[FPSPACE] Challenge to Apollo

[Dwayne Allen Day]

On Wed, 20 Sep 2000, Chris Jones wrote:

>   Asif A. Siddiqi, Challenge to Apollo: The Soviet Union and the Space Race,
>   1945-1974 (Washington, D.C.: NASA SP-2000-4408)
>   
>   http://bookstore.gpo.gov/index.html
>   
> or maybe not.  I'm eagerly looking forward to reading this book, but I've had
> an experience similar to that reported by other members of this list, an
> experience that has left a sour taste in my mouth.

Welcome to the joys of the Government Printing Office, the last vestige of
Stalinism on the planet.


> disappointed to receive a postcard several days ago saying that the book was
> out of stock and backordered and I should now expect to receive it in two or
> three MONTHS.  So, when they have the book, they can't sell it, and when they
> can sell it, they don't have it.  Sheesh!  I can't imagine how miniscule a
> print run they must have done if the book can sell out on the first day (or

What likely happened was that the GPO office that actually fills orders
only had a few and they sold out really quickly.  They are a surly bunch
that does not like to help their customers (because they do not have to).

I believe that Asif posted that you can also order it through NASA
itself.  NASA has some kind of public office that sells NASA-related GPO
books.

My suggestion would be to check this out.  If it works and they have
copies, then cancel your GPO order and order it through them instead.



DDAY