The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
felicitymbc's review against another edition
5.0
I don't tend to read self-help books (or non-fiction in general), but this was a book I enjoyed from start to finish. Commander Chris Hadfield relates, in plain English and with his characteristic good humour, his journey from childhood to Astronaut and beyond, including numerous ups and downs along the way. Throughout, Hadfield shows a lot of vulnerability and humility, allowing readers to feel like we're really getting to know the man behind the spacesuit visor and the viral Space Oddity cover, and what it's truly like to be an astronaut.
In the process, Hadfield conveys many of the life lessons he's learned and applied, including "Sweat the small stuff", "Aim to be a zero" and "The power of negative thinking". Very few people may ever be astronauts, and not all workspaces operate the way a space agency does (with exacting requirements, relentless focus on safety and a clear common sense of purpose), yet I think these principles are in some ways evergreen, and while reading I found myself inspired to find ways of applying these lessons where I can in my own life.
The story is told in an extremely loose chronology - for example, when telling the story of a launch, Hadfield may jump to describing a different launch he was involved in at an earlier or later date, or to a different historical launch entirely, or to another aspect of his life that had some relevance. Despite the jumping around in time, the story never feels disjointed - perhaps this is because the anecdotes all converge to a valuable lesson Hadfield learned as a result of those combined experiences, or perhaps it's just because of the engaging way the story is told. We spend far more time reading about astronaut training than we do about Hadfield's time in space, but this never feels disappointing (reflecting, Hadfield repeatedly makes clear, his own feelings about these different parts of his life) - instead, it uplifts the parts of Hadfield's life that are probably the most relatable to us Earth-bound readers.
I borrowed a library copy that included an afterword, written in April 2021, and herein lies my one and only gripe with the book: There was a bit too much Musk-worship in the afterword. If this is triggering to you in any way, I still recommend reading the book, just skip the afterword (or get a pre-2021 copy without it). After Hadfield's efforts throughout the rest of the book to appreciate the multitude of team players who helped make the space program a success, I found it jarring to suddenly see him credit Musk with the achievements of SpaceX (instead of the hundreds of people actually doing the work). I wonder if Hadfield would have written a different afterword if he'd written it today.
I'd recommend An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth for all armchair astronauts wanting to understand what it's really like to be part of a space program, and especially for any fans of Commander Chris Hadfield, Canada's first commander of the ISS.
In the process, Hadfield conveys many of the life lessons he's learned and applied, including "Sweat the small stuff", "Aim to be a zero" and "The power of negative thinking". Very few people may ever be astronauts, and not all workspaces operate the way a space agency does (with exacting requirements, relentless focus on safety and a clear common sense of purpose), yet I think these principles are in some ways evergreen, and while reading I found myself inspired to find ways of applying these lessons where I can in my own life.
The story is told in an extremely loose chronology - for example, when telling the story of a launch, Hadfield may jump to describing a different launch he was involved in at an earlier or later date, or to a different historical launch entirely, or to another aspect of his life that had some relevance. Despite the jumping around in time, the story never feels disjointed - perhaps this is because the anecdotes all converge to a valuable lesson Hadfield learned as a result of those combined experiences, or perhaps it's just because of the engaging way the story is told. We spend far more time reading about astronaut training than we do about Hadfield's time in space, but this never feels disappointing (reflecting, Hadfield repeatedly makes clear, his own feelings about these different parts of his life) - instead, it uplifts the parts of Hadfield's life that are probably the most relatable to us Earth-bound readers.
I borrowed a library copy that included an afterword, written in April 2021, and herein lies my one and only gripe with the book: There was a bit too much Musk-worship in the afterword. If this is triggering to you in any way, I still recommend reading the book, just skip the afterword (or get a pre-2021 copy without it). After Hadfield's efforts throughout the rest of the book to appreciate the multitude of team players who helped make the space program a success, I found it jarring to suddenly see him credit Musk with the achievements of SpaceX (instead of the hundreds of people actually doing the work). I wonder if Hadfield would have written a different afterword if he'd written it today.
I'd recommend An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth for all armchair astronauts wanting to understand what it's really like to be part of a space program, and especially for any fans of Commander Chris Hadfield, Canada's first commander of the ISS.
wats_shi_readin's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
adurance's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
I loved this book and still think about it and recommend it 3 years later.Â
1outside's review against another edition
5.0
This book filled me with joy.
I seriously consider reading it again straight away!
I seriously consider reading it again straight away!
lydiaann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.75
mixedblessings89's review against another edition
5.0
Really quite excellent.
An intimate account of achieving a life-long obsession, without falling into the traps of obsessive behaviour. This is a close look at the workings of astronauts, and everything it entails from one of the most visibly successful astronauts yet. It also affords the general public a heretofore unavailable window into the Space Program, and its vital importance in our every day lives.
It also highlights the cooperation of NASA and the Russian Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos, and show a human side to Russians who at least for me have so far been remote being hidden behind Mr. Putin and his lot. These Russians seem like regular people one could meet in any country- in fact, they sound just like the people working for NASA and CSA. The author considers them friends and team mates, and writes warmly about them. This is important in light of all the rhetoric we've been hearing and reading from both sides (but especially the Americans) in light of the Ukraine and Crimea issue. Science works above politics, if given any room at all. A must read.
An intimate account of achieving a life-long obsession, without falling into the traps of obsessive behaviour. This is a close look at the workings of astronauts, and everything it entails from one of the most visibly successful astronauts yet. It also affords the general public a heretofore unavailable window into the Space Program, and its vital importance in our every day lives.
It also highlights the cooperation of NASA and the Russian Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos, and show a human side to Russians who at least for me have so far been remote being hidden behind Mr. Putin and his lot. These Russians seem like regular people one could meet in any country- in fact, they sound just like the people working for NASA and CSA. The author considers them friends and team mates, and writes warmly about them. This is important in light of all the rhetoric we've been hearing and reading from both sides (but especially the Americans) in light of the Ukraine and Crimea issue. Science works above politics, if given any room at all. A must read.
vinisha's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED this book.
So much so that it took me so long to write a review.
So much so that it took me so long to write a review.
plootensnooten's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating insight into the single-minded determination required to become an Astronaut, the experience of space flight and life on the International Space Station.
allegra_j's review against another edition
5.0
I'm in general a fan of any sort of astronaut autobiography, so I've read a spectrum of them. This is one of my favorites. I love the way Hadfield explains complex concepts in very easy to understand language. I enjoy the humility and sense of humor that flavors this book. His writing voice reminds me of John Glenn's writing voice... that "in it for the team" personality that I so love about astronauts. I especially love the section on the "annoying little habits" he picked up upon return to Earth, because there's a lesson in that for all of us.
Long ago, Apollo astronauts took the famous picture we now as "moonrise" showing the gorgeous Earth rising over the gray horizon of the moon. The picture has been a symbol to some of our fragile blue planet that is literally our entire world floating in the vastness of the universe. Hadfield's final chapters are like a written "moonrise" for the new generation... a reminder that this planet is what we have and it's more wonderful than most of us can even realize but we must care for it.
Loved loved LOVED it, and it's appropriate for all ages.
Also? He's totally a +1. Don't let him convince you otherwise.
Long ago, Apollo astronauts took the famous picture we now as "moonrise" showing the gorgeous Earth rising over the gray horizon of the moon. The picture has been a symbol to some of our fragile blue planet that is literally our entire world floating in the vastness of the universe. Hadfield's final chapters are like a written "moonrise" for the new generation... a reminder that this planet is what we have and it's more wonderful than most of us can even realize but we must care for it.
Loved loved LOVED it, and it's appropriate for all ages.
Also? He's totally a +1. Don't let him convince you otherwise.