"Col. Winterstein is a courageous patriot and pioneer of America's space program … He has a great, but sometimes dark, story to tell … what became of the men who took us there. " Pat J. Buchanan
Part I Sacrifices and Struggles
The author paints a very human picture of German scientists immigrating to America and using their immense talents to help humankind achieve Space travel. The hardships faced in the transition from being enemies of this country and their sacrifices in accomplishing the amazing challenge of putting Man on the Moon are recounted by the "Oldtimers" and the "Prisoners of Peace".
Part II After the Moon Mission
· What caused the breakup of the German rocket team (as told by von Braun)?
· Where is our National Monument to the Moon Mission?
· Why are our Space Heroes vilified?
· Why is history continually distorted?
The seemingly purposeful distortion of history, before and after the moon mission, is portrayed. Departments within our government act against our Space heroes and sabotage their legacy. Foreign governments and international law find the German rocket team innocent.
The knowledge that Man could have been on the Moon in the 1950's instead of the 1960's is breathtaking when one thinks of where we could be technologically today had this occurred.
Lt. Colonel William Winterstein should be commended for his courage in exposing the deep secrets of the Space Program. Upon finishing this book I came away with two impressions. The first being how suppressed the history is of the fact that it was the German Scientist who propelled the U.S. into space and on to the moon. It's amazing how neglected and hidden this fact is, as if it would be an embarrassment to our country.
The other of course is the much more troubling fact; that these great scientist were targeted by the DOJ's Office of Special Investigations for obviously nothing more than vengeful political gain. Now, years after his prosecution, Arthur Rudolph's story is one of our nations greatest tragedies. The conduct of the OSI, from the Directors Rosenbaum & Sher, on down to the prosecuting attorney's is a story of government sanctioned terrorism. There's no other way to state it, sheer, appalling unjust reign of terror.
The fact that despite the clear and wrongful conduct of Neal Sher as Director of OSI (who has since been disbarred for his actions in steeling from WJC's Holocaust victims relief funds), that he goes un-prosecuted for his crimes continues to be a great mystery. It demonstrates that some people are above the laws and some groups have the powers to control the judicial system of our government.
Perhaps herein lies the interesting fact that while the book was published in August, Amazon has book sellers selling used books for $12. Is this to give an impression the book and its contents are worthless? Look at who endorsed the book and what they have said! Clearly, some people have much to hide. This book should be required reading by Aviation Historians as well as any and everyone interested in knowing just how corrupt and 'sold out' our government can be!
Heinz Bartesch San Rafael, CA
Pat J. Buchannan & Edgar Mitchell Review Book plus many others., September 10, 2005
Edgar Mitchell was the Lunar Command pilot of Apollo 14.
"Secrets of The Space Age" is an important addition to U.S. history and to the record of U.S. efforts in space. Edgar Mitchell, Sc.D. Capt USN (Ret.) Apollo Astronaut
Col. Winterstein is a courageous patriot and pioneer of America's space program from its birth with the testing of the captured German V-2 rockets to the landings on the moon. He has a great, but sometimes dark, story to tell about America's advance into space and about what became of the men who took us there. Patrick J Buchanan
Winterstein's book is a must read historical milestone. It begins with the advent of the space age of America. He was custodian of the German rocket team led by Dr. Wernher von Braun, who were invited to come to this country by President Truman immediately after WWII in 1945. He convinced von Braun to keep his team intact. This led to America's space victory in 1969, when von Braun and his team launched humankind into the space age by placing U.S. astronauts on the moon. Thus von Braun's dreams came true for opening up the new frontier for the peaceful use of all humankind. The final days of America's greatest space hero are also revealed in most interesting detail. Dr. Carol Rosin, President, Institute for Cooperation in Space
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: William E. Winterstein Sr. is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and internationally known rocket expert who was part of the Apollo team that put the first man on the moon.
As an Ordnance Technical Intelligence Officer, he earned the Bronze Star for his involvement with shooting Japanese rockets back at Japanese troops. After WWII, he was responsible for security of the team of German rocket scientists headed by Dr. Wernher von Braun. He was the first person to hold the position of First Administrative Officer, NASA Test Operations located at Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. On the Apollo program, as the Logistics Manager for the second stage of Saturn V rocket, he worked closely with von Braun and his team.
A father of two children, the author lives in southern California.
The book contains an impressive mini-biography making clear the author's intimate knowledge of the subject matter. It has received many endorsements from prominent people familiar with these historic events.
Troubling Secrets indeed!, September 16, 2005
