Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, a satellite that would circle the Earth every ninety minutes. It was a huge announcement, and everyone knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

#2 When news of Sputnik broke, there was only one response from General Medaris: Those damn bastards! The way he said it, no one knew whether he was talking about the Russians, his Vanguard rivals, or the administration officials who had refused to give him free rein.

#3 The first Sputnik had not been a fluke, a lucky shot, or a gimmick. The Soviets had a real and substantial head start, and they were not going to be shy about flaunting it.

#4 After the launch of the Soviet Union's first satellite, Sputnik, America began to panic. But it was just a little bit too late. Our civilian space program and our various classified defense efforts were proceeding apace, and all would work out in due course.