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karoliinu's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
histogrammarian's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
This book details the development of Space X from its conception circa 2001 to its first successful test flights in 2008-09. If you're interested in this part of the Space X story, in the personal stories of the key participants in its earliest days, then this is the book for you. Berger ably relays the technical, financial, legal and cultural details of how Space X was able to rapidly disrupt the launch industry and perhaps initiate a new space age.
But the book also needs to be taken with a grain of salt. While the portrayal of Elon Musk is "warts and wall", with reference to the Space X founder's litigious nature and despotic character, Berger nevertheless veers into hagiography. This is Musk how he would like to be known and any tensions between him and his team are described in highly diplomatic terms.
This isn't the definitive history of Space X, but it'll do until one comes along.
But the book also needs to be taken with a grain of salt. While the portrayal of Elon Musk is "warts and wall", with reference to the Space X founder's litigious nature and despotic character, Berger nevertheless veers into hagiography. This is Musk how he would like to be known and any tensions between him and his team are described in highly diplomatic terms.
This isn't the definitive history of Space X, but it'll do until one comes along.
gearyofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
If you have an interest in innovation, passion and the growth of a company which has changed the game then get this read. It's far less about Elon Musk as it is more about the people who believed in him.
flagstaff's review against another edition
5.0
Reading chapter one It was so familiar that I thought I must have read this book and must have been so unimpressed with it I had forgotten. Ytube has been my main source of info on Spacex so I believe I have a pretty good grasp of their history. Getting into the book it went in to the launches of Falcon1 from Omelek Island. I was somewhat familiar but this really went into the personal trials of what happened and it was a very good narrative. Learned a lot.
simenmyk's review against another edition
5.0
Really good. Eric Berger uses his skills as one of the best space reporters to write this excellent page turner.
maneetpaul's review against another edition
5.0
If you're a fan of SpaceX, you need to read this book. There are so many stories that you won't find anywhere else. To truly appreciate where SpaceX is today, it's important to know all the hardships they went through. The book goes through multiple different key characters that contributed to the success of SpaceX. I really enjoyed the different perspectives and learning about the other people behind the scenes besides Elon.
mudslide's review against another edition
3.0
A decent book. A tale of the early days of SpaceX. Does a great job of pulling back the curtains on the un-sexy parts of working for a startup.