To President John F. Kennedy, putting a man on the moon would be a challenge to Russia's recent achievements in space exploration and assert the U.S.'s technological prowess on the world stage. The Apollo missions were a success, yet while everyone is familiar with Neil Armstrong's iconic line and his bold tread on the moon's dusty surface, few are privy to the events leading up to this moment. In this abundantly illustrated history, former NASA engineer David Baker gives a behind-the-scenes account of the space race, including the political impetus behind the mission, the Apollo 8's lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, as well as some of the project's daunting challenges.