The life of the first man who stepped on the Moon and the history of the milestone that marked humanity and the space race. When Apollo 11 landed on the Moon in 1969, the first man to make his mark on the surface became a legend. Based on exclusive material composed of more than fifty hours of private recordings with Neil Armstrong, personal documents and interviews with close relatives, James Hansen achieves a magnificent panoramic view of the second half of the 20th century as well as producing an unparalleled biography about one of the undeniable protagonists. of recent history. In a penetrating exploration of the cult of the American hero, Hansen tackles the complex legacy of the First Man, as an astronaut and as an individual. In this book, intimacy, science and epic are intermingled to form the portrait of a rebel hero who will always be known as the most famous space traveler in history. Criticism has said ... The historian James Hansen skillfully combines the Armstrong saga with the historical background of the introduction of America to the Space Age. An excellent book. Captain James A. Lovell, commander of Apollo 13 This impressive biography, well documented and passionately written, will pass the test of the inexorable passage of time. Library Journal A powerful and relentless biography of a man who is the epitome of strength of character and everyday determination ... . A must read for space world worshipers and history readers alike. Publishers Weekly