As a very unique 3-D, tactile-covered lunar reference book, One Small Step: 40th Anniversary of the Race to the Moon is a fantastic piece of literature that has clear imagery and concise information about the Apollo era. With a cover that depicts the topography of the Moon when one places a hand across it, the inside pages are round with easy-to-read descriptions of the men of Apollo and their missions as well as crisp and vivid imagery that tells the story of the trials and triumphs of this epic time in human exploration. An introduction by Dr. Buzz Aldrin automatically demands our reflection and celebration of our achievements of the Apollo era. He asks us to “push for more small steps and giant leaps.”

Peter Murray looks behind the scenes and introduces us to the “Famous Twelve” and how the race to the Moon came about. We then take an intimate look into the life of Dr. Wernher von Braun and how his ideals and achievements still influence our lives today.

Focusing on the lessons learned from the Apollo program, we are again reminded why we are currently venturing back to the Moon — for the advancement of human exploration and settlement as well as for the scientific benefits that can come from such missions.

One by one we are then drawn into each Apollo mission as if we were there ourselves. Magnificently selected pictures captivate not only the beauty, but the trials and tribulations of each of the astronauts as they venture for their rightful place among those who have ventured beyond our own home world.

Finally, we reflect on lunar missions of the past, cheer the current data being acquired by orbiters such as the spectacular imagery from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Cameras (LROC), and ponder the possibilities of future human missions and how private industry offers new-found hope in the ever hard-pressed endeavor to surpass current economic strife and environmental uncertainties as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the race to the Moon.

© 2009 Veronica Ann Zabala-Aliberto