"In Going to the Moon, poet Sally Ashton takes us on the journey of a lifetime. The unexpected inclusion of one of her poems on a Moon-going mission sets off a series of reflections on what it might mean to be part of the space race and to ultimately lose the uninhabited Moon. Ashton soon realizes her own notions of moral outrage at the forces of lunar development are in very real conflict with her excitement at going-even vicariously-to the Moon. Set against her lifelong practice of lunar observation and wonder, Ashton reconsiders how she regards lunar settlement in light of history, culture, the rise of space industry, geopolitical conflict, and inevitably the reality of change itself. Whether tracing her moon-going roots, searching for moonlight, chasing the total eclipse, counting down the days until the moon landers launch, or simply lifting her face to the sky, Ashton shares her sense of wonder and gratitude at the simple beauty of our unharnessed Moon. She marvels at its powerful influences from the dawn of humanity, how we have all gone to the Moon, what we have found there. In doing so, she reveals whats at stake with the lunar gold rush, what we stand to lose"-- Provided by publisher.