Brief:
Creating Space by Mat Irvine illustrates the history of the Space Age through models. It is a 352 page book with a forward by Sir Arthur C. Clark.

Construction:
Chapters:

1. Early Dreams
2. Wartime Experiences
3. Optimistic Times
4. Man in Space
5. The Missile Connection
6. One Small Step
7. Gone to Launch
8. Messages from Orbit
9. Edge of Space
10. The reusable Spaceship
11. Islands in the Sky
12. Beyond the Infinite

PROS: This is definitely a great book for rocketeers that are into history and scale models, especially static scale models. The author provides many detailed descriptions, scale data and stories on the various models and companies throughout the history of space related models.

He leads the reader through the history of space flight by presenting actual models that were being built during many historic events. He also provides information on when many of the older models were reissued.

The author does bring many of the Estes flying models into the discussion which was nice.

This is a great reference for modelers interested in building scale models and static displays.

My son and I even bought a static 1/48 scale V-2 model to display alongside his Semroc V-2 which I believe is 1/49. So if one of his goals was to get people building static models, he got us to build one... I would also like to build one of the Revell ISS Space Stations! There are really some amazing models out there that I didn't know existed.

The book is full of many great color pictures of the models and has an extensive reference on manufacturers and there scale models in the second half of the book.

CONS: The static modellers may find this an easy read, but I found it difficult to read straight through. However, I did enjoy it and learned a lot. I would really have liked the author to include many more of the manufacturers of flying scale rockets. Though Estes models were shown, missing were the many fine models from Apogee Components, Semroc, Sheri's Hot Rockets, Balsa Machine Service, ASP, Cosmodrome, Dr. Zooch, Madcow, PML, Quest, etc, etc. He could actually put together a whole new book concentrating on flying models.

Summary:
I liked the material and history that was presented. The layout and progression was great; stepping the reader through the history of rockets using the models. It will definitely be up on my shelf with my rocketry reference books. As one who loves to launch my rockets, though, it would be nice to see him add in all the manufacturers mentioned above, that produce flying scale models. I would even like a whole new "sister" book to this that solely concentrated on flying scale model rockets. I think that would be an easier read for BAR’s. He could title it, "Creating Space II - The Story of the Space Age through Flying Models.”

I recommend it for history and scale model enthusiasts.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5