Dr. David Cummings graduated from Rice University with a BS in Physics in 1963 and a PhD in Space Science in 1966. In the fall of 1966, he joined UCLA as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Planetary and Space Science.  In 1969, he was named Head of the Physics Department at Grambling College (later Grambling State University) in Louisiana.  In 1976, he became the Executive Director of the Universities Space Research Association (USRA). In this capacity he was the Chief Operating Officer for USRA for thirty years. He remains at USRA as Senior Advisor and (as of 1 October 2018) Historian.

Acknowledgements.- Foreword.- 1 Gaping at the Moon.- 2 Lunar Observations and Speculations-From Gilbert to the Apollo Explorations.- 3 Pre-Apollo Theories about the Origin of the Moon.- 4 Exploring the Moon-the Apollo Investigations.- 5 Post-Apollo Synthesis and Debate.- 6 Widening the Research Front.- 7 The Kona Conference-Day 1.- 8 The Kona Conference-Day 2.- 9 The Kona Conference-Day 3.- 10 Assessments.- 11 Epilogue.- Glossary.- Index.