The first authoritative biography of Wernher von Braun, chief rocket engineer of the Third Reich₂creator of the infamous V-2 rocket₂who became one of the fathers of the U.S. space program. In this meticulously researched and vividly written life, Michael J. Neufeld gives us a man of profound moral complexities, glorified as a visionary and vilified as a war criminal, a man whose brilliance and charisma were coupled with an enormous and, some would say, blinding ambition.

A romantic urge -- The wheel of progress (to 1925) -- Sonny bot (1925-32) -- The black sedan (1932-34) -- How much do you want? (1935-37) -- His indisputable genius (1937-39) -- Future dreams (1939-42) -- A pretty hellish environment (1942-44) -- A young man, of very Germanic appearance (1944-45) -- Morning in the desert (1945-46) -- Mars project (1946-49) -- Space superiority (1950-54) -- We could do it! (1954-57) -- The seer of space (1957-58) -- I aim at the stars (1958-60) -- Before this decade is out (1960-63) -- You're an optimist, but then, so am I (1963-67) -- A pretty emotional moment (1967-69) -- For him, a world was falling apart (1969-72) -- The heavens declare the Glory of God (1972-77) -- A Faustian shadow.