Tom Williams' SURROUNDED BY THUNDER Follows America's Golden Space Age

From America's first satellite Explorer I, through Apollo and putting the first man on the moon, aeronautical engineer Darrell Loan had a hand in them all! Surrounded by Thunder: The story of Darrell Loan and the Rocket Men (Inspire on Purpose Publishing), by Tom Williams, tells the true story of this extraordinary man, his family, friends and colleagues, and of a time not to be forgotten in America's history - a time that has never been surpassed and that truly was and always will be, Surrounded by Thunder.

Only twelve years separated the launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik and Americans landing on the moon but during those golden years of space exploration the most fearless aviators ever climbed aboard the most dangerous creations ever assembled to rocket into space and claim a true pinnacle of human achievement. Information on the mission dates, the astronauts, and many of the unforgettable characters that made up this account of America's race for space and then to the moon are all factual; however, thanks to the author's talent for gripping storytelling, this historical narrative reads more like an incredible science-fiction adventure.

Tom Williams has spent many fascinating hours with Darrell Loan, an astute and active 83 year-old (fall and winter) resident of Marco Island, hearing of his exploits and secrets to give readers a factual look at what it took to put Americans into space and on the moon; at the same time paying homage to the brilliant men 'behind the scenes' who actually made it all happen.

"It was only twelve years from Sputnik to boots on the moon," says Williams. "Darrell was one of the top engineers at NASA from the 1950s, when Sputnik was launched and the space race started. He was on the main team and was in the front row when you see the engineers during Apollo 13. He worked side-by-side with Wernher von Braun and Kurt Debus, the German-American rocket scientists. If it hadn't been for them, we never would have gone to the moon. Those two Germans figured out how to lift one hundred twenty five tons into a hundred mile orbit and fifty tons to the moon."

While Surrounded by Thunder is a non-fiction narrative of the early years of the American Space Program, the exciting, fast-paced dialogue makes it more like a front seat rocket ride at warp speed. So, climb onboard, strap yourself in, and get ready to ride a true rocket of adventure as the thrill of early space exploration rises above controlled explosions and soars all the way to the mountains on the moon and the Sea of Tranquility.

Tom Williams already has two action-packed novels under his belt, the second of which drew acclaim from New York Times bestselling author Steve Alten, and resulted in interviews on numerous television and radio programs nationwide. Tom is also a highly successful columnist and feature article writer for a series of Scripps newspapers in southwest Florida, and has had many of his articles featured in magazines and publications across the country. A 29-year veteran Master Merchant Marine Officer licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard, Tom lives on Marco Island, FL, with his wife Victoria.

For more information on this creative writer, visit: www.lostandfoundadventure.com.

Available at fine bookstores, online outlets and author's website.

Surrounded by Thunder: The story of Darrell Loan and the Rocket Men
by Tom Williams
Publisher: Inspire on Purpose
Library of Congress Control Number: 2013901849
ISBN 10: 0988753367
ISBN 13: 978-0-9887533-6-5

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