It’s been a while (grumble grumble book was a huge timesink grumble) but it’s finally time for another BA Giveaway! This is the best one yet.
My friend and BABloggee Jack Hagerty is an author, but not just any author: he is a geek among geeks. He has a fantastic book called Spaceship Handbook that is an astonishing compendium of spaceships both real and imagined. This textbook-sized tome has details to satisfy even the nerdliest among us. Section upon section of George Pal! Chesley Bonestell! Movies you’ve never heard of but had awesome rockets!
If you read this blog — and you do — then you want this book. And now you can have one. Jack has graciously agreed to send the winner a copy of the book, and if you don’t win, he’s still showing the love by giving 15% off cover price if you order it. The holidays are coming, folks…
The rules are the same as before. All you need to do is go to the Bad Astronomy and Universe Today bulletin board. I’ve created a thread in the Fun-n-Games section called "Spaceship Handbook giveaway contest!" If you’re already a registered user, just post something in that thread, like "I’m a geek and I want this book!" It doesn’t matter what you post as long as you post. Post ONLY ONCE. If you post more than once I will delete the extra posts.
If you are not already registered at the board, it’s easy and free. We don’t charge anything, and we don’t do anything with your emails or info. I hate spammers more than you do, guaranteed (I get thousands of spams a day– and not just email but also comments on this blog and on the BAUT board!), so I swear that info stays in our database and that’s it.
On Monday, December 3rd at noon Mountain time I will close the thread. I’ll generate a random number, and whoever has that number post wins the book! I’ll send you a private message or email confirmation, and you can send me your snail mail address, which I will forward to Jack. There will be no cost to you at all.
This book has a section on the rocket used in the Josie and the Pussycats cartoon. You so want this.
November 27th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Cool – hafta order that.
Hey, Phil, shoot me an email – I have something you can use for a future give-away: a v. nice polo shirt made up by some of the people involved with the Cassini-Huygens probe celebrating the near-Earth swingby in 1999. Never been worn.
Unless you want it for yourself. Tres chic.
Jim D.
November 27th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Hey, Phil – what’s the discount code if we want to order a couple of copies and get the 15%?
Jim D.
November 27th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Does it come with the attached cartoon-like elongated head?
(Was that cruel?)
November 27th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Hmm, I think I will just buy it! I would like to know about the discount however.
November 27th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Does the book cover the TARDIS (type 40, that is)?
November 27th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Oooh, count me in, I believe in freebies! Off to the BAUT boards I go!
November 27th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Nice book, but go easy Phil… Someone could accidentally subdue you just by brandishing a camera. HA!
November 27th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
OMG I DO so want this!!
November 27th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
“The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”
Just covering all the bases…
November 28th, 2007 at 12:24 am
This will come up a few times, so hopefully this message will be near the top (and I apologize in advance for this sounding so commercial).
My online store host doesn’t support “qualified discounts” (the kind where you enter a discount code) so here’s the somewhat awkward way I have to do it: The discount link takes you to a mail window where all you have to do is type something like “I read the BA blog”. From that I’ll be able to refund your discount directly to your card or PayPal account.
For those of you who want to use a check or money order (you know, the old stuff) here’s the pricing info:
Retail: $59.95
15% D/C:
Total: $50.95
For shipping, you have your choice of $5 surface (7 to 10 days) or $14 Priority (2 days).
And for you international readers, yes, I ship internationally, but it’s a bit pricey. The US Postal Service no longer offers surface shipping, so everything goes by air. That’s $38 to everywhere except Canada (which is $18).
Again, I apologize for this sounding like an ad, but I knew that y’all would love this book. Of the 3,500 I’ve sold so far, there hasn’t been a single return.
- Jack
PS – you can click on my name at the top of this post to be taken directly to my website.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:25 am
Hmmm, I put the little angle brackets around the discount value above like accountants do, and the software thought it was html code or something. The value there should be $9.00 for the discount.
- Jack
November 28th, 2007 at 2:11 am
OK, three posts in a row…
I just read through the BAUT entry, and I’d like to address some of the questions posted there, but obviously I can’t post to the BB (with my luck, I’d probably win).
Before I start, I noticed I forgot to put the mailing address for those that would like to order one that way (presuming they don’t win, of course):
ARA Press
785 Jefferson Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
To reiterate for those outside the US, yes, you’re included. I’ll ship anywhere.
For those speculating on the contents, let me give you a brief history.
The book was intended to be a companion to Peter Alway’s “Rockets of the World.” That’s a modeler’s reference book on “real” rockets and missiles from Goddard up to the Space Shuttle. “Spaceship Handbook” is in the same vein with capsule histories and “data drawings” of the subjects, but none of the subjects have ever really flown under rocket power. It’s divided into three sections: “The Theoreticians”, “The Entertainers” and “The Real Stuff”. The first part covers Tsiolkovsky, Oberth, Sanger, Ley/Bonestell and von Braun; the second spaceships from books, movies and TV shows (this is about 60% of the book); and the last is famous cancelled projects (Dyna Soar, Nova, Pluto).
What’s not included: 1) Star Wars and Star Trek (done to death in other books, plus Fox/Paramount wanted too much money for picture use). Real programs that really flew (Mercury/Gemini/Apollo). There’s a major section on Gerry Anderson, but only the “Thunderbirds” are detailed, and then only TB1, TB3 and TB5.
Feel free to mail me (jhagerty@juno.com) with any specific questions.
- Jack
November 28th, 2007 at 3:30 am
Are you not selling this book through Amazon, to assist international subscribers?
November 28th, 2007 at 4:32 am
Sweet looking book. Wonder if that cool ship from the Canadian TV series “The Starlost” is in there?
Stephen B.
Math Teacher and Geek
November 28th, 2007 at 5:45 am
I don’t get enough rockets here in the cold, cold Northeast. This book would be most welcome.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:03 am
Ya gotta love the rocketships from the 50′s…when rockets and cars had fins.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:14 am
“I’m a geek and I’d like that book,” hee hee, always fun to jump onto that sort of bandwagon!
November 28th, 2007 at 9:16 am
I could use an spaceship book, but unfortunately I do not have the funds to purchase one.. Maybe christmas wishlist?
November 28th, 2007 at 9:40 am
That is so going to be on my bookshelf one way or another. Looks like new disc brakes for my bike might just have to wait a while longer
Speaking of retro ships vs. real science, have you guys seen this site: http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/index.html
pax
November 28th, 2007 at 9:53 am
If it comes with that weird looking book stand, it will fit in perfectly next to my Rocky Horror/Shock Treatment Special Edition DVD (The one with the big plastic lips).
November 28th, 2007 at 10:08 am
I bought this book from him at WorldCon a couple of years back… It’s awesome….
Are there sequels?
November 28th, 2007 at 10:43 am
>”Does it come with the attached cartoon-like elongated head?”
That’s not a face. It’s just a craggy mesa.
November 28th, 2007 at 11:44 am
I LOVE Chesley Bonestell art, it was the art I grew up with. I’m sure this is will be a fun book!
November 28th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Sticks says: “Are you not selling this book through Amazon, to assist international subscribers?”
Yes, it’s available through Amazon, but I wouldn’t be able to autograph it
———–
Stephen says: “Wonder if that cool ship from the Canadian TV series “The Starlost†is in there?”
Sorry.
———–
Thor says: “I bought this book from him at WorldCon a couple of years back… It’s awesome…. Are there sequels?”
Was that the WorldCon in San Jose (2002) or Anaheim (2006)?
As for sequels, I have several things in the works (Phil isn’t the only one working on a book project!). The closest to production is “The Saucer Fleet”, which will be out the middle of next year. This one will be published by Apogee books, and should be available in both soft cover and hard cover. The premise is just like SSH except that the number of entries is smaller, thus the detail is greater. Subjects include “The Day the Earth Stood Still”, “War of the Worlds” (the George Pal one), “Forbidden Planet”, “Earth vs. the Flying Saucers” and a bunch more. There’s a button for it on the website next to the Spaceship Handbook one.
Longer range, there’s a second edition of this book with updates and re-edits, and a “Volume 2″ with all new subjects.
- Jack
November 28th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
I’m a geek and I wanna spaceship book!
November 28th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Thor says: “I bought this book from him at WorldCon a couple of years back… It’s awesome…. Are there sequels?â€
Was that the WorldCon in San Jose (2002) or Anaheim (2006)?
Was the one in San Jose. Boy, that was a few years back. Good to hear about “The Saucer Fleet‖will be looking forward to it.
November 29th, 2007 at 3:12 am
Can ANYONE in the whole wide world participate?
November 29th, 2007 at 5:35 am
that the WorldCon in San Jose (2002) or Anaheim (2006)?
Was the one in San Jose. Boy, that was a few years back. Good to hear about “The Saucer Fleetâ€
November 29th, 2007 at 7:02 am
Funny how many ppl are entering here instead of in the forum…
November 29th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
JUst the resource for my class, “Our Glorious Universe.”
November 29th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
CinciDave says: “Just the resource for my class, “Our Glorious Universe.—
FYI, if you don’t win, I give schools and libraries 35% off. Plus, Appendix A in the back is a treatise on atomic propulsion.
- Jack
November 29th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Gotta play to win. Looks like a seriously cool book (and a good possible graduation present for a friend).
December 1st, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Does it cover Tintin’s rocket?
December 1st, 2007 at 3:21 pm
I want one, I want one; free books rank up there with free beer
December 2nd, 2007 at 7:35 am
Been a troll for-ev-er… and now, your book signup has called me out of hiding.
Book, please! (There’s beer here, too?)
mmmmm, boook.
Good luck, all.
December 2nd, 2007 at 9:17 am
I loved those old space ships since I was a kid.
December 2nd, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Oh this is awesome! I love the conjectural spacecraft that Ley and Von Braun came up with. Did anyone ever see the “The Wonderful World Of Disney” series called “Man In Space?” I think you can find it on DVD.
December 2nd, 2007 at 3:12 pm
I’m a geek and my husband used to build spaceship models. I’d love a shot at getting that!
Laurie
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:29 pm
I want it. I want it. I want it. I’ll hold my breath until I turn blue! OK, You asked for it. let this be on your head….AAAAHHHmmphf. Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm….
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:26 am
I think I missed it but I’ll give it a shot anyway.
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:45 am
[...] Posted by The Bad Astronomer This thread is for the giveaway contest for the Spaceship Handbook. I have all the details on my blog. For a chance to win, just post (only once, please) in this thread! On Monday December 3rd at noon [...]
December 10th, 2007 at 5:04 am
I have all the details on my blog. For a chance to win, just post (only once, please) in this thread! On Monday December 3rd at noon
January 23rd, 2008 at 3:22 am
I want it. I want it. I want it. I’ll hold my breath until I turn blue! OK, You asked for it. let this be on your head
March 17th, 2009 at 7:00 am
[...] It’s been a while since I’ve done a BABlog giveaway, so it’s way overdue. And this time I have another extremely cool (in the geeky sense) book to give away to one BABloggee: The Saucer Fleet, by Jack Hagerty and Jon Rogers (Jack is the author of the also way-cool Spaceship Handbook). [...]
September 1st, 2010 at 8:17 am
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