The story of Jim Cobb, Navy pilot, takes readers into the 1960s with all its highs and lows. As can be seen on the cover, a rocket named Liberty figures prominently in the narrative, and so do the concepts of love and liberty. Jim's career path takes him from flying jets for the Navy to astronaut training at NASA in a special operations unit. He sees it all as a way to serve his country, stop the spread of communism, and perhaps get a little justice for the father he lost in the Korean War. His wife Joann is searching for something meaningful to do with her time, preferably something where she can work as a writer. As Jim spends more time away from home, Joann becomes involved in student protests over the draft. Will their paths pull their relationship apart, or can they find a way to save their marriage and democracy at the same time?
Author Bobby Mehdwan mixes so many facts into the story that it feels like reading a nonfiction account of an historical figure rather than a fictional character. Readers will be plunged into the Cuban Missile Crisis, planning for NASA missions during the Space Race, U2 flights, draft card burning, protest marches, the March on Washington, and Kennedy's assassination. The competing ideologies within the United States also seem to come to a head within the Cobb household as Jim and Joann each try to do what they feel is best. Jim wants to make sure the future does not include Soviet missile bases on the moon. Joann wants to end U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and the loss of more lives. The beautiful women looking to hook up with future astronauts and the charismatic members of the SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) offer temptation to stray, putting even more pressure on their strained marriage.
This book is a mix of suspense/thriller with plenty of cliffhanger moments (fighting to control damaged aircraft, bomb scares during protest rallies, car crashes, flashbacks to combat experiences), and the story of a couple trying to hold onto each other without losing themselves. As an aeronautics enthusiast, I especially enjoyed the flight scenes and the technical details of the work done by all the NASA staff - designing the lunar lander, checking flight trajectories, training in the Vomit Comet, etc.
Recommended for those who enjoy romance mixed in with tense action.
I read a copy provided by the author for review purposes.
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