Thad Roberts was a brilliant young man with high ambitions to be an astronaut. But there was a wild streak — an uncontrolled streak — that led him down a path of danger. That path included stealing moon rocks from Johnson Space Center (NASA) where Thad was working.

Sex on the Moon is a book about unfulfilled brilliance and potential. Written entirely from Thad Roberts’ perspective by author Ben Mezrich, the book attempts to answer the question, “What the hell were you thinking?” Or at least that’s how I see the purpose of the book. It’s clearly not a historical look at the heist, nor is it a balanced analysis of the story because it does not offer alternative perspectives.

And that’s too bad. Because after mostly ignoring the perspectives of others involved and instead focusing on what was going on in Thad Roberts’ mind, the author still did not fully explain to me what Roberts’ was thinking. And as a result I don’t really trust the narrative of the book to give me the full story. We did not get the perspective of the two women who were part of the heist, and very little of the prosecutors or judges perspective (Roberts was sentenced to 7.5 years in jail for his crime). We got a cartoon character perspective of the Belgium rock collector who alerted the FBI to the scheme. We got a very harsh interpretation of Thad’s parents. Some of the NASA scientists even come across as a bit air headed.

Ultimately, the book left me frustrated. Thad Roberts comes across as a man without real morals, constantly justifying his behavior with self-serving platitudes. Frankly, what he did made me angry. After the Declaration of Independence, can you think of anything America owns that is more valuable than moon rocks? If the USA disappears tomorrow, one could easily argue that the two achievements it will be most known for are the line Thomas Jefferson wrote, “…we believe all men are created equal…” and sending men to the moon. Thad Roberts violated both of those achievements, and apparently did so for the fun of it.

So the book left me wanting. I don’t feel that I understand Thad Roberts at all, and frankly feel that he should still be in prison. I don’t feel that the story was particularly interesting. And I don’t feel the book was well researched or well balanced. Sorry, Mezrich, but The Accidental Billionaires was better. This book is a disappointment.

By the way, in case you are wondering, the phrase “sex on the moon” comes about because Thad Roberts and his girlfriend had sex on one of the moon rocks that was under the sheets. Stupid and silly. But I guess it will attract attention and sell more books. Or be a good movie title. Hopefully the movie will be better than the book.