ARA Press

Spaceship Handbook of the 20th Century Fictional, Factual and Fantasy

by  Jack Hagerty and Jon C. Rogers

Reviewed By  Rich Marchiafava, IPMS# 39230

MSRP: $59.95 ISBN: 10: 0-9707604-0-x ISBN 13: 978-0-9707604-0-1 Website: www.arapress.com In the world of sci-fi there are stories of epic proportion and then are stories that just don't catch on as much as other. When I agreed to review this book I decided early on to read it with an open mind and not judge it because I'm generally biased toward Star Trek, BSG, and Star Wars. When I started to read the 534 page book I have to admit I was Impressed because of the amount of the information and research that went into this book . This book covers the spaceship real life as well as fictional and fantasy. When I sat down to write this review I honestly didn't know where to start or how to start it . I went to www.arapress.com to try and get some ideas and found the following information in the next paragraph. They also have other links you may go to in PDF. Format to view samples of the book. 75 Theoretical, Fictional and Real (but cancelled) subjects. Detailed Data Drawings. Historical background with plot/mission summaries. Durable Smyth-sewn hardcover binding. 534 pages (8 1/2" x 11"). Due to popular demand, we have run a limited reprint of the original Spaceship Handbook. Spaceship Handbook examines 75 influential Rocket and Spacecraft designs of the 20th Century, their designers, and the stories surrounding their creation. These stories tell of the spaceship's birth in the work of theoretical geniuses, its struggle for acceptance in Entertainment, and the exciting prospects for real spaceships in the near future. Written by Jack Hagerty and Jon C. Rogers with a foreword by noted aerospace authority Frederick I. Ordway III, the book is large (11.5" by 9" by 1.5" thick) hardbound, and printed on 80 lb matte coated stock with Smyth-sewn binding. It is 534 pages including Introductions, Appendices, a 16-page index; and has a beautiful oil painted cover. In addition to the 114 detailed Data Drawings sheets that are central to its documenting 20th Century spaceships, it contains 250 Color Pictures, 150 black and white pictures, and over 100 additional illustrations. All in all this book is a must have for the serious sci-fi modeler. With all the full color pictures and data drawings the scratch builder will love the plans. I would definitely recommend this book. I would like to thank ARA Press and IPMS for our copy. [Editor's Note: ARA Press offers, to IPMS Members, a 15% discount on anything in the store by typing the code 'IPMS-R' into the box at checkout.]