Chronicles the epic race to the moon between the United States and the Soviet Union, discussing both countries' space exploration programs, the scientists and political leaders involved, and the key achievements and disasters of both.

Foreword by Sergei Khrushchev.

Foreword /Sergei Khrushchev -- Introduction -- Prologue : Arrow to the future -- ch. 1. The great trophy hunt -- ch. 2. Space and the Cold War -- ch. 3. Sputnik nights -- ch. 4. The human dimension -- ch. 5. Portals to the cosmos -- ch. 6. The space race quickens -- ch. 7. A distant prize -- Epilogue : Old visions, new realities -- Notes -- Index -- Illustration credits.