Murray Leinster 
Operation Outer Space 

In this short novel Leinster follows the somewhat coincidental development of interstellar space travel as an unplanned side effect of the psychiatric treatment of a wealthy scientist with self-concept issues. The overcrowded Earth portrayed in the novel is one where individuals have little hope of advancement and Leinster does an excellent job of showing the psychological impact of this. The main character, Jed Cochrane, is a television producer who cleverly finances the development of interstellar travel through the production of a reality series and in so doing restores hope to humanity. There is also a strong theme throughout the book of man’s separation from nature due to the urbanization of Earth and the healing aspects of a return to a more naturalistic setting. (Goodreads)