Raise Heaven and Earth: The Story of Martin Marietta People and Their Pioneering Achievements

by William B. Harwood

A penetrating insight into the aerospace industry speaks of milestone events in the 20th century that laid the groundwork for modern life as we know it. Based on interviews with the actual people involved; the story spans over 80 years, from the days of bamboo and silk aircraft to huge machines capable of escaping earth's gravity and micro instuments that can see through the darkness or look back to the birth of the universe itself! Packed with photographic illustrations throughout.

Genres: History

1 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raise Heaven and Earth is an impressive history of the Martin Marietta Corporate through the time the book was written, 1993, that is surprisingly easy to read. Covering the beginning of the airplane and aerospace industry as it relates to founder Glenn L. Martin, it's often pointed out just how many other companies in the industry got their start with Glenn Martin. As the company blossoms, the author is thorough in his description of the expanding lines of Martin aircraft and the eventual branching out and refocusing of the companies efforts into the aerospace industry. This book incorporates research, anecdotes from people who knew and worked for Martin and his company, excerpts from Martin's official biography, and more.

The reader gets as many details about the manufacturing of Martin products as they are likely to want. The business side of this company is not neglected in the telling, as the reader follows the ups and downs the company experienced, including aquisitions and mergers. Nor is Martin's personal life ignored, and it's easy to see how instrumental his upbringing was to his later success. Beyond Glenn Martin, the book details the contributions of many other key employees, including the leaders that came after him. All aspects of the company are examined, including the employees, employee benefits, and recreation, hiring practices, and other elements key to the company's growth and success. This of course includes war, it would be a topic impossible to ignore for a company so heavily involved in the defense industry. Martin's foresight in how aviation would play a critical role in the country's defense and in our technological advances was quite astonishing. The same can be said for his successors' forays into aerospace, which kept the company relevant and solvent and became their bread and butter.

Interwoven into the Martin backstory is the story of the other founder of what would eventually become Martin Marietta, Grover Martin Hermann. In Hermann's case, the author must dig into the burgeoning industrial landscape that brought him early recognition as he built his asphalt paint business into a force to be reckoned with.

Meticulously researched and outlined in detail, the author brings us the fascinating story of the Martin Marietta company, the beginnings of the aircraft and aerospace industries, Martin Marietta's founders and employees, and its impact on our country and our technology from the company's inception through modern times. Following the company throughout time, its many expansions in both product line and geographical presence, historic events in which it played a key role, and the mergers that weren't and the mergers that were, the reader can grasp the breadth of this enormous company and appreciate its contributions. Raise Heaven and Earth is a hefty volume, but well worth reading. It's amazing to find how many firsts came from Martin Marietta. The pictures and technical diagrams further enrich the text. There are a lot of technical details, but it's also rich in history with an interesting narrative that brings the companies and their people to life.

[Angelique Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. I loved the historical emphasis, going back to the beginning of flight. The second half of the book basically switched to a financial and business portion of the history of the company, which was boring at least to me.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a history of Martin Marietta Corporation. It is comprehensive and very well done. Bill Harwood was Vice President, Public Relations when I worked for the company.