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Interviews | January 24, 2012

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Ben MarcusBen Marcus's books The Age of Wire and String and Notable American Women were considered "experimental" fiction because of his unconventional use of... Continue »
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Magnificent Failure: Free Fall from the Edge of Space

by Craig Ryan

Magnificent Failure: Free Fall from the Edge of Space Cover

ISBN13: 9781588341419
ISBN10: 1588341410
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Locked in a desperate Cold War race against the Soviets to find out if humans could survive in space and live through a free fall from space vehicles, the Pentagon gave civilian adventurer Nick Piantanidas Project Strato-Jump little notice until May Day, 1966. Operating in the shadows of well-funded, high-visibility Air Force and Navy projects, the former truck driver and pet store owner set a new world record for manned balloon altitude. Rising more than 23 miles over the South Dakota prairie, Piantanida nearly perished trying to set the world record for the highest free fall parachute jump from that height. On his next attempt, he would not be so lucky. Part harrowing adventure story, part space history, part psychological portrait of an extraordinary risk-taker, this story fascinates and intrigues the armchair adventurer in all of us.

Synopsis:

Locked in a desperate Cold War race against the Soviets to find out if humans could survive in space and live through a free fall from space vehicles, the Pentagon gave civilian adventurer Nick Piantanidas Project Strato-Jump little notice until May Day, 1966. Operating in the shadows of well-funded, high-visibility Air Force and Navy projects, the former truck driver and pet store owner set a new world record for manned balloon altitude. Rising more than 23 miles over the South Dakota prairie, Piantanida nearly perished trying to set the world record for the highest free fall parachute jump from that height. On his next attempt, he would not be so lucky. Part harrowing adventure story, part space history, part psychological portrait of an extraordinary risk-taker, this story fascinates and intrigues the armchair adventurer in all of us.
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About the Author

Author of The Preastronauts, Craig Ryan lives in Oregon.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
narble, December 27, 2006 (view all comments by narble)
Magnificent Failure is an amazing story that is very well told. Do they make people like Nick Piantanida any more? Where are they? Our culture has become a glorification of sheep, following the food, following the water, following each other, all the while letting dogs nip at our heels. Mr. Ryan has given us a glimpse into a complex individual who simply did not recognize obstacles the way the rest of us do. Insightful. Gripping. A book for anyone who has lost touch with what the human spirit is capable of.

J.R. Stewart, Portland, Oregon
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781588341419
Author:
Ryan, Craig
Publisher:
Smithsonian Books (DC)
Author:
RYAN C
Author:
Ryan, C.
Location:
Washington, D.C.
Subject:
General
Subject:
History
Subject:
Aeronautics
Subject:
Adventurers & Explorers
Subject:
Parachuting
Subject:
Balloonists.
Subject:
Aeronautics -- Records.
Subject:
Parachuting -- History.
Subject:
Biography - General
Copyright:
2003
Series Volume:
no. 250
Publication Date:
20031031
Binding:
HARDCOVER
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
22 BandW PHOTOS, 3 BandW ILLS.
Pages:
320
Dimensions:
9.04x6.30x1.00 in. 1.25 lbs.
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Magnificent Failure: Free Fall from the Edge of Space New Hardcover
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$29.95 In Stock
Product details 320 pages Smithsonian Books - English 9781588341419 Reviews:
"Synopsis" by , Locked in a desperate Cold War race against the Soviets to find out if humans could survive in space and live through a free fall from space vehicles, the Pentagon gave civilian adventurer Nick Piantanidas Project Strato-Jump little notice until May Day, 1966. Operating in the shadows of well-funded, high-visibility Air Force and Navy projects, the former truck driver and pet store owner set a new world record for manned balloon altitude. Rising more than 23 miles over the South Dakota prairie, Piantanida nearly perished trying to set the world record for the highest free fall parachute jump from that height. On his next attempt, he would not be so lucky. Part harrowing adventure story, part space history, part psychological portrait of an extraordinary risk-taker, this story fascinates and intrigues the armchair adventurer in all of us.
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