This gorgeous coffee-table book with its stunning illustrations is one every reader is sure to reach for again and again. Beginning with the “Collier’s” magazine illustration depicting a reusable spaceplane atop a Wernher von Braun-designed rocket and ending with a depiction [from space] of the most important planet in the solar system, each incredible illustration helps to define the American space mission.

Since its inception in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has depended on artists to depict space missions and the possibilities that astronauts might encounter in space exploration, providing a representation of what the nation might gain through the space program. Each of the illustrations included here come from NASA's archives or from its principal contractors, providing readers with a unique collection of artwork that reveals the context and compelling nature of America's space programs.

Each section includes a narrative providing relevant background and describing the accomplishments during the time frame of the chapter. The caption for each illustration contains all information available, including the artist, the date, and its relevance to a particular space program or mission. Some, such as Robert McCall’s “First Men on the Moon,” are sure to be familiar to many readers; however, most will be enthralling new discoveries to treasure.

Included in the book: First Comes the Dream: How Art Showed the Way to Space; This New Ocean: The Dawn of the American Space Age; One Giant Leap: the Voyages of Project Apollo; Islands in the Sky: Inhabiting the Realm of Earth Orbit; Brave New Worlds: Back to the Moon and Toward the Red Planet; and The Expanse: Exploring Depths of Space Beyond Mars.

Readers with an interest in NASA, space exploration, and/or art will all find much to appreciate in this extraordinary volume.

Highly recommended. ( )

The Art of NASA: The Illustrations That Sold the Missions by Piers Bizony is a beautiful collection of artwork that helped define NASA and space exploration for the general public.

No matter your age you will likely find several images here that will look familiar to you. For my generation (born 1958), space exploration was awe-inspiring and widely supported. I used to collect government and civilian publications. In those days we could call or write our national legislators and get a lot of free stuff. In addition, I lived in Greenbelt, MD, home of Goddard Space Flight Center, so space was everywhere. Many of the images in this book were likely in some of those publications, and they succeeded in lighting a fire for space exploration long before the current age of science denial took hold. Now, I wouldn't be surprised if some thought space was a big hoax, but I digress.

Both the text of the chapters and the substantial captions offer great contextualizing for each image as well as each phase of the space program. This is a book about the art, so that is what is emphasized. If I want science, I have shelves of both general science and textbooks to refresh my mind. This book is for art appreciation, the role of art in promoting science, and strolling down memory lane.

Highly recommended if any of the things I just mentioned appeal to you. This is for both the science and the art lovers.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )