What I was most curious about was why Armstrong, a top U.S. Navy test pilot, flying the most advanced aircraft in the world, would want to join the astronaut corps in 1962, which included chimpanzees and monkeys. Douglas Brinkley advanceaircraftarmstrong share on social
I was only 8 years old on July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong, 38-year-old commander of 'Apollo 11,' descended the cramped lunar module Eagle's ladder with hefty backpack and bulky spacesuit to become the first human on the moon. Douglas Brinkley apolloarmstrongbackpack share on social
The very fact that Barack Obama - an African-American - was twice elected to the presidency will always be the lead line in that hard-to-meld, gold-plated paragraph. Douglas Brinkley africanamericanbarack Change image and share on social
Nobody has trusted the Iranian government from day one, but the idea of just refusing to have any kind of talks is dangerous in the extreme. Every administration says at least that we're trying to have talks between Israel and Palestine and solve the Middle East peace problem. Douglas Brinkley administrationdangerousday share on social
One of the things I learned in editing 'The Reagan Diaries' is to never say what Reagan would do, because he surprised people. Douglas Brinkley diaryeditlearn Change image and share on social
When terrorists blew up the Marine barracks in Lebanon, Reagan was frustrated and furious, as Bush was after 9/11. But he didn't stick us in a war in the Middle East with no exit. Douglas Brinkley barrackblowbush Change image and share on social
The myth-making about Appomattox started from the moment Lee left the courthouse on his horse to travel to Richmond. Douglas Brinkley appomattoxcourthousehorse Change image and share on social
John Kerry only went to prep schools because he had an aunt who had the money to pay for his way into those prep schools. Douglas Brinkley auntjohnkerry Change image and share on social
To Armstrong, constantly speaking about 'Apollo 11' only diminished the magic. That's why he worked overtime to avoid notice, living a quiet life in Indian Hill, Ohio. Douglas Brinkley apolloarmstrongavoid Change image and share on social
When we settled our country, the dark forest was considered in some ways evil and something that you needed to plow or, later, bulldoze. We now have a new understanding of the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the need for bird flyways and why all species matter. Douglas Brinkley birdbulldozeconsider share on social