Ice [Paperback]

Shane Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 16, 2002

In the late 1960s, NASA proposed hardware and mission parameters for an extended Apollo program that never materialized. Decades later, the existence of ice beds at the lunar south pole was discovered by NASA’s space probe Clementine and confirmed by the lunar satellite Lunar Prospector. Now, author and Apollo missions historian Shane Johnson explores the fantastic possibilities of what might have transpired, had the more ambitious version of the Apollo program gone forward as originally planned.

It is February, 1975. Apollo 19, the last of the manned lunar missions, has successfully landed. Exhilarated and confident, Commander Gary Lucas and Lunar Module pilot Charlie Shepherd set out to explore a vast, mysterious depression at the lunar south pole.

There, in the icy darkness–where temperatures reach 334 degrees below zero–the astronauts search for the fragments of crystalline bedrock the scientists back home had hoped for. But when tragedy strikes, the men are driven deeper into the lethal realm, where they find much more than they bargained for, including a strange machine that seemingly transports Lucas back to a pre-flood Earth, and startling evidence that could transform mankind’s perspective on all creation and its Creator– if only the men could miraculously make their way back home to earth to reveal it.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Johnson's credentials as a spaceflight historian and design consultant for the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon are evident in the authentic details that characterize this intriguing Christian suspense thriller. The first half of the novel is strong, inducing a knuckle-biting tension when things go awry in space (shades of the movie Apollo 13). Mission commander Gary Lucas and lunar module pilot Charles Shepherd are part of an Apollo 19 expedition that is the first to explore the Moon's south pole. A malfunction causes them to leave their lunar vehicle and set out on what they assume will be their final walk. On Earth, there's heavy lobbying for a recovery mission to bring back the bodies of the presumed-dead astronauts. As the novel progresses, the writing becomes problematic, with dreamlike, confusing twists that become difficult for the reader to follow. Johnson occasionally overwrites ("they knew an abundant life once measured in robust decades had now dwindled to a trickle, a fragile flow of wispy, swiftly fading moments"). He also overuses words (sparkle, glitter) and relies on dialogue to carry some sections, as many thrillers do. Gary's wife is referred to as both "Diane" and "Annie," which is confusing for the reader. The NASA technical jargon is heavy, but carefully used, and a helpful two-page glossary is included to aid the reader. Despite some pitfalls, Johnson's vivid descriptions, touches of humor and skill at dramatic tension make this an enjoyable novel for the CBA market.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

In the late 1960s, NASA proposed hardware and mission parameters for an extended Apollo program that never materialized. Decades later, the existence of ice beds at the lunar south pole was discovered by NASA?s space probe Clementine and confirmed by the lunar satellite Lunar Prospector. Now, author and Apollo missions historian Shane Johnson explores the fantastic possibilities of what might have transpired, had the more ambitious version of the Apollo program gone forward as originally planned.

It is February, 1975. Apollo 19, the last of the manned lunar missions, has successfully landed. Exhilarated and confident, Commander Gary Lucas and Lunar Module pilot Charlie Shepherd set out to explore a vast, mysterious depression at the lunar south pole.

There, in the icy darkness?where temperatures reach 334 degrees below zero?the astronauts search for the fragments of crystalline bedrock the scientists back home had hoped for. But when tragedy strikes, the men are driven deeper into the lethal realm, where they find much more than they bargained for, including a strange machine that seemingly transports Lucas back to a pre-flood Earth, and startling evidence that could transform mankind?s perspective on all creation and its Creator? if only the men could miraculously make their way back home to earth to reveal it.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press; 1 edition (July 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578565480
• ISBN-13: 978-1578565481
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #826,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Be prepared for a lovely surprise!, January 15, 2003

By 

Christian Bookshelf "Christian Bookworm Reviews" (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ice (Paperback)

If you love Science Fiction, you are going tolove this book. Better still, it's Christian Science Fiction. That combination is very hard to find but author Shane Johnson does a wonderful job. As a space flight historian and consultant to the HBO miniseries FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON, Johnson writes a very credible fictional version of NASA's last flight of the Apollo Moon Mission. Sometimes the NASA technical jargon is tedious but the glossary is very helpful.

I have to admit that I had a bit of a problem with another of Johnson's SFs, THE LAST GUARDIAN. His portrayal of the symbolic "Christ" (savior) character made me somewhat uneasy. This being the case, I was concerned that ICE was going to follow suit with an equally odd twist when, in the story, an amazing discovery was made at the moon's south pole. The more I read, the more concerned I became about how he was going to resolve the tale yet it was very exciting and kept me racing to the next page. He kept me just a little off balance because I couldn't foresee where he was going (which, in my opinion, makes
the reading all the more enjoyable). At one point, nearing the end, I thought I saw a similarity to a scriptural event but never dreamed that I was, after all, correct, until it was wrapped up in the last chapter. I was overwhelmingly pleased at his surprising perspective of a very familiar Bible story we all learned in Sunday School. His proposition was very believable and very satisfying.

I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading it again. It is the best piece of Christian Science Fiction I have read; one I'm glad to have in my library. Be prepared for a lovely surprise!

--- reviewed by Ginny Sutton for Christian Bookshelf

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Christian Science Fiction, August 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Ice (Paperback)

Don't start reading this unless you're prepared to do nothing until you've finished. I had purchased this for my husband thinking it a typical sci-fi. After finishing it, he insisted I had to read it for the Christian msg. I was amazed at how much depth it had. It is one of our favorite bks and we've purchased several copies for friends. Enjoy.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great "what if?" Sci Fi book, July 21, 2004

By 

John Thornton (Midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ice (Paperback)

This is a very good book about a potential Apollo 19 launch to the moon. The characters are well developed and engagingly written. I was impressed by the 'behind the scenes' information provided as well as the human drama. Not too much science as to feel like a lecture, and enough to seem very realistic. The story is great and poses many questions. What if that booster engine just would not fire? What if you were stranded on the moon? How would you deal with being the astronaut who had to return without his buddies? These are all examined and the book is really a page turner. I enjoyed it all the way through to the end. Well worth the price. A truly enjoyable read.