Product Description
Open Space Technology: A User's Guide is just what the name implies: a hands-on, detailed description of facilitating Open Space Technology (OST). Written by the originator of the method-an effective, economical, fast, and easily-repeatable strategy for organizing meetings of between 5 and 1,000 participants-this is the first book to document the rationale, procedures, and requirements of OST.OST enables self-organizing groups of all sizes to deal with hugely complex issues in a very short period of time. This practical, step-by-step user's guide details what needs to be done before, during, and after an Open Space event. 1

Owen begins by detailing all the practical considerations necessary to create Open Space. He begins with the most important question-should you do Open Space at all-and examines what types of situations are appropriate for Open Space Technology and what types are not. He goes on to look at nuts-and-bolts issues such as supplies, logistics, and who should come and how you should go about getting them there. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

How to benefit from lots of people
Most organizations are full of lots of varied, intelligent people, with experience to contribute if only you could find a way to gather their contributions. Without issues of ego, prestige, rank, culture, language, or education getting in the way. Open Space Technology is a meeting facilitation method that its originators think can achieve all that. While the method, as described in the book, may seem a bit "touchy-feely", it looks easy enough to try and see. Especially because the book is written as a down-to-earth how-to manual. Refreshing in its simplicity, in telling you what small details do matter for the success of the method, and what issues don't matter. Actually trying the method might look a little bit scary, but start by just reading the book -- that's easy enough. There's very little to lose, and a lot to gain if this simple conferencing method really can bring out the benefits from all your good people.

This book can be your cornerstone for creating a Learning Organization!
I have successfully organized and facilitated several Open Space workshops using this as my "go-to" resource. It brings the technology to practical life by outlining how to facilitate the before, during and after aspects of a successful Open Space event. I highly recommend this book for those who want to become Open Space facilitators!

If you are interested in creating a Learning Organization... pick up a copy of this book!

Useful handbook of a counterintuitive approach
Open Space Technology is nearly identical to the "unconference" approach to workshop and event planning that's currently fashionable (see "Foo Camp" or "Bar Camp" or many other geek-oriented "camps). Basically, abandon a traditional agenda and force the workshop participants to self-organize a schedule, goals, and work. It's profoundly counter-intuitive, everyone assumes that a strict plan is necessary...but it turns out to work. People really enjoy participating in an event where their opinions matter, and where everyone's responsible for raising issues they find important.

This book can come across as annoyingly new agey and dippy at times (I see someone's tagged it "embracing group genius" here on Amazon...your mileage may vary a bit from that). It's probably more helpful in getting you the facilitator into the right mindset, and encouraging you not to fall back on the crutches of detailed schedules or keynote speakers. It's pretty dated when it talks about using computers in your event, but that doesn't really matter.

Bible of Open Space
This is a very good hand-book for open space newcomers.Easy to understand and easy to read.I strongly suggest this book for anybody who want to start learning open space technology

One of the most valuable books in the world
As Brookings revealed in 2000, most of the world's 10000 biggest organisations don't yet have the measures to govern the vast majority of value now produced in services and knowledge businesses because as our networking age blossoms value dynamics are mainly intangible, deeply woven into the human relationships we self-organise, not for precise planning and overpowering command and control from the top. Value multiplication is a core gravity which should be embedded in everyone's right to work, learn , behave openly.

Whilst some of those of the transparency communities interlinking at http://www.valuetrue.com open source the simplest maths of intangible systems, others have much more fun voting on what are the safest methods to protect your system from doing an Andersen or a NASA self-destruction of its greatest purpose. Open Space is voted as the number 1 method uniting transparency communities, and because of its simplicity I predict it will always be the gateway to anyone who prizes self-organising, a term which actually means making the most of everyone's time, learning and passions to make a diffeernce to our overall purpose. A very valuable book, which in my dreams would start any MBA course or any professional's training.

Open Space is now 21 years young and over 100000 experiences mature and networked by people who are both most open with their knowlhow and conscious that you learn something subly more about human relationship trust from every Open Space you particpate in. It is as near as organisations (seen as human relationship infrastructures) can get to a modern day miracle, and long may Harrison light up the open world. See his latest deep concerns with conflict resolution applications at http://www.practiceofpeace.com ... Read more

Product Description
The fascinating story behind the development of the first American manned space program and its associated infrastructure. Softcover. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Reads like a text book.
I was looking for more of a story, but there is a lot of information and history in this book.

Great Book!
Like all of Springer Paxis Books I knew I had to have this one and I was not dissapointed in this one. The book covers all aspects of the program from launch vehicles to launch facilities as well as the astronauts themselves!! It goes into the design studies and concepts, as well as the selection process for the astronauts. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume contains over 100 key documents, many of which are published for the first time. Each is introduced by a headnote providing context, bibliographical details, and background information necessary to understand the document. These are organized into two chapters, each beginning with an essay that keys the documents to major events in the history. ... Read more

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The Space Telescope, launched into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle late in 1989, promised to be the most powerful optical telescope ever built, yielding new insights into the past, present, and future of the universe. The authors trace the Telescope's history and detail the astonishingly complex interactions that took place between the scientific community, government, and private industry in the course of its development. The Telescope is thus much more than a new astronomical instrument but instead must be seen as the product of a great range of forces: scientific, technical, political, social, institutional, and economic. The history of the Space Telescope is set in the context of post-World War II science and 'Big Science' - large scale scientific projects that require massive federal funding and are as much political and managerial efforts as they are scientific and technical ones. The Space Telescope is an example of a Big Science program of the very largest kind, and the book thus reveals the many complex factors and new institutions and strategies that are involved in funding and carrying out large scale scientific projects in the late twentieth century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

What a big project got to go through
If you thought they just build the Hubble Space Telescope and launched it, you're wrong. This book let you see what all such projects got to go through from the first bright idea and to the actual launch of an earth orbiting space vehicle. Sander Elvik, aerospace engineering student ... Read more

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Built around the common core of physics A Level syllabuses this book, which is one of a series of eight titles, covers all the compulsory content with the aim of promoting independent learning for post-16 students. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (9)

A greatdefinitive book on the M-7, best yet
Because of a personal and a friendship with someone who knew most of the guys, I can honestly say Buckbee was/is right on..I've read most of the books out on the guys, and this one shows a different side of them, dedicated and close nit...Something rarely found in a group this size...
A darn good comfortable read, worth your time...

Warning on buying used - potential DVD problems
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I checked this book out from the local public library and decided it was good enough (3.5 stars) to want to own a copy for myself.The book is an interesting read if you are really big-time into the early U.S. space program.The videos on the DVD are very dated, but considering the topic is the early days of space flight, what would you expect?The "Gotcha!" videos were probably hilarious to NASA employees in the early 60s, but fall short now.

I saved by buying "used - like new" from an Amazon Marketplace seller.I trust Amazon (and the Amazon Marketplace) for nearly ALL my book and video purchases.

WARNING:The DVD that I received with the "used" book was a single-sided DVD-R (recordable) rather than a commercially-produced double-sided DVD-ROM (like the book from the library contained).The content was the same (with a slightly different menu, of course), but by fitting it on a single-sided disc it probably suffered a little file compression (reduction in quality).Considering the age of the videos, this is probably not really an issue.

A BIGGER concern, however, is that some DVD players, particularly older ones, have trouble with DVD-R discs, and DVD-R discs are more easily damaged and have a shorter life-expectancy than standard commercially-produced DVD-ROM discs.

I don't know if all the Amazon Marketplace sellers' copies of this book have DVD-R discs or just the one I chose, or if the publisher has switched to DVD-R in later printings of the book, or whatever, but keep this in mind if you have compatibility issues with DVD-R discs.It was not really an issue for me, but it might be for you...

The book is still an interesting read.The videos are really just a nice plus.Enjoy!Keep the dream alive!

The Real Space Cowboys
This book is a real tribute to the Mercury 7, as well as the millions of men and women who took the United States up into space.It traces the various steps of the astronauts from their fighter pilot days, until the days they flew the rocket ships into orbit and beyond.The book also contains numerous and interesting photos from that early era of manned space flight.

A must read for space buffs...
I was lucky enough to hear Ed speak while I was attending Teacher Space Camp and was totally sucked in by his incredible backstories of the original astronauts and the "US Space Race". If you have any interest in the space program, this is a must read. Ed and Wally do a great job in letting you know the men behind the legends and just how much fun they really are (were).

Heavy on Huntsville
This book is a valuable and interesting contribution to the early history of the United States space program.Probably due to the close involvement of the primary author with Wernher von Braun, there is an unexpectedly high proportion of the book devoted to those aspects of the space program related to Huntsville and the von Braun team's efforts there.This is not at all apparent from publicity releases about the book, or even from the cover of the book itself.While there is significant information contained in the book about the Mercury astronauts, its greater contribution is in its Huntsville-related content, which has not received such a degree of attention in most similar publications.Those who were involved in the program at Huntsville in those early days will find the book especially appealing. ... Read more

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Between 1968 and 1972, twenty four daring men journeyed from Earth to the Moon. This fascinating book traces what was a massive accomplishment right from the early launches through manned orbital spaceflights, detailing each step. Out of the battlefields of World War II came the gifted German engineers and designers who developed the V-2 rocket, which evolved into the powerful Saturn V booster that propelled men to the Moon. David Woods tells this exciting story, starting from America’s postwar astronautical research facilities. The techniques and procedures developed have been recognised as an example of human exploration at its greatest, demonstrating a peak of technological excellence.

Customer Reviews (27)

A Great Primer
A fantastic book for the layman and enthusiast alike. Covers all aspects of the lunar mission in a brilliant level of detail. A must have for anyone interested in Apollo history.

How Apollo flew to the Moon by Sara-an Apollo Engineer
What a nice book and a pleasure to read.The author really did his homework. Also, it was interesting to read from the perspective of a nice Brit.You did good! :).How do I know?

I am one of two women who worked as an aerospace engineer on the Saturn V.We worked on the first stage--the SI-C. I think the more interest in Apollo, the more we humans want to go to the stars. I learned some things in this book that I did not know.But this is not surprising since there were 400,000 people who worked on Apollo and we were scattered from coast to coast and border to border.

Just to let any readers who read this review know--oh, how we LOVED APOLLO!!! Check out: Inside the Apollo Project dot com.

Sara Howard, Author of "Something Funny Happened on the Way to The Moon" and "The Greatest Explosions in the Universe."

Absolutely worthwhile to read
Clear and a very understanding way of telling and explaning how we went to the moon.
It gives a lot of insight information. Comfortable reading, especially for some one abroad.

SUPERB!!!!!!
As an Apollo researcher,I have to say, this is the best non-professional book on Apollo operations.

Fascinating
An engrossing read. The depth of technical detail is astonishing but far from being a dry tome, the excerpts of astronauts' banter with mission control make it a human story of adventure & daring. ... Read more

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This remarkable book is a unique insight into the people involved in the development of the Salyut space station and the crews assigned to operate it. It describes the rotation between the crews, analyses the decision to send the back-up crew on Soyuz 11 and recounts the intrigues and difficult relationships between all the personalities involved - politicians, CKBEM managers, designers, generals and cosmonauts. Biographies of the Soyuz 11 cosmonauts are published for the first time in English and the longest manned space mission of the time is described before Grujica Ivanovich gives a unique summary of the most tragic day in the Soviet/Russian manned space program. An investigation into the cause of the tragic deaths of the Soyuz 11 cosmonauts precedes a description of the post-Salyut era, showing how the legacy of the first space station has survived for decades.

The first two chapters provide the history of the first Soviet space station projects Almaz, Soyuz-R, MKS and DOS from 1964 to1970 and cover the selection of DOS-1 crews in 1971, their training and crew rotations. Chapter 3 launches the Salyut space station with its first crew to occupy the first space station, while Chapter 4 portrays the drama of the Soyuz 10 mission in April 1971, which failed to dock with Salyut due to a broken docking probe element, culminating a dramatic night return to the Earth. The following two chapters describe the State Commission’s decision to replace the original crew of Soyuz 11 two days before the launch in June 1971 and introduce cosmonauts Dobrovolysky, Volkov and Patcayev. The launch of Soyuz 11, its docking with Salyut and the first days aboard the space station are described in Chapter 7 and the fire which almost curtailed the mission and led to Dobrovolsky and Volkov’s deteriorating relationship is then covered. The final stages of the mission, including the problems with the hatch before Soyuz 11 separated from the Salyut space station, are explained before the author details the separation of the orbital and service modules and the tragic mistake made by the cosmonauts. Chapter 10 describes the normal landing of Soyuz 11, the discovery of and attempts to revive the dead cosmonauts.

and includes the first interview with one of the rescuers. The author then demonstrates how detailed analysis found that, after separation from the orbital module, the internal pressure in the descent module dropped from 920mm to zero in 112 seconds due to the premature opening of one of the valves. Without spacesuits, the cosmonauts had only 15-20 seconds to close the valve and save their lives. An attempt by Dobrovolsky sadly failed. Further investigation identified numerous problems which contributed to the tragedy, including the valve technology, leaking of personal protection equipment, problems with the hatch and omissions in crew training, as well as confusion between the cosmonauts.

The last chapters describe the Post-Salyut era. After three single modular stations, in 1986 the USSR launched the base module of the third generation space station Mir, which has six docking probes. In the following years, Mir grew rapidly and was extended with five additional scientific modules to become a true space outpost continually occupied by humans, the dream of space pioneers. The service module Zvezda, a modified Salyut/DOS-1, currently serves as a core for the International Space Station. The book ends with memories of all those affected by the DOS program and the tragedy of the heroic Soyuz 11 crew and looks forward to a continuation of the historic mission of Salyut.

Customer Reviews (1)

Outstanding, Authoritative and Well-Researched - A Must Read!
Nearly 40 years after the tragic loss of the Soyuz 11 crew on June 30, 1971, Ivanovich has written a highly detailed account of the history of the first Salyut space station program.The author chronicles the events leading to establishment of the project and takes the reader through the chronology of the 23-day mission leading to the deaths of Dobrovolsky, Volkov and Patsayev.Similar to Cabbage and Harwood's "Comm Check," the book provides information on the subsequent investigation and the consequences to the Soviet/Russian space program.

Ivanovich reinforces other works that also demonstrate why the Soviets lost the moon race - inflated egos, mismanagement, bureaucracy and poor quality control - all of which resulted in the needless death of the crew.From the tragic loss, however, a more robust and safer space program ensued.

The prose is at times highly technical but reader patience is rewarded.The black-and-white photographs include many never before published.Ivanovich takes considerable effort in providing details of the lives and experiences of the three cosmonauts, including exerpts from family members.

This book is also a great companion piece to "The First Soviet Cosmonaut Team" and should be required reading for anyone who has been a follower of the Soviet/Russian space program. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Another NASA Reprint
Back in 1969, NASA printed "Project Vanguard - A History. It went for about $3.50 or so. A few years ago, I found a copy and thoroughly enjoyed its comprehensive coverage of the Program.

Project VANGUARD has always had a sour taste in people's minds , due to the unrealistic expectations , and the spectacular explosion that accompanied the first all-up launch. Live and on TV seen around the world.

So, when yet ANOTHER NASA History came out I was hoping for - at the very least - an update of the original text. No such luck. Aside from a Preface, it was the same 1969 text, with a snazzy color cover instead of the NASA Yellow one, and copyright protection.

Don't get me wrong - it is a fine text and well worth the money - if you don't already have the original edition.This resuscitation of old titles is a wonderful idea for people who missed the original printing , but - JeezLouise Folks - tell us old timers if it's just a reprint!

A Classic History of an Early Spaceflight Program Now Back in Print
This classic work by two superb historians, Constance McLaughlin Green and Milton Lomask, was originally published in 1969 and is now back in print after many years of being unavailable. It was an early history sponsored by the NASA History Office and it has long been viewed as definitive. Dover Books is to be congratulated for making it available once again in an inexpensive paperback edition.

This work tells the story of Project Vanguard, the Naval Research Laboratory's effort to develop the world's first Earth orbital satellite. Chosen as the U.S. effort on September 9, 1955, to support the scientific inquiry of the International Geophysical Year (IGY)--in part because it did not interfere with high-priority ballistic missile development programs--it proved somewhat less successful than intended but ultimately quite important from a scientific perspective. President Eisenhower's Vanguard decision called for existing organizations within the Department of Defense to develop and launch a small scientific satellite "under international auspices, such as the International Geophysical Year, in order to emphasize its peaceful purposes[;]...considerable prestige and psychological benefits will accrue to the nation which first is successful in launching a satellite...especially if the USSR were to be the first to establish a satellite." The U.S. approved a budget of $23.5 million, modest but considered adequate for the effort by scientific and technical personnel, to carry out the program.

Vanguard enjoyed exceptional publicity throughout the second half of 1955 and all of 1956 and 1957, but the technological demands upon the program were too great and the funding levels too small to foster much success. From initial cost estimates, Vanguard mushroomed to a cost of $67.9 million by August 1956 and to $110 million by the summer of 1957. While concerned about this growth, the Eisenhower administration did not want to cancel the program. Even as the program grew, it also encountered significant technological challenges that led to failure, including a dramatic December 6, 1957, launch attempt that exploded on the pad. Eventually, in March 1958 Vanguard 1 achieved orbital flight. Later missions added to the body of knowledge about the Earth and its radiation belts.

"Project Vanguard" is a comprehensive history of this program and a must read for anyone interested in the history of spaceflight. I am delighted to see it available once again in book form. It has been available on-line for several years at http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4202/cover.htm. This portable edition, however, is most welcome. ... Read more