While there are many biographies of John F. Kennedy and numerous accounts of the early years of US space efforts, there has to date been no comprehensive account of how the actions taken by JFK's administration have shaped the course of the US space program over the last 45 years. This book, based on primary source material and interviews with key participants, is such an account. It tells the story of how JFK, only four months in office, decided that the US national interest required the country to enter and win the space race by reaching the moon 'before this decade is out.' It traces the evolution of his thinking and policy up until his assassination, which brought to an end his plans to moderate the space program's goals and explore collaboration with the Soviets.