Madison, News, RSS Facebook, RSS General
 By  GreggParker Published 
8:04 pm Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Johnson’s “Back to the Moon” weaves extraterrestrial intrigue

Les Johnson and daughter Leslie show one of his books.

Future space exploration interspersed with political intrigue takes off in Les Johnson’s new book, “Back to the Moon.”

“Space exploration is the ultimate test of human ingenuity and one of the riskiest sustained endeavors in human history,” Johnson said. “Why, then, does it seem routine and boring to most people?”

In proposing their novel to Baen Books, Johnson and co-author Travis Taylor suggested “space exploration (with) believable science and engineering to capture dangers of space flight and the astronauts’ risks when we once again explore space beyond Earth orbit.”

In “Back to the Moon,” NASA stages a fiftieth anniversary return to the Moon. “A private company puts together its own moon shot, complete with space tourists,” Johnson said. “Across the globe, the Chinese are determined to arrive first … and steal every bit of American technology they can pilfer.”

However, something goes horribly wrong on the lunar surface, Johnson said.

Johnson also co-edits the “Going Interstellar” anthology and has co-authored “Living off the Land in Space,” “Solar Sails: A Novel Approach to Interplanetary Travel” and “Paradise Regained: The Regreening of Earth.”

His master’s degree in physics and bachelor’s degree in liberal arts mesh in his writing. “Combining my passion and education with God’s gift of communicating … has been the ‘perfect storm’ for getting my books published,” Johnson said.

In its review, “Analog” magazine stated, “For everyone … whose heart skipped a beat at Armstrong’s first step and still believes July 20, 1969 was the greatest date in history — ‘Back to the Moon’ is a reminder of a lost era.”

Johnson works as deputy manager of NASA’s Advanced Concepts Office. Originally from Ashland, Ky., he has lived in Madison for 23 years.

He is married to Carol Peck Johnson, who formerly worked as a technical editor. Their son Carl is a senior at Excalibur Christian School. Daughter Leslie is a junior at Bob Jones High School.

Johnson will have a book signing on Jan. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Books-A-Million, 7830 U.S. 72.

For more information, send email to les.mail@lesjohnsonauthor.com or visit lesjohnsonauthor.com or Facebook/Les Johnson.

Also on The Madison Record
‘Light Up the Night’ with Huntsville Parks & Recreation at Big Spring Park
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
July 24, 2025
Dr. John Blevins receives Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal, premier award for career federal employees
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
July 24, 2025
Central role Redstone Arsenal plays in national security highlighted in judiciary committee hearing
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
July 23, 2025
Downtown Madison celebrates kickoff to Main Street Madison
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Snapshot
Staff Reports 
July 23, 2025
MADISON - Madison leaders joined downtown business owners and officials with the Madison Street Alabama program on Thursday to officially kick off the...
Civic groups to conduct candidate forums on Aug. 12 and 19
A: Main, Events, Madison County Record, ...
Two upcoming forums seek questions from residents for the candidates to answer
Gregg Parker 
July 23, 2025
MADISON – The 2025 Municipal Election for the City of Madison on Aug. 26 will decide a new mayor and representatives for City Council in three contest...
Four winners certified in city council elections
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
MARIA RAKOCZY news@themadisonrecord.com 
July 23, 2025
MADISON - Winners of four district elections in the city of Madison were certified at last week’s city council meeting. Four candidates ran unconteste...
“Take Back Alabama Town Hall” set for July 28 at Movement Church in Madison
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
in the
Staff Reports 
July 23, 2025
MADISON - Community leaders from across North Alabama will gather on Monday, July 28 for the “Take Back Alabama Town Hall” hosted by Moms for Liberty ...
Amanda Browning wins second place in Fleet Reserve Association’s essay contest
Madison County Record, News, Sports, ...
Bob Labbe 
July 23, 2025
MADISON - Patriotism is the base of being an American and supporting the United States of America, especially for the veterans of the military who too...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *