We Came in Peace for All Mankind: The Untold Story of the Apollo 11 Silicon Disc

By Tahir Rahman

Book Overview

In 1969, with only weeks left until the liftoff of Apollo 11, NASA worked feverishly to miniaturize messages of goodwill from world leaders to carry them to the Moon. NASA, the State Department,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1585974412
• ISBN13: 9781585974412
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Leathers Pub
• Length: 293 Pages
• Weight: 2.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 0.8" x 9.8"

Customer Reviews

A snapshot of our world in 1969.

I enjoyed this book as, instead of being too narrowly focused (as a story about one little object might sound at first), it tells the story of this tiny disc as just one symbolic element of the first mission to the lunar surface. Not just for the committed space-geek, this book does a good job of conveying some of the wonder of the first lunar landing mission, both in words and in beautiful full-page images. As a snapshot of the world of 1969, it is fascinating. The disc, intended as a symbolic gesture, turns out to tell many more stories than its original intention, and in many ways summarize the whole venture. As the book describes the rush to add last-minute messages to the disc, hurriedly collecting messages from world leaders, so we come to understand the tensions between science, engineering, PR and politics that were taking place in the busy runup to launch. Some arguments, such as whether to include religious wording to symbolic statements, sound very familiar to some current political debates. The political reasonings behind some of the messages, and also why some nations declined involvement, give an interesting insight into late-1960s global politics. It's very interesting to read all of the messages themselves as a reflection of the times. Some of the blandest statements come from the major powers on the world stage, with smaller countries such as Liberia, Guyana, the Ivory Coast, Trinidad and Tobago providing some of the most thought-provoking words as they decide how to claim their own little intellectual corner of the mission. The messages come from countries which in many cases no longer exist or have been renamed, from leaders long gone, long deposed and in many cases long discredited. Very few, such as Queen Elizabeth, are still around. Without any commentary, the end of the book is nevertheless perhaps the most powerful part. Giving a brief biography of each of the leaders whose words appear on the disc, in many cases we are treated to a rogue's gallery of dictators, coup winners, corrupt tyrants and those who went on to murky and inglorious ends. A good portion of the leaders are people who, today, we may view as the last names we'd want representing humankind in a message to the future. While aiming for a high purpose, the disc therefore also inadvertently summarizes what a messy and imperfect world we lived in in 1969. Perhaps, in doing so, it gives extra luster to the Apollo 11 mission itself, which managed to reach above its Cold War origins and achieve something for all humankind. A very interesting work, presented in beautiful form.

We Came in Peace

This is a unique and delightful book. Unlike so many publications about the early space program, which typically rehash many of the same old stories, this one actually reveals something fresh and heretofore unexamined. Dr. Rahman avoids overuse of technologic talk, keeping the book very accessible for the casual reader; yet manages to unearth something genuinely different for those of us who avidly read all things space. For those who care naught about exploration of the moon, readers will still find a wonderful message of peace on earth. In fact, the mounbound messages (nearly four decades old now) contained herein, penned by leaders from around the world, seem remarkably timely for our age and any age. It is touching to read such sentiments from world leaders who have often been considered enemies rather than friends. Ultimately, this is not a book about a super-power's technologic feats in space; but about a planet uniting for a single moment in its history and longing to return to that unity.

Beautifully presented and documented

I was just 7 when men first set foot on the moon and I can still remember the excitement as my parents explained what was going on and tried to impart to me the significance of what I was witnessing on our old black and white TV. Until I read this book I had no idea that over 70 nations sent unique messages of goodwill to be left on the moon forever. Tahir has done a wonderful job in collecting these messages together, as well as giving us many rare and beautiful photographs which pictorially document that time almost 40 years ago. I can heartily recommend this book for anyone with an interest in the space programme. However, it is far more than merely another book about Apollo, Neil Armstrong etc; it gives us a rare insight into how other nations apart from America perceived the significance of this monumental effort and event. In the turbulent times of the late 1960s, it is heart-warming to learn that so many countries which might, in many ways, be at odds with one another, genuinely wished the best for the men who landed on the moon and wanted to feel a part of the whole enterprise. That is the true message of this book and is perhaps a lesson that nations might learn from today.

Fascinating and Beautiful Book

For those of us who lived this historic event, this book is a wonderful way to relive it with a new twist. And for those who didn't and are yet to come it is a great way to share the adventure. Tahir has done a superb job of displaying the spectactular pictures and the messages from other countries. I only hope that people all over the world will have an opportunity to see this book.

Captivating. It will make a great coffee table book.

I was captivated by this book from the moment I saw it. I couldn't put it down. The photographs (all from Apollo 11) are in the most vivid colors that I have ever seen. My favorite photograph is where you can see the Earth as a tiny blue dot in the reflection of Aldrin's visor. Rahman has captured an event through a unique lens that will change the future historical emphasis on this fascinating tale of peace and human adventure.