new books, I’ll also start adding titles that I run across (but don’t necessarily own) in a separate section.
The first part of the list are books about the physical characteristics of the moon.
The second part of the list are books about observing the moon.
The third part of the list are books about exploring the moon. Some of these are somewhat peripheral, e.g., one book is about the development of the guidance computer used in the Apollo missions.
The fourth part, not yet done, will be science fiction books on moon exploration.
Key: HC = hardcover; PB = paperback; TPB = Trade paperback; 19__ = publication date; ISBN = serial number (helps in ordering); OOP = I assume that the book is out of print; $XX.XX, price listed on the book (if any) in US currency.
Note: Compiled from three separate lists. There is some duplication.
Abell, George O.: Exploration of the Universe (Holt Rinehart, Winston, HC, 1075, ISBN 0-03-089665-7, OOP) (...only one chapter on the moon, but it's a good summary...)
Ashbrook, Joseph: The Astronomical Scrapbook--Skywatchers, Pioneers and Seekers in Astronomy (Sky Publishing, HC, 1984, ISBN 0-933346-24-7, price unknown) (Some essays deal with historical observations of the moon and what was learned.)
Chaikin, Andrew: A Man on the Moon. Three volume set from Time-Life: One Giant Leap, The Odyssey Continues, Lunar Explorers. Same text as other versions (hardcover, trade paperback), but with extensive photographs not found in the other editions. Basis for the Tom Hanks/HBO mini-series "From the Earth to the Moon" (Time-Life Books, HC, 1999?, ISBN 0-7835-5677-2, $60.00???) (Chaikin's book is the best "general knowledge" book I've found explaining the science behind the Apollo program!)
Gingerich, Owen: The Great Copernicus Chase and Other Adventures in Astronomical History (Cambridge University Press, HC, 1992, ISBN 0-521-32688-5, price unknown) (A sort of sequel to Ashbrook's "The Astronomical Scrapbook", some of the articles deal on observing the moon, eclipses, etc.)
Harland, David M.: Exploring the Moon--The Apollo Expeditions (Springer/Praxis, TPB, 1999, ISBN 1-85233-099-6, price unknown) (Good book detailing the manned and unmanned expeditions to the moon, including Galileo flybys, Clementine, and Lunar Prospector. Excellent detail on the "J" missions--Apollos 15, 16 and 17. Harland has also written excellent books on Galileo, Mir, the Space Shuttle program.)
Spudis, Paul D.: The Once and Future Moon (Smithsonian Institution Press, TPB, 1996, ISBN 1-56098-847-9, price unknown) (A combination of lunar history/geology, outline of exploration and potential future exploration. Sections on history and geology are somewhere less detailed than Harland or Wilhelms.)
Wilhelms, Don E.: To A Rocky Moon--A Geologist's History of Lunar Exploration (Arizona University Press, TPB, 1993, ISBN 0-8165-1443-7, price unknown) (A good, but dense/techical book on the exploration of the moon from Ranger, Surveyor, Orbiter to Apollo. Probably the most detailed geological information next to Harland's book. Lots and lots of notes and references that can lead to a large pile of follow-up reading!)
Cherrington (Jr.), Ernest H.: Exploring the Moon Through Binoculars and Small Telescopes (Dover Publications, TPB, 1984, ISBN 0-486-24491-1, $14.95)
Covington, Michael A.: Astrophotography for the Amateur (Second Edition) (Cambridge University Press, TPB, 1999, ISBN 0-521-62740-0, price unknown) (General work on astrophotography including some material on the moon.)
Hill, Harold: A Portfolio of Lunar Drawings (Cambridge University Press, HC, 1991, ISBN 0-521-38113-4, OOP)
Levy, David H.: The Sky--A User's Guide (Cambridge University Press, TPB, 1997,ISBN 0-521-45958-3, price unknown) (A general introduction to astronomy, has a few good chapters on lunar and planetary observing, including suggested programs to follow to help you learn.)
North, Gerald: Observing the Moon--The Modern Astronomer's Guide (Cambridge University Press, HC, 2000, ISBN 0-521-62274-3, $39.95) (Extensive book on history of observing, equipment, photography, drawing the moon and several chapters details features.)
Pasachoff, Jay M. & Menzel, Donald H.: Stars and Planets (Peterson Field Guides) (Houghton Mifflin, TPB, 1992, 0-395-53764-9, $15.95) (A pocket field guide, not an extensive section on the moon, but good for travel.)
Price, Fred W.: The Moon Observer's Handbook (Cambridge University Press, HC, 1988, ISBN 0-521-33500-0, OOP) (Somewhat dated, but the chapters on mapping, observing programs and the like are worth it.)
Ridpath, Ian (editor): Norton's 2000.0 Star Atlas and Reference Handbook (Longman, HC, 1996, ISBN 0-582-03163-X, price not listed) (Includes chapter on the moon. Unfortunately, previous drawn map replaced by not-so-well -reproduced pictures of lunar nearside.)
Rukl, Antonin: Atlas of the Moon (Kalmbach Books, HC, 1990, ISBN 0-913135-17-8, $34.95, might be between printings, possibly being revised?)
Schaaf, Fred: Seeing the Solar System--Telescopic Projects, Activities & Explorations in Astronomy (John Wiley, TPB, 1991, ISBN 0-471-53071-9, $14.95, OOP?) (A couple of chapters on lunar observation, a good overall introduction to planetary observing, setting up programs, etc.)
Schaaf, Fred: 40 Nights to Knowing the Sky (Owl Books, TPB, 1998, ISBN 0-8050-4668-2, price unknown, OOP?) (I wish I could get 40 clear nights in a row...has two chapters on observing the moon.)
Sidgwick, J.B.: Observational Astronomy for Amateurs, Fourth Edition (Enslow, HC, 1982, ISBN 0-89490-067-6, OOP?) (Somewhat "dry", i.e., technical, but has good summary of some observing programs.)
Tirion, Wil: The Cambridge Star Atlas (Second Edition) (Cambridge University Press, HC, 1996, ISBN 0-521-56098-5, no price listed) (Has one two page map of the near side of the moon. Good travel book.)
Webb, T.W. (The Reverend): Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes--Volume I: The Solar System (Dover Publications, TPB, 1962, no ISBN, no price, OOP? ) (...a classic guidebook...)
Westfall, John E.: Atlas of the Lunar Terminator (Cambridge University Press, HC, 2000, ISBN 0-521-624336-3--but that ISBN may be incorrect, price not known) (Series of CCD mosaics of the moon, along the terminator for maximum use of shadows, quality of the CCD's varies greatly.)
Whitaker, Ewen A.: Mapping and Naming the Moon--A History of Lunar Cartography and Nomenclature (Cambridge University Press, HC, 1999, ISBN 0-521-62248-4, price unknown) (A very detailed history of pre-telescopic through modern observations of the moon, the famous lunar cartographers, the whys to various names...)
Bean, Alan & Chaikin, Andrew: Apollo--An Eyewitness Account by Astronaut/Explorer Artist/Moonwalker Alan Bean (The Greenwich Workshop Press, HC, 1998, ISBN 0-86713-051-2, limited edition out of print)
Bova, Ben: Vision of the Future--The Art of Robert McCall (Abrams, HC, 1982, ISBN 0-8109-1705-8, no price, OOP)
Bova, Ben: Welcome to Moonbase (Ballantine Books, TPB, 1987, ISBN 0-345-32859-0, $9.95, OOP)
Bromberg, Joan Lisa: NASA and the Space Industry (Johns Hopkins University Press, HC, 1999, ISBN 0-8018-6050-4, no price listed)
Burrows, William E.: This New Ocean--The Story of the First Space Age (Random House, HC, 1998, ISBN 0-679-44521-8, $34.95)
Cernan, Eugene & Davis, Don: The Last Man on the Moon (St. Martin's Press, HC, 1999, ISBN 0-312-19906-6, $24.95)
Chaikin, Andrew: A Man on the Moon. Three volume set from Time-Life: One Giant Leap, The Odyssey Continues, Lunar Explorers. Same text as other versions (hardcover, trade paperback), but with extensive photographs not found in the other editions. Basis for the Tom Hanks/HBO mini-series "From the Earth to the Moon" (Time-Life Books, HC, 1999?, ISBN 0-7835-5677-2, $60.00???) (Chaikin's book is the best "general knowledge" book I've found explaining the science behind the Apollo program!)
Clark, Phillip: The Soviet Manned Space Program (Orion Books, HC, 1988, ISBN 0-517-56954-X, $24.95, OOP?) (Some detail on Soviet unmanned and planned manned expeditions.)
Clarke, Arthur Charles: Greetings, Carbon-Based Bipeds! Collected Essays 1934-1998 (St. Martin's Press, HC, 1999, ISBN 0-312-19893-0, $35.00, has some excerpts from Clarke's writings on the exploration of space.)
Collins, Michael: Carrying the Fire--An Astronaut's Journeys (Farrar Straus Girous, HC, 1974, no ISBN, OOP)
Collins, Michael: Flying to the Moon--An Astronaut's Story (Updated Edition) (Sunburst Books/Farrar Straus Giroux, TPB, 1994, ISBN 0-374-42356-3, $4.95) (Note: Based in part on "Carrying the Fire"...)
Cooper, Henry S.F. (Jr.): XIII: The Apollo Flight That Failed (Johns Hopkins University Press, TPB, 1995 ISBN 0-8018-5097-5, $13.00) (Long before Lovell wrote his book--Lost Moon--later filmed as Apollo 13--this book was out. Still worth reading.)
Crouch, Tom D.: Aiming for the Stars--The Dreamers and Doers of the Space Age (Smithsonian Institution Press, HC, 1999, ISBN 1-56098-386-8, price not known)
Gray, Mike: Angle of Attack--Harrison Storms and the Race to the Moon (Penguin, TPB, 1992, AISBN 0-14-02-3280-X, $11.99)
Hall, Eldon C.: Journey to the Moon--The History of the Apollo Guidance Computer ( American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, TPB, 1996, ISBN 1-56347-185-X, price unknown) (Pretty technical from an electronics/computer point of view, but fascinating nonetheless!)
Harford, James: Korolev--How One Man Masterminded the Soviet Drive to Beat America to the Moon (Wiley, HC, 1997, ISBN 0-471-14853-9, $30.00) (Biography of the "Russian Von Braun". Some interesting detail on the aborted Soviet attempt to reach the moon.)
Harland, David M.: Exploring the Moon--The Apollo Expeditions (Springer/Praxis, TPB, 1999, ISBN 1-85233-099-6, price unknown) (Good book detailing the manned and unmanned expeditions to the moon, including Galileo flybys, Clementine, and Lunar Prospector. Excellent detail on the "J" missions--Apollos 15, 16 and 17. Harland has also written excellent books on Galileo, Mir, the Space Shuttle program.)
Heppenheimer, T.A.: Countdown--A History of Space Flight (Wiley, HC, 1997, ISBN 0-471-14439-8, $30.00) (Good general history of the space program up to the promise of the ISS.)
Kluger, Jeffrey: Journey Beyond Selene--Remarkable Expeditions Past Our Moon and to the Ends of the Solar System (Simon & Schuster, HC, 1999, ISBN 0-684-84765-5, $26.00) (History of JPL programs such as Ranger, Surveyor, Voyager.)
Kranz, Gene: Failure Is Not An Option--Mission Control from Mercury to Apollo 13 and Beyond (Simon and Schuster, HC, 2000, ISBN 0-7432-0079-9, $26.00)
Lamberg, W. Henry: Powering Apollo--James E. Webb of NASA (Johns Hopkins University Press, TPB, 1995, ISBN 0-8019-4902-0, price unknown)
Launius, Roger D. & Ulrich, Bertram: NASA and the Exploration of Space (Stewart Tabori & Chang, HC,1998, ISBN 1-55670-696-0, price not known)
Ley, Willey: The Conquest of Space (The Viking Press, HC, 1950, no ISBN, "$3.95"--good luck finding it that low!, OOP)
Light, Michael: Full Moon (Alfred A. Knopf, HC, 1999, $50.00, can't find an ISBN!)
Lovell, Jim & Kluger, Jeffrey: Lost Moon (a.k.a., Apollo 13) (Houghton Mifflin, HC, 1994, ISBN 0-395-67029-2, $22.95)
McCall, Robert: The Art of Robert McCall--A Celebration of Our Future in Space (Bantam Books, HC, 1992, ISBN 0-553-07355-9, $60.00)
McCurdy, Howard E.: Space and the American Imagination (Smithsonian Institution Press, TPB, 1997, ISBN 1-56098-445-7, price unknown) (Why travel to outer space?)
Miller, Ron & Durant, Frederick C. (III): Worlds Beyond--The Art of Chesley Bonestell (Donning Starblaze, TPB, 1983, ISBN 0-89865-195-6, $14.95, OOP)
Miller, Ron: Space Art (Starlog Press, TPB, 1979, no ISBN, no price, OOP) (Various paintings, etc., including classic Bonestell, etc.)
National Comission on Space: Pioneering the Space Frontier (Bantam Books, 1986, ISBN 0-553-34314-9, $14.95, OOP)
Ordway, Frederick I. (III) and Leibermann, Randy: Blueprinit for Space: Science Fiction to Science Fact (Smithsonian Institution Press, TPB, 1992, ISBN 1-56098-072-9, no price, OOP?)
Pellegrino, Charles R. & Stoff, Joshua: Chariots for Apollo--The Untold Story Behind the Race to the Moon (Avon, TPB, 1999, ISBN 0-380-80261-9, $13.50) (Good account of engineering behind Apollo, especially the Lunar Module. I was very interested to see the wheeled "mobile LM"!)
Reeves, Robert: The Superpower Space Race--An Explosive Rivalry Through the Solar System (Plenum, HC, 1994, ISBN 0-306-44768-1, $28.95) (Covers exploration of the whole solar system, but several chapters deal with the US and Soviet lunar programs.)
Riabchikov, Evgeny: Russians ini Space (Doubleday, HC, 1971, no ISBN, $10.00, OOP) (Some discussion of Soviet lunar exploration.)
Ruzic, Neil P.: Where the Winds Sleep--Man's Future on the Moon, A Projected History (Doubleday, HC, 1970, no ISBN, OOP) (Ruzic wrote a book called "The Case for Going to the Moon" where he showed there were more than political reasons for Apollo. "Where the Winds Sleep" is a "future history" from 1975 to 2045 showing how the exploration and colonization of the moon would benefit mankind.)
Schrunk, David & Sharpe, Burton & Cooper, Bonnie & Thangavelu, Madhu: The Moon--Resources, Future Development and Colonization (Wiley/Praxis, HC, 1999, ISBN 0-471-97635-0, price unknown) (A speculative book on future uses of the moon, several good chapters on formation, appearance, resources, geology, etc.)
Shepard, Alan & Slayton, Deke: Moon Shot--The Inside History of America's Race to the Moon (Turner, HC, 1994, ISBN 1-878685-54-6, $21.95)
Von Ryan, Cornelius (editor): Across the Space Frontier (The Viking Press, HC, 1952, no ISBN, "$3.95"--but try and find it that cheap!!!, OOP)
Von Ryan, Cornelius (editor): Conquest of the Moon (The Viking Press, HC, 1953, no ISBN, OOP)
Wachhorst, Wyn: The Dream of Spaceflight--Essays on the Near Edge of Infinity (Basic Books, HC, 2000, ISBN 0-465-09057-5, $22.00) (Why is the phrase "Abandon in Place" one of the saddest in our language?)