Forged in the cauldron of both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Gulag—and fueled by the development of nuclear weapons during the Cold War—The Great Space Race is an epic drama filled with triumphs and tragedies, both technological and deeply human, that riveted the U.S. even as it seemed the fate of the free world (perhaps even the world itself ) hung in the balance.

The book features rare, exclusive photographs and thrilling reporting, reflecting LIFE's insider access to the astronauts, their families, and their missions: Go behind the scenes as John Glenn trains for his historic flight, and marvel with Joan Aldrin as her husband, "Buzz," becomes the second man to set foot on the lunar surface. Join Anne Morrow Lindbergh and her aviator husband, Charles, as they visit the Apollo 8 crew on the eve of their historic holiday mission. Watch from the top of the rocket launcher as LIFE's photographer captures the launch of the first manned trip to the moon....and much more.