Description: Eisenhower at the Dawn of the Space AgeSputnik, Rockets, and Helping Hands Author(s): Mark Shanahan Format: Hardback Publisher: Lexington Books, United States Imprint: Lexington Books ISBN-13: 9781498528146, 978-1498528146 Synopsis Historians have established a norm whereby President Eisenhower's actions in relation to the dawn of the space age are judged solely as a response to the Soviet launch of the Sputnik satellite, and are indicative of a passive, negative presidency. His low-key actions are seen merely as a prelude to the US triumph in space which is largely bookended first by President Kennedy?s man-to-the-moon pledge in 1961, and finally by Neil Armstrong?s moon landing eight years later. This book presents an alternative view of the development of space policy during Eisenhower?s administration, assessing the hypothesis that his space policy was not a reaction to the heavily-propagandized Soviet satellite launches, or even the effect they caused in the US political and military elites, but the continuation of a strategic journey. This study engages with three distinct but converging strands of literature and proposes a revised interpretation of Eisenhower?s actions in relation to rockets, missiles and satellites: namely that Eisenhower was operating on a parallel path to the established norm that started with the Bikini Atoll Castle H-bomb tests; developed through the CIA's reconnaissance efforts and was distilled in the Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 which set a policy for US involvement in outer space that matched Eisenhower?s desire for a balanced budget and fundamental belief in maintaining peace. President Eisenhower was not interested in joining a ?space race?: while national security underpinned his thinking, his space policy actions were strategic steps that actively sidestepped internecine armed forces rivalry, and provided a logical next step for both civilian and military space programs at the completion of the International Geophysical Year. In reassessing the United States? first space policy, the book adds to the revisionism under way in relation to the Eisenhower presidency, focusing on the ?Helping Hands? that enabled him to wage peace.
Price: 71.61 GBP
Location: Aldershot
End Time: 2024-11-26T13:36:09.000Z
Shipping Cost: 36.26 GBP
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return postage will be paid by: Buyer
Returns Accepted: Returns Accepted
After receiving the item, your buyer should cancel the purchase within: 60 days
Return policy details:
Book Title: Eisenhower at the Dawn of the Space Age
Number of Pages: 224 Pages
Language: English
Publication Name: Eisenhower at the Dawn of the Space Age: Sputnik, Rockets, and Helping Hands
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication Year: 2016
Subject: Government, History
Item Height: 237 mm
Item Weight: 485 g
Type: Textbook
Author: Mark Shanahan
Item Width: 159 mm
Format: Hardcover
