Found in 1 comment on Hacker News
davi · 2009-04-25 · Original thread
The Man Who Sold the Moon, by Robert Heinlein

http://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Sold-Moon/dp/0671578634

(spoilers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_Who_Sold_the_Moon)

Then, for fun, go on to The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, wherein a great acronym TANSTAAFL is introduced.

Fresh book recommendations delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday.