Shoot for the Moon: The Space Race and the Extraordinary Voyage of Apollo 11

Name: Shoot for the Moon: The Space Race and the Extraordinary Voyage of Apollo 11
Price: 15.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (536 reviews)
Author: Jim Donovan

by Jim Donovan

Historical Fiction Biography Memoir

4.7 (536)

4.7 stars from 536 reviews. Top 95% of Historical Fiction books we track.

Published 2019-01-01

$15.99At peak price

Last checked: Jun 2, 2026

Price history: $2.99 – $15.99

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Price range: $2.99 – $15.99

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Perfect for you if...

You want the full human story behind the moon landing, not just the famous moment. Armstrong and Aldrin stepping onto the lunar surface matters less than how they got there.
You're drawn to stories about ordinary people doing impossible things under crushing pressure. The 410,000 engineers, scientists, and technicians matter as much as the astronauts.
You appreciate narrative history that captures a specific moment in time. The sixties, the Cold War, and the space race as a defining American achievement will resonate with you.

Maybe not for you if...

You want a technical manual or deep-dive into rocket science. This is about the people and the stakes, not the engineering specs.
You're looking for a quick read. This is thoroughly researched and substantial, not a light overview.
You have no interest in American history or space exploration. If the topic doesn't appeal to you, no amount of good writing will change that.

About this book

Shoot for the Moon chronicles the space race and the Apollo 11 mission, which landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon on July 20, 1969. The book covers the Mercury and Gemini missions that preceded Apollo 11, as well as key events including the Sputnik launch, John Glenn's Mercury flight, Gemini 8, and the Apollo 1 mission. The narrative focuses on the Apollo 11 landing itself, including the moment when a 1202 computer alarm flashed during the final descent while fuel ran low. The mission involved over 410,000 people working to achieve this technological feat during the Cold War space race against the Soviets. Set against the tensions of the 1960s and the Cold War, the book examines the dangers, challenges, and determination required for these missions. It presents both the sweeping scope and intimate details of one of humanity's greatest technological accomplishments.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

$2.99 – $15.99

Price has dropped 9 times over the last 6 years. Goes on sale roughly every 238 days. Typically stays discounted for 28 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Currently around #20K in the Kindle store — a steady mid-list seller. Sales have softened 45% recently.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Currently 4.7★ from 536 reviews

Gaining approximately 1 new review per month. Rating has remained stable at 4.7 over the tracking period.

Sale Prediction

Actual Predicted

This book goes on sale roughly every 238 days. Next drop estimated in about 31 weeks. Typical discount: 81% off.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.