The Lunar Eye – Robert Moore Williams (1964)

‘THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOON

The year was 1972 and on rocket bases in the parched deserts of California and the vast wastes of Siberia, the race for the moon entered its final, frenzied lap, Both America and Russia were ready to step out into space and all that seemed in doubt was which country would set foot on the moon first.

But unknown to both nations, a third force – a power far more insidious than any evil ever devised by a human mind – was plotting the destruction of any rocket that tried to touch the moon’s pitted surface.

The key to overcoming this plot against mankind was contained in the mystery of THE LUNAR EYE – and unless its secret could be unlocked, mankind would be forever shackled within the bounds of this planet.’

Blurb from the 1964 Ace Doubles paperback edition F-261

Just predating the moon landings, this piece is interesting in that it is written against the backdrop of the Russian/American race to reach the moon.
Art Harper and his brother Gecko run a gas-station which serves the traffic visiting the desert rocket base from which the US rocket will leave for the moon. Odd delays and accidents have occurred though, and the launch is behind schedule.
While in a diner, chatting to a tyre-salesman, Art receives a call from a mysterious woman who speaks in a foreign language and is surprised that Art has ‘not woken up’. The woman wants to delay a truck delivering vital supplies to the rocket base. Art refuses to help, and the truck subsequently crashes.
Art then discovers that he is not Art Harper at all, but a member of part of the human race that left Earth thousands of years ago and now live in a vast city on the dark side of the moon. Art’s people do not want anyone from earth landing on their world.
Art and his brother Gecko are subsequently taken to the Moon, where they (and the rest of the Earth) are put on public trial, and where the brothers have to convince the whole of the Lunar race that welcoming the people of Earth would be the best thing for everyone.