Large and Dangerous Rocket Ships: The History of High-Power Rocketry s Ascent to the Edges of Outer Space

I picked this up primarily due to the fact that I am getting into launching high power rockets with our local Tripoli Prefecture (Notra). What I didn't expect was to find out the pivotal role that many of the members of our Prefecture have had tracing all the way back to the beginning of the hobby. Chris Pearson, our current Prefect literally started high power launches with LDRS1 located in Medina Ohio. Tom Blazinin, Steve Eves, Francis Graham, Barry Lynch all members. Had no idea being new to the sport the contributions these folks made to High Power Rocketry. While it's essentially a history book, it reads like a novel and you get a fascinating insight on how High Power evolved to what it is today. Early history, founding of LOC (Lots of Crafts), Aerotech and more, all covered in great detail. A must for anyone who wants to come up to speed quickly on how things came to be how they currently are. And, If you are ever in North East Ohio, visit northernohiotra.com and get in touch to see if we are launching. All are welcome, Low, Mid or High Power 1/4 A to L. Hope to see some new faces on the field.

This book is an extremely comprehensive and incredibly well-researched work. For those who are already into rocketry, or are interested, this is an essential read on how the current state of "high power rocketry" has evolved. Despite being a very large and highly detailed effort, the narrative is smooth and highly readable. Having been a previous president of the Tripoli Rocketry Association, and having been personally involved in the evolution of high power rocketry for many decades, I can say that even I was much better informed after having read the book. This is a testament to the years of scrupulous work, countless interviews, and extensive document reviews that Mr. Canepa undertook to compile this incredible book. Highly recommended.

I've been involved in the hobby of High Power Rocketry for nearly 20 years and in fact know at least a few of the folks who appear in this history quite well. That said, the depth of this history I have never known. If you're into this hobby, this is a must-read book. Mark Canepa has done a thorough job in documenting the early days of the hobby and how it grew up through just a year or two back. The one area of weakness I found was that while he went into great depth on a couple of the prominent rocket motor manufacturers that are still in existence, he didn't get much information on a number of the early motor manufacturers such as Ellis Mountain nor into one of the largest of the modern manufacturers, Cesaroni. All in all a fantastic book. Buy it.

I just finished this incredible book! A very complete and entertaining history of High Power Rocketry. This is an amazing description of how rocketry evolved from the late 1970s. I know, I was there for LDRS-1!! A great deal of the book relates the battle with the BATF, which was never coherently published before. i found the book to be factually accurate and a great read. It was hard, however, to read about all the friends who have passed away since this journey started. Buy this book immediately!

I was very impressed with the staggering amount of work and research that Mark Canepa poured into this book. If you have any interest in amateur high-power rocketry you will recognize many of the names but also learn stories that are new to you. I read it in a few days and then immediately ordered another copy sent to a friend (who was mentioned on page 674). Having said that, a ruthlessly edited re-write that only touched on the main turning points in the story might appeal to a broader audience. I liked it a lot. Would you? Depends...

Unlike its title this is the history of very serious high power rocketeers. Although I got my L1 and L2 earlier this year with the NAR, I’ll be going after my L3 certification with Tripoli, because it will be more meaningful — “... not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept ...” — President John F. Kennedy about the effort to reach the Moon, September 12, 1962.

I couldn't be happier with this book, Mr. Canepa is quite an author, he has gotten it right, I was at some of the early events that are described and the accounts are wonderfully written, I'm so glad someone has taken the time to do the research, I especially like the fact that there are so many people listed, and the account is very vivid, thank you sir for the trip down memory lane, I've got to get to the next LDRS and see some of these wonderful people again. Gary Fillible TRA20

For anybody interested in the hobby and wanting to know about the history and the legal woes that have occurred and to recognize the people who helped to see the hobby grow to no bounds, this book is the one to have. It’s great 👍🏼

A great history of high power rocketry and how it developed. It also goes into the history of the annual LDRS launch and the founding of Tripoli Rocketry Association.

The book focuses on the biggest high-power rocket launches and the people that made them possible. If you are new to high-power rocketry, you'll get an appreciation of some of the characters that built the hobby and the battles they faced. If you've been around rocketry for a while, you'll know many of the people, at least a little, and you'll learn about their contributions to a great hobby.

I picked this up primarily due to the fact that I am getting into launching high power rockets with our local Tripoli Prefecture (Notra). What I didn't expect was to find out the pivotal role that many of the members of our Prefecture have had tracing all the way back to the beginning of the hobby. Chris Pearson, our current Prefect literally started high power launches with LDRS1 located in Medina Ohio. Tom Blazinin, Steve Eves, Francis Graham, Barry Lynch all members. Had no idea being new to the sport the contributions these folks made to High Power Rocketry. While it's essentially a history book, it reads like a novel and you get a fascinating insight on how High Power evolved to what it is today. Early history, founding of LOC (Lots of Crafts), Aerotech and more, all covered in great detail. A must for anyone who wants to come up to speed quickly on how things came to be how they currently are. And, If you are ever in North East Ohio, visit northernohiotra.com and get in touch to see if we are launching. All are welcome, Low, Mid or High Power 1/4 A to L. Hope to see some new faces on the field.

This book is an extremely comprehensive and incredibly well-researched work. For those who are already into rocketry, or are interested, this is an essential read on how the current state of "high power rocketry" has evolved. Despite being a very large and highly detailed effort, the narrative is smooth and highly readable. Having been a previous president of the Tripoli Rocketry Association, and having been personally involved in the evolution of high power rocketry for many decades, I can say that even I was much better informed after having read the book. This is a testament to the years of scrupulous work, countless interviews, and extensive document reviews that Mr. Canepa undertook to compile this incredible book. Highly recommended.

I've been involved in the hobby of High Power Rocketry for nearly 20 years and in fact know at least a few of the folks who appear in this history quite well. That said, the depth of this history I have never known. If you're into this hobby, this is a must-read book. Mark Canepa has done a thorough job in documenting the early days of the hobby and how it grew up through just a year or two back. The one area of weakness I found was that while he went into great depth on a couple of the prominent rocket motor manufacturers that are still in existence, he didn't get much information on a number of the early motor manufacturers such as Ellis Mountain nor into one of the largest of the modern manufacturers, Cesaroni. All in all a fantastic book. Buy it.

I just finished this incredible book! A very complete and entertaining history of High Power Rocketry. This is an amazing description of how rocketry evolved from the late 1970s. I know, I was there for LDRS-1!! A great deal of the book relates the battle with the BATF, which was never coherently published before. i found the book to be factually accurate and a great read. It was hard, however, to read about all the friends who have passed away since this journey started. Buy this book immediately!

I was very impressed with the staggering amount of work and research that Mark Canepa poured into this book. If you have any interest in amateur high-power rocketry you will recognize many of the names but also learn stories that are new to you. I read it in a few days and then immediately ordered another copy sent to a friend (who was mentioned on page 674). Having said that, a ruthlessly edited re-write that only touched on the main turning points in the story might appeal to a broader audience. I liked it a lot. Would you? Depends...

Unlike its title this is the history of very serious high power rocketeers. Although I got my L1 and L2 earlier this year with the NAR, I’ll be going after my L3 certification with Tripoli, because it will be more meaningful — “... not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept ...” — President John F. Kennedy about the effort to reach the Moon, September 12, 1962.

I couldn't be happier with this book, Mr. Canepa is quite an author, he has gotten it right, I was at some of the early events that are described and the accounts are wonderfully written, I'm so glad someone has taken the time to do the research, I especially like the fact that there are so many people listed, and the account is very vivid, thank you sir for the trip down memory lane, I've got to get to the next LDRS and see some of these wonderful people again. Gary Fillible TRA20

For anybody interested in the hobby and wanting to know about the history and the legal woes that have occurred and to recognize the people who helped to see the hobby grow to no bounds, this book is the one to have. It’s great 👍🏼

A great history of high power rocketry and how it developed. It also goes into the history of the annual LDRS launch and the founding of Tripoli Rocketry Association.

The book focuses on the biggest high-power rocket launches and the people that made them possible. If you are new to high-power rocketry, you'll get an appreciation of some of the characters that built the hobby and the battles they faced. If you've been around rocketry for a while, you'll know many of the people, at least a little, and you'll learn about their contributions to a great hobby.

As someone who has been involved in high power rocketry, this book is a fantastic overview of the history of the hobby. The organization is excellent, and the information is fascinating. I learned so much, not just the events, but also the people who shaped them, especially seeing names I recognized. Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn more about HIgh Power history.

This is a great historical perspective of the history of high power rocketry. There have been many interesting and influential characters who have shaped the hobby from its early years. Mark captures the successes, failures, conflicts, and compromises that allow us to enjoy a legal, safe hobby today. I encourage all rocketeers to read this history to gain a deeper appreciation for those that paved the way, and to dwell on how to keep our hobby safe and viable for the future.

Really long reading if your obsessed with rambling thoughts of rocketry.

Great history of the hobby of rocketry and LDRS. It helped to understand how the hobby changed over time. Great job.

Riveting account of the history of high power rocketry. Almost couldn’t put it down, but it was too long to read in one sitting!

Very interesting and informative

If you are in to rocketry, especially high power, you should read this book. It is really a very read. So much history about the NAR and Tripoli. Highly recommended for your rocketry catalog.

Great book on the history of LDRS

Well written history of high power rocketry. Very interesting insights and stories.

Great read

It was a gift for my husband and he loved it!

I read the Kindle version while waiting on the hard copy. Don't start reading this late at night you or you might notice time has slipped by and you need to get ready for work ! This is an exhilarating and enthralling reading on the early history of High Power Rocketry. The author's writing is done in a way you can hear and visialise the happenings in your mind like you were listening to an audio book.