Preludes to U.S. Space-Launch Vehicle Technology: Goddard Rockets to Minuteman III
Roger Launius concluded a full-page review of these two volumes with: "There is much to praise and little to criticize in these two fine volumes on the history of U.S. rocket technology. . . .  They come as close to this ideal [a definitive history] as we are likely ever to see." Elsewhere, he says things like, "his [Hunley's]work is a benchmark in the process of the invention of spaceflight and its evolution throughout time" and "both works do a superb job of tracing the main lines of development of the major rocket technologies." --Quest: The History of Spaceflight Quarterly, 15:4 2008These two volumes constitute "a thoughtful review of the technological changes and their defining reasons rather than a recitation of program development events. The thoughtfulness comes via linkages. For example there's a description of the evolution from aniline-nitric acid propellants used in the WAC Corporal to the inhibited white fuming nitric acid propellant for Vanguard." The second volume in the set shows that rocketry consists "more of engineers doing than [of] scientists knowing." Nevertheless, the reader will encounter again and again the determination of the practitioners to find a workable solution that then goes on to be a fundamental step in the progress of rocketry." Both volumes show "that, with the right resources, humans can accomplish near magical travel away from Earth."   --Universetoday.com