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"Sy Liebergot, in his book APOLLO EECOM, gave us an outstanding example of the opportunities available in the United States. Sy takes us through his troubled past to earning his wings as a key player in our journeys to the Moon."
--Jim Lovell, Astronaut, Commander, Apollo 13
"A question that I have often been asked about my Apollo 13 experience is, were you concerned? ..... or by young children who tend to say exactly what they are thinking, did you think you would die? Most people have a hard time accepting my answer of no and that my strongest emotion was one of great disappointment. The story of an APOLLO EECOM should enable the readers to understand. You will appreciate, as I did, that there was Sy and others of the team in Mission Control that were truly dedicated and highly skilled to deal with challenges and routinely pull off minor miracles ....... the Apollo 13 Mission saga."
-- Fred Haise, Astronaut, Lunar Module Pilot, Apollo 13
"The world knows Sy Liebergot as one of the steel-nerved experts in Mission Control who helped save Apollo 13. Now he reveals, in his own words, that his entire life was preparation for that moment of truth. Sy's account is harrowing, touching, and inspiring-- his story gives new meaning to the phrase, 'Failure Is Not An Option.' "
-- Andrew Chaikin, author of A Man on the Moon
"Sy Liebergot, alias EECOM, in his personal history, "APOLLO EECOM: Journey of a Lifetime," adds another human face to the hundreds of thousands of dedicated young men and women and their families who were the core of the Apollo Program. Sy tells many of the stories that I remember, many I had forgotten, and many more I never knew. Revisiting in my mind the MOCR, the SPAN Room, The Singin' Wheel, and the Hofbraugarten with hundreds of old friends and saviors has been a delight!"
--Harrison H. Schmitt, aka Jack Schmitt, Astronaut, Apollo 17 Lunar Module Pilot, former U.S. Senator (NM)
"The story of Sy's life demonstrates that if one "hitches up his 'git-along'" he can "make it" in America, no matter where he starts from. Atta boy!"
-- Jack Lousma, Astronaut, Skylab 3 Pilot, Spacecraft Commander- Shuttle STS-3
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"My whole perception of the film Apollo 13 shifted when I went on my first research trip to the Johnson Space Center and sat in the MOCR with a dozen of the flight controllers who had been involved in the mission, including Sy Liebergot. I had always understood the original screenplay as a heroic survival story of three brave astronauts. However, while listening to these men reflect on their role in the crisis, I began to realize not only could the movie accomplish that truth but also shed light on the heroics of the men of Mission Control. Not Rambo-like, acrobatic heroics of violence but instead, the heroics of the application of accrued knowledge, combined with a tremendous emotional personal drive. I had come upon a directorial opportunity to dramatize the power of the mind; a mind applied under great stress. It might not be leaping from building to building but what the flight controllers did was a Herculean accomplishment. It was a great test and those tests always make great drama. A key moment in the mission, dramatically speaking, was the moment, Sy, portrayed by my brother Clint in the film, had when his recommendation from the EECOM console was to shut a fuel cell's reactant valves. The objective of the mission was landing on the Moon and Sy's call not only ended that, but also gave full dimension of the disaster they were facing. Aside from his involvement in Apollo 13, Sy's life experiences should be held as an example of achievement. Young people ought to read this book and take note of a life well done."
- Ron Howard, Director of the Apollo 13 film
"I've had many perks in my forty-plus years in the entertainment business but few rise above the friendship that developed with Sy Liebergot. I remember the nervous anticipation I had prior to my first phone call with Sy. I was getting a chance to quiz the man I was to play as White EECOM in the film, Apollo 13 and I didn't want to come off as a fool. As we talked, I remember Sy being very patient with me. I also remember him saying something that would be a huge help for me preparing for the role, "I was no steely eyed missile man, that's for sure." Sy was very humble, referring to himself as just an engineer and although he was a veteran of the manned space program, he recounted the lack of bravado he felt during the days of crisis on Apollo 13. After getting to know Sy over the years and now having read his memoirs, I realize what a remarkable man he is. I know he'll never say this about himself, but Sy Liebergot is a hero. Heroes rise above personal adversity to make great achievements. From where Sy came to what he's made of his life is a great achievement. NASA gave a young man, fresh out of college, an opportunity to be part of a new frontier and Sy didn't disappoint. To be part of a team that started with a blank sheet of paper and developed the hardware and procedures for manned space travel is pretty special."
- Clint Howard, White EECOM, Apollo 13 film
"In the years when Americans went to the Moon, Mission Control was a place where life and death decisions had to be made in seconds. Apollo EECOM is written by a man who saw it all and was at the vortex of the greatest crisis that Mission Control ever faced. Sy Liebergot tells the story of Apollo 13 as no one else could."
-- Charles Murray and Catherine Bly Cox, authors of Apollo: The Race to the Moon
"Astronauts and flight directors may have been the Apollo program's royalty, but it was the men in the flight controllers' seats who truly made the missions fly. Sy Liebergot tells the thrilling tale of one such man--himself--with grace, wit and skill. Liebergot's life has been one of high drama and grand adventure; his book is no less gripping."
--Jeffrey Kluger, Co-author, Apollo 13
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