Synopses & Reviews
Based on the Nebula Award–winning novellaThe morning after Neil Armstrong's funeral, a ghostly Saturn V rocket launches from Cape Canaveral. It shakes the ground and rumbles with all the fury of a real launch, sending back telemetry all the way to the moon, stopping at the point where a human would have to take control to land. NASA is shocked when this ghost launch becomes a monthly experience. When humanity loses interest, the rocket becomes near invisible. When we pay attention, Jerry Oltion's expanded Nebula Award-winning novella shows us that reality is what we make of it.
Review
“In a field that prizes imagination, Jerry Oltion is one of our most vivid and enthusiastic explorers of new ideas.”David Brin
“Above a solid foundation of knowledge and sense, Jerry Oltions stories sparkle with imagination, wit, and verve. Theyre not only fun to read, theyre worth reading.”Poul Anderson
“A Jerry Oltion story is guaranteed to have a compelling and compassionate voice, with a sure grasp on the strangeness of the universe. His characters, like Jerry himself, understand the necessity of adventure and challenge.”Greg Bear
“Jerry is just beginning to get the kind of recognition that he deserves.”Damon Knight
“Jerry pulls off a miracle that is rare in this genreat the same time, he writes great science stories with people in them . . . and he also writes great people stories with science in them. His work is always a pleasure to read.”Kevin J. Anderson
Synopsis
Jerry Oltion was 11-years-old when Neil Armstrong took humanity's first step on the moon. He watched as science fiction became reality -- and he watched in horror as we abandoned the high ground we had won. Based on his Nebula Award-winning story "Abandon in Place, " Oltion explores the ghost of the space program that has haunted him ever since.
The morning after Neil Armstrong's funeral, a ghostly Saturn V rocket launches from Cape Canaveral. It shakes the ground and rumbles with all the fury of a real launch, sending back telemetry all the way to the moon, stopping at the point where a human would have to take control to land. NASA is shocked when the ghost launches become a monthly experience. When humanity loses interest, the rocket becomes near invisible. When we pay attention, reality becomes what we make of it.
About the Author
Jerry Oltion has been a gardener, stone mason, carpenter, oilfield worker, forester, land surveyor, rock 'n' roll deejay, printer, proofreader, editor, publisher, computer consultant, movie extra, corporate secretary, and garbage truck driver.
He is also the author of over 100 published short stories and over a dozen novels, including the Tor books Abandon in Place, The Getaway Special, and Anywhere But Here. His work has won the Nebula Award and has been nominated for the Hugo award. Born and raised in Wyoming, he now lives in Eugene, Oregon, with his wife, Kathy, and the obligatory writer's cat, Ginger.