{"product_id":"eisenhowers-sputnik-moment-the-race-for-space-and-world-prestige-9780801451508","title":"Eisenhower's Sputnik Moment: The Race for Space and World Prestige","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn a critical Cold War moment  Dwight D. Eisenhowers presidency suddenly changed when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik  the worlds first satellite. What Ike called \"a small ball\" became a source of Russian pride and propaganda  and it wounded him politically  as critics charged that he responded sluggishly to the challenge of space exploration. Yet Eisenhower refused to panic after Sputnikand he did more than just stay calm. He helped to guide the United States into the Space Age  even though Americans have given greater credit to John F. Kennedy for that achievement.  In Eisenhowers Sputnik Moment  Yanek Mieczkowski examines the early history of Americas space program  reassessing Eisenhowers leadership. He details how Eisenhower approved breakthrough satellites  supported a new civilian space agency  signed a landmark science education law  and fostered improved relations with scientists. These feats made Eisenhowers post-Sputnik years not the flop that critics alleged but a time of remarkable progress  even as he endured the setbacks of recession  medical illness  and a humiliating first U.S. attempt to launch a satellite. Eisenhowers principled stands enabled him to resist intense pressure to boost federal spending  and he instead pursued his prioritiesa balanced budget  prosperous economy  and sturdy national defense. Yet Sputnik also altered the worlds power dynamics  sweeping Eisenhower in directions that were neweven aliento him  and he misjudged the importance of space in the Cold Wars \"prestige race.\" By contrast  Kennedy capitalized on the issue in the 1960 election  and after taking office he urged a manned mission to the moon  leaving Eisenhower to grumble over the young presidents aggressive approach.  Offering a fast-paced account of this Cold War episode  Mieczkowski demonstrates that Eisenhower built an impressive record in space and on earth  all the while offering warnings about Americas stature and strengths that still hold true today.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45647008825397,"sku":"ByrdShop_0801451507","price":23.7,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780801451508.jpg?v=1781685347","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/eisenhowers-sputnik-moment-the-race-for-space-and-world-prestige-9780801451508","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}