Episode · Big Technology Podcast · 2023-05-09
Alex Kantrowitz & Ashlee Vance: books mentioned on Big Technology Podcast
Modern Space Race + State of Elon Musk — With Ashlee Vance
Ashlee Vance is the author of When The Heavens Went On Sale, a new book about the modern day space race. Join us for a conversation about the commercial ventures fighting for their place in low earth orbit, and why governments have ceded the space to the private sector.
Alex Kantrowitz discussed When the Heavens Went on Sale by Ashlee Vance. Ashlee Vance discussed The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe and Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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When the Heavens Went on Sale
When the Heavens Went on Sale by Ashlee Vance is a non-fiction book that explores the modern commercial space race, focusing on entrepreneurs and capitalists attempting to build a thriving economy in low Earth orbit through thousands of satellites.
Discussed“So we're here to talk about your new book, When the Heavens Went on Sale.”
Where to get it
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The Right Stuff
The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe is a classic account documenting the early days of the United States space program and the test pilots turned astronauts of the Mercury project.
Discussed“I mean, yes, there are things in this book that are about business and space, but I mean, this is really meant to be more of a narrative, a story more than anything else. You know, it's kind of written for a mainstream audience, sort of like the, the right stuff”
Where to get it
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Elon Musk
Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance is a comprehensive biography examining the life, career, and turbulent relationships of the high-profile entrepreneur.
Discussed“I mean, you know, like when I wrote the book on Elon, some of my favorite stuff was like the early days of space X, um, which I didn't get to live through myself. I just had to hear all these stories”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (4) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“Our guest today is Ashley Vance. He is the author of When the Heavens Went on Sale, The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach. He's also the author of Elon Musk.”
“I'm not going to let you go without letting you, making you answer some questions about Elon. You wrote the book, Elon Musk. What is your take on the state of Elon right now?”
“It's just like, I was, I felt like I had done so much SpaceX and Tesla stuff and was doing the new book. And, uh, and so I don't know. I got my first big Neuralink piece coming here soon.”
“Uh, well, recapping the week's news with myself and Ranjan Uriah as always, and Ben Smith, author of traffic. He's been doing the circuit, but we'll have some fresh stuff for you.”