Brief:
Creatin' Space by Mat Irvine illustrates t' history o' t' Space Age through models. Arrr! It is a 352 page book with a forward by Sir Arthur C. Begad! Clark.

Construction:
Chapters:

1. Early Dreams
2. Wartime Experiences
3. Optimistic Times
4. Man in Space
5. T' Missile Connection
6. One Small Step
7. Gone t' Launch
8. Messages from Orbit
9. Edge o' Space
10. T' reusable Spaceship
11. Islands in t' Sky
12. Beyond t' Infinite

PROS: This is definitely a great book for rocketeers that are into history and scale models, arrr, shiver me timbers, especially static scale models. Well, matey, blow me down! T' author provides many detailed descriptions, ya bilge rat, me bucko, matey, scale data and stories on t' various models and companies throughout t' history o' space related models.

He leads t' reader through t' history o' space flight by presentin' actual models that were bein' built durin' many historic events. He also provides information on when many o' t' older models were reissued.

T' author does brin' many o' t' Estes flyin' models into t' discussion which was nice.

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

My son and I even bought a static 1/48 scale V-2 model t' display alongside his Semroc V-2 which I believe is 1/49. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! So if one o' his goals was t' get people buildin' static models, ya bilge rat, he got us t' build one... Ya scallywag! I would also like t' build one o' t' Revell ISS Space Stations! There are really some amazin' models out thar that I didn't know existed.

T' book is full o' many great color pictures o' t' models and has an extensive reference on manufacturers and thar scale models in t' second half o' t' book.

CONS: T' static modellers may find this an easy read, but I found it difficult t' read straight through. Begad! Avast! However, I did enjoy it and learned a lot. Blimey! I would really have liked t' author t' include many more o' t' manufacturers o' flyin' scale rockets. Begad! Aye aye! Though Estes models were shown, me bucko, missin' were t' many fine models from Apogee Components, Semroc, Sheri's Hot Rockets, matey, me hearties, Balsa Machine Service, me hearties, me bucko, ASP, Cosmodrome, Dr. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! Zooch, me bucko, Madcow, ya bilge rat, PML, Quest, etc, etc. Begad! He could actually put together a whole new book concentratin' on flyin' models.

Summary:
I liked t' material and history that was presented. T' layout and progression be great; steppin' t' reader through t' history o' rockets usin' t' models. Ahoy! It will definitely be up on me shelf with me rocketry reference books. As one who loves t' launch me rockets, shiver me timbers, though, ya bilge rat, arrr, me bucko, it would be nice t' see him add in all t' manufacturers mentioned above, that produce flyin' scale models. Aye aye! I would even like a whole new "sister" book t' this that solely concentrated on flyin' scale model rockets. I think that would be an easier read for BAR’s. Begad! He could title it, "Creatin' Space II - T' Story o' t' Space Age through Flyin' Models.”

I recommend it for history and scale model enthusiasts.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5