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Over the Moon

Jeffrey Kluger's "Moon Walkers" left me with a new appreciation of our astronauts [July 27]. It was carefully researched and beautifully written and filled in the gap in my knowledge of the lives of these men after their missions. Kluger's last paragraph on the "enduring legacy" of the 24 men's unique "comradeship" will stay with me. They are more human and more heroic than I ever imagined. Gerry Mandel, ST. LOUIS, MO.

The brave astronauts who immeasurably boosted America's status during the Cold War undertook their daring adventures with full knowledge of the mortal dangers involved. But even more than their achievements, the true measure of their greatness is the humility they have shown--in a world where very ordinary men cannot stop bragging about trivial triumphs. Ajit Parihar, LUDHIANA, INDIA

The 40th anniversary of the moon landing was the perfect opportunity to reinject space exploration into the national consciousness. So I was disappointed that you ran a human-interest piece. The astronauts' post-NASA lives are not the primary story. The Apollo program represents more than a technological feat. The audacity to go to the moon was perhaps the 20th century's greatest illustration of America's optimism. Present generations of Americans need to recapture some of that audacity. Vincent Augelli, SAN DIEGO

School's In for Summer

I was disturbed to read about extending the academic year for schoolchildren [July 27]. The free time afforded by summer vacation does much for the mind, provided children have ample time to play, especially outside. If the issue is that low-income kids lose reading skills, communities would be better off implementing fun reading programs to keep kids growing. Childhood is a time of creativity and play. I'm not against education. I am completing my Ph.D. But I can't stand to think about my kids being behind their desks longer than they already are. Bethany Snyder, RESTON, VA.

For years, public libraries have offered free, structured, fun summer reading programs proven to keep skills sharp. Before we add to the school year, we should look to support the real pillars of lifelong education--our public libraries. Pamela Fitzgerald, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.

Two-State Confusion

Once again, a TIME article has fallen into the trap of depicting Israeli settlements as the main obstacle to peace in the Middle East [July 27]. The key problem continues to be the unwillingness of the Palestinian leadership and most Arab states in the region to accept Israel as a Jewish state. This is a much more fundamental issue than whether someone in Efrat or Ma'aleh Adumim can build an addition onto their house. Henry Goldberg, CHICAGO

Chutzpah is the term that comes to mind when reading Israel Katz's response to President Obama's efforts to solve the West Bank--settlement issue. Israel accepted $2.4 billion in aid last year from U.S. taxpayers, yet the Katz family and fellow settlers tell us to "butt out." Californians could use that money to ease our budget crisis, and we know better than to bite the hand that feeds us--even when it's our money in the first place. Doris Concklin, CARMICHAEL, CALIF.