Michael Belfiore

The Department of Mad Scientists, my new book on DARPA—the U.S. Department of Defense agency that gave us the Internet, the first satellite navigation system, and many other crucial breakthroughs—is now available!

You can purchase a hardcover copy of the book, download the e-book, or download the audio version (read by me).

What some free samples? Click the Browse Inside and Audio Clip buttons in the sidebar at left.

Advance praise for The Department of Mad Scientists

"Compelling, fascinating and altogether accessible… If you want to know who really invented the Internet, or how brain waves can control robotic limbs, or how smart cars will become brilliant, this is your book. A must-read for those interested in invention in the modern age, and those who want to learn how government can foster innovation without creating sluggish bureaucracy."

—Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics

"A fascinating introduction to a veritable pantheon of geek gods who quietly shaped the face of modern technology."

—Daniel H. Wilson, roboticist and author of How to Survive a Robot Uprising

"Belfiore’s illuminating account of DARPA is both sophisticated and accessible, showing us the inner workings of one of the most innovative and low-profile government agencies in operation today."

—Susan Eisenhower, president, The Eisenhower Group 

"Michael Belfiore's research spotlights the genius of a few hundred scientists and engineers whose work for five decades has flown "under the radar" of public attention. The result is an entertaining and information rich account of a small, efficient government agency that often turned 20th century sci-fi into 21st century technical reality. Belfiore will inspire young readers of a scientific bent to flood DARPA with their resumes."

—Robert Wallace, author of SPYCRAFT: The Secret History of the CIA's Spytechs from Communism to al-Qaeda

"Belfiore tells a story that is essential for understanding modern technology."

—Seth Fletcher, Popular Science 

"An inspiring book about a crucial government agency (DARPA) with a driving spirit to do the impossible and to do it fast. We all need to read this book and be inspired."

—John Seely Brown, Former Chief Scientist of Xerox and Director of its Palo Alto Research Center (PARC)

"DARPA’s history has never been told at the level of detail and with such mastery as in this book. Michael Belfiore has researched the full history of this agency and treats us to the early origins of DARPA, its key personalities, its tremendous accomplishments and its culture in a style replete with anecdotes and heretofore unpublished facts and insights about the "Mad Scientists" that made all this happen. This is a must-read."

—Leonard Kleinrock, Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, UCLA, and Internet pioneer

"For an Agency that has been so pivotal for so many technologies, DARPA remains surprisingly unknown. Belfiore explores both the history and the future of the agency in one accessible volume."

—Nathan Hughes, Military Analyst, STRATFOR

"Belfiore succeeds in capturing the magic culture and motivation of America's most amazing innovation machine!"

—Peter Garretson, Transformational Strategist; Former Chief of Future Science and Technology Exploration, HQ USAF; and DARPA Service Chiefs' Intern

Praise for Rocketeers

Forbes

That this story is still unfolding makes it especially exciting to read.... Throughout, Belfiore's writing is lucid and energetic, and his passion for all things space-related makes even technical discussions of aerodynamics easy reading.

—David Gelles, October 2, 2007

Wall Street Journal

The combination of lavish investment, entrepreneurial zeal and technological inventiveness may well give a big lift to nongovernmental efforts at space exploration. Mr. Belfiore does a terrific job of capturing the dream-chasing that is already under way. If we ever see cities on the moon or Mars—the kind of thing science fiction once promised so enticingly—I'm betting that the lion's share of credit will go not to NASA but to 21st-century rocketeers.

—Glenn Reynolds, Sunday, July 29, 2007

Library Journal (starred review)

This readable and compelling account of commercial spaceflight opens at the Mojave Desert October 4, 2004, X Prize competition for the first private U.S. space launch, then traces the new space entrepreneurs' time line backward and forward. [Belfiore's] engaging style and detailed notes make this an involving book. Highly recommended for public and academic collections.

—Sara Tompson, August 15, 2007

Wired

8 out of 10 stars for Rocketeers

The commercial space race is heating up so fast, you need a cheat sheet to keep track of all the billionaires and gamblers vying to be the first private entrepreneur to blast paying customers into orbit. The author does a stellar job introducing an intriguing cast of characters—from Virgin Galactic's Richard Branson to Robert Bigelow, who's building the first hotel in space.

—Mark Horowitz, August, 2007

Advance praise for Rocketeers

"My walk on the moon was an important beginning, but the privatization of space travel is an essential next step toward realizing our cosmic destiny. In his engaging, highly readable Rocketeers, Michael Belfiore tells the fascinating story of the entrepreneurs who have already made it happen."

—Buzz Aldrin, astronaut, Apollo 11

"Michael Belfiore has written the first truly definitive history of private spaceflight. His insights into the harrowing test flights of Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne and the inside tour of hotel magnate Robert Bigelow's orbital hotel project are fascinating. Rocketeers is a riveting, you-are-there account of how this ragtag collection of innovative thinkers, brave pilots, and bold visionaries is—right now—launching one of the most exciting new industries in history. Belfiore's eloquent writing and exhaustive reporting—as well as his imaginative projections of where this will take us all—really bring this mysterious, secretive world to life."

—Eric Adams, Senior Editor, Popular Science

"The U.S. manned space program fired the imagination of the entire world in the 1960s and 1970s. More recently, the space industry has changed the world with communications satellites, and NASA has changed our understanding of our solar system and the universe with its space science probes. However, since the 70s, manned space exploration has stagnated, and the public has largely lost interest. Enter Rocketeers, a hugely enjoyable account of what a new breed of space enthusiasts is doing. It has enough technical detail to keep the professional interested, but is mainly about a fascinating group of overachieving dreamers who have invested their lives and fortunes on our future in space."

—Dan Erwin, Professor of Astronautics, University of Southern California

I'm a freelance journalist and copywriter focused on breakthrough technologies poised to change our world for the better.

I'm the author of Rocketeers: How a Visionary Band of Business Leaders, Engineers, and Pilots Is Boldly Privatizing Space (Smithsonian Books, 2007).

My current projects include articles and other reporting for Popular Science, Popular Mechanics and Air & Space magazines.

I also provide marketing and public relations copywriting services to advanced technology companies.

You can read more about me, read my free white paper on how to write high-tech marketing communications, link to my blog, or contact me on this site.