The lights in the sky are stars (1953)

Set at the end of the 20th century, Max Andrews is a starduster, one for whom space travel isn’t a cute dream but an obsession. He joined the Air Force, from which space pilots would be chosen, just before the flood of people also wanting to go into space. Max has been in space several times. A freak accident on Venus, just before returning to Earth, has permanently grounded him. Max compensates by becoming one of the best rocket mechanics in the business.

One of Max’s friends, M’bassi, is the last of the Masai race (the rest were wiped out by a plague). He is taking a different route into space than Max. Whereas Max wants to send his body into space, followed by his mind, M’bassi wants to send his mind into space, and maybe his body will follow. One day, M’bassi is found lying on the floor of his apartment, successful in his quest.

America has started to explore the solar system, mostly out of fear of the Russians. With communism no longer a threat, and with no other compelling reason to go into space, Max is afraid that the bases on Mars and the Moon will be closed and mankind will retreat back to Earth. Max meets Ellen Gallagher, a newly elected member of the US Senate from California. Her pet project is a bill that would appropriate money to build a rocket to Jupiter. It takes time to get the bill through Congress, and signed by the President. Meantime, Max wants to get started so badly, he is practically jumping out of his skin. Finally, everything is ready.

A political appointee, William Whitlow, is named as Project Director. Max will be Deputy Director, with the day-to-day responsibility. By this time, Max and Ellen have totally fallen for each other, but she does not live to see the start of construction. Whitlow thinks it will take months to find and acquire an appropriate piece of land. A very thick package lands on his desk the next morning, from Max. It’s full of pictures, descriptions and legal documents for a perfect piece of land in the American Southwest. Just before construction is actually ready to start, a big and dark secret from Max’s past is revealed, one that imperils his participation in the project.

This is a real gem of a book. Anyone for whom space travel is a burning desire needs to read this story. The author does a fine job, and the big, dark secret is a surprise. Very much recommended. ( )