The 15th anniversary edition of Apollo 13 (the movie) was released this week on DVD. The movie, which was nominated for nine Oscars and won two, retraces the 1970 Apollo 13 mission, which was to be relatively routine space flight until an explosion on the shuttle derailed plans for a lunar landing and placed the entire crew in danger.

So if you’re among those who buy/rent/Netflix this movie over the weekend and then find yourself wanting to learn more, you’re in luck. Footprints in the Dust, which is a brand new title from the University of Nebraska Press that chronicles the entire Apollo spaceflight program. Drawing on extensive research and interviews with key figures in the space program, the authors convey the human drama and chart the technological marvels that went into the Apollo missions. They also put the accomplishments of American spaceflight into historical context, examining the competitive space race with the Soviet Union, the roles of politics and personality in launching the mission, and the consequences, practical and profound, of this giant leap for mankind.

Lincoln readers: If you happen to watch or participate in the Lincoln marathon or half marathon this weekend, you may find Rachel Toor’s book, Personal Record, both inspiring and familiar. I’ve written about this book before, but since it’s marathon weekend, I felt it was appropriate to mention it again.

Good luck runners, and have a great weekend, everyone!