Two Sides of the Moon: Our Story of the Cold War Space Race

David Scott and Alexei Leonov grew up on opposite sides of the Iron Curtain but shared a dream of flight. Both became elite fighter pilots selected by their countries' space programs to compete in the race to land a man on the moon. In this dual autobiography, astronaut Scott and cosmonaut Leonov recount their parallel careers at the forefront of space exploration, with each mission carrying extreme risks and both programs marked by tragedy. Leonov became the first person to walk in space—a historic achievement that nearly cost him his life. A year later, in 1966, Gemini 8 carrying Scott and Neil Armstrong spun out of control; Armstrong's quick decision saved them. Both later flew lunar missions: Armstrong commanded Apollo 11 and became the first person to walk on the moon, while Scott performed an EVA during Apollo 9 and commanded Apollo 15, the most complex lunar expedition to that point. Scott spent three days on the moon and became its seventh visitor. The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project brought Scott and Leonov together, marking a shift toward USA/USSR cooperation and ending the Cold War silence between them. Their memoirs document their courage, passion for exploration, and determination through both triumphs and extraordinary challenges.