Space Forces
By Fred Scharmen
A Critical History of Life in Outer Space. Verso, 2021.
Summary of Space Forces book by Fred Scharmen
The enthralling story of how humans have imagined—and plotted—life among the stars, ranging from the early Russian “cosmists” to the expansionist agendas of modern American entrepreneurs, exploring what those visions also say about life here on Earth.
Chapters in Space Forces book summary
What do you get from this book? An original history of life in space and the inventive figures behind it
Is Earth enough, or does human “progress” require habitation of space? Scientists and sci-fi storytellers have this debated for decades
The first rocket scientist, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, saw space as a semi-conscious entity waiting to be conquered by humanity
A less restrictive vision of a space-based—and socialist—future was offered by writer–scientists John Bernal and Alexander Bogdanov
A Nazi rocket scientist brought to the United States after WWII became a major force behind the American space program
Arthur C. Clarke’s writings show us how space can present itself as unattainable and mysterious
Gerard O’Neill dreamt of space’s resources, while writers like Ursula Le Guin imagined other possible futures
The United States and Soviet Union space programs influenced and were influenced by politics at home and abroad
Private space companies may be a new development, but they often rely on old models of life in space
The commodification of space and its resources demands military might, but there is a less imperialist vision for space travel
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
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Space Forces — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Space Forces book
- Sci-fi fans
- history buffs
- those interested in technology
- people fascinated by outer space
- social justice advocates
About the author of Space Forces
Fred Scharmen
Fred Scharmen is a professor of architecture at Morgan State University. He is a Yale graduate who has contributed to The Architect’s Newspaper, while his other work, such as Space Settlements (2019), also explores how we think about habitats in space.
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