Cover of Rockets, Missiles, and Space Travel Open Library Covers

Rockets, Missiles, and Space Travel

by Willy Ley · 1951

Willy Ley's popular account of rockets, missiles, and early space-travel ideas that helped introduce mid-century readers to spaceflight.

Mentioned by 1 person

Why this author is included

Willy Ley · Science writer and spaceflight historian

Who mentioned it

1 person has mentioned or cited Rockets, Missiles, and Space Travel, without directly recommending it.

Paul Allen portrait Paul AllenCo-founder, Microsoft

WIRED reported that Rockets, Missiles, and Space Travel was one of Paul Allen's favorite childhood books.

Mentioned · Wording not verified Source: WIRED
Evidence details 385 Feet of Crazy: The Most Audacious Flying Machine Ever

The WIRED Stratolaunch profile describes Allen's childhood room being filled with science fiction and space books and identifies Rockets, Missiles, and Space Travel as one of his favorites. This is kept as a documented mention, not a reader-facing recommendation.

This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.

WIRED · 2018-08-20 · accessed 2026-06-22

Article · Reported childhood favorite

WIRED reports that Allen's boyhood room was filled with science fiction and space books and names Rockets, Missiles, and Space Travel as one of his favorites.

About the author

What the author has done, shown separately from who recommends the book.

Willy LeyScience writer and spaceflight historian

Author of Rockets, Missiles, and Space Travel.