The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
nakenyon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
allegra_j's review
4.0
I have read many biographies and memoirs of Astronauts, and I'm really pleased that this one managed to strike yet a new tone. I enjoyed the background before Massimino worked for NASA. I find few biographies go into that, and I think it's important, so I appreciate that Massimino documented his struggles and failures along with successes.
I really appreciated also the discussion of the Columbia disaster. And of course, like many an astronaut biography, there is that "and then I looked back at the earth" moment that satisfied my cravings.
I remember Massimino's second space flight, though I did not remember his name, but I was watching NASA TV (yes, I do watch NASA TV) during the Hubble repair. I remember the situation with the screw. I never would have known he was panicking inside. And when it was all over, I never for a second thought of it as a failure, but as an example of NASA's teamwork and ingenuity. As Gene Kranz said "With all due respect, sir, I believe this is gonna be our finest hour". I was surprised, I guess, when I learned I was reading that guy's book, and I felt like shouting at it "I was there! It was great! Nobody noticed!"
Overall, a good read.
I really appreciated also the discussion of the Columbia disaster. And of course, like many an astronaut biography, there is that "and then I looked back at the earth" moment that satisfied my cravings.
I remember Massimino's second space flight, though I did not remember his name, but I was watching NASA TV (yes, I do watch NASA TV) during the Hubble repair. I remember the situation with the screw. I never would have known he was panicking inside. And when it was all over, I never for a second thought of it as a failure, but as an example of NASA's teamwork and ingenuity. As Gene Kranz said "With all due respect, sir, I believe this is gonna be our finest hour". I was surprised, I guess, when I learned I was reading that guy's book, and I felt like shouting at it "I was there! It was great! Nobody noticed!"
Overall, a good read.
magicseaweed's review
5.0
Absolutely incredible. Parts were so beautiful that I cried. I love the universe.
eandrews80's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
I dare you to read this and NOT fall in love with Mike Massimino and the entire space program! What an inspiring, uplifting, and fascinating book. Massimino's personal story is great; I loved hearing about the innumerable obstacles he overcame to realize his dream and become an astronaut. But his description of NASA -- its characters, culture, dedication to science and exploration -- is equally wonderful, as are his first-hand accounts of going to space (!) to spacewalk (!!) in order to fix the Hubble telescope (!!!) two separate times (?!). He's a gifted storyteller and I can see why he ended up doing so much PR for the agency. This made me want to learn about more recent NASA history, after the shuttle program ended.
ainsleym's review
5.0
Really well done. Engaging conversational tone that strikes the perfect balance between info about NASA/Hubble and Massimino’s unique personal experience as an astronaut.
cwalsh's review against another edition
Because I didn't choose to read this book and would never have picked it up (it is the 2018 LI Reads book), I think it would be very unfair to rate this. However, I will share my opinions below and my personal rating for it below.
Spaceman is a book that I didn't like, but that's solely based off of my own preferences. While I enjoyed and admired Massimino's drive and enthusiasm, I could only read about the screws of a shuttle for so long. Perhaps the only thing that I actually found interesting was the fact that I have to go to space to fully experience OK Computer.
My rating for this book would be a half star, but again, that would be unfair. Based off of the ratings, I would say that you shouldn't let my opinion on the book influence yours too much, because while it obviously wasn't my cup of tea, it's certainly someone else's!
Spaceman is a book that I didn't like, but that's solely based off of my own preferences. While I enjoyed and admired Massimino's drive and enthusiasm, I could only read about the screws of a shuttle for so long. Perhaps the only thing that I actually found interesting was the fact that I have to go to space to fully experience OK Computer.
My rating for this book would be a half star, but again, that would be unfair. Based off of the ratings, I would say that you shouldn't let my opinion on the book influence yours too much, because while it obviously wasn't my cup of tea, it's certainly someone else's!
iwannagotospace's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
This is it. This is my favorite book. It made me cry and it made me dream and I want to read it again and again.
cook_memorial_public_library's review
4.0
A 2016 staff favorite recommended by Andrea.
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sspaceman%20massimino__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sspaceman%20massimino__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold