Far Side of the Moon: Apollo 8 Commander Frank Borman and the Woman Who Gave Him Wings (MP3 CD)

Staff Reviews

I have been a fan of the history of the "space race" for most of my life.  I've read every book about NASA, astronauts, launch facilities, and even cosmonauts, that I could get my hands on. The achievements and courage of the astronauts are the stuff of legend.  But one thing that hardly ever gets reported is the price that the families paid.  Far Side of the Moon by Liisa Jorgensen gives us a look into that subject. I was a military brat myself, so I had some idea of the hardships of having a loved one away from home; but I didn't have the press constantly watching my every move.  This book takes a deep dive into the price that Susan Borman, wife of the Commander of the first mission to take humans to the moon, paid for her country.  The men were always focused on "the Mission".  Their families were supposed to show a good face, be "pleased and proud" about every flight, and shut up about any fears or doubts they might have.  Susan Borman was married to, arguably, the best astronaut in the program.  She kept up the facade of the perfect wife of an astronaut.  But, behind the scenes she was falling apart, turning to alcohol to cope with the pressures.  Far Side of the Moon tells her story of pain and responsibility.  It also tells us of the love between Frank and Susan, so it is ultimately a story of hope. It is truly what the sub-title says, a story of "Apollo 8 Commander Frank Borman and the Woman Who Gave Him Wings".