An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth
What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything
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4.3 • 223 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
Colonel Chris Hadfield has spent decades training as an astronaut and has logged nearly 4000 hours in space. During this time he has broken into a Space Station with a Swiss army knife, disposed of a live snake while piloting a plane, and been temporarily blinded while clinging to the exterior of an orbiting spacecraft. The secret to Col. Hadfield's success-and survival-is an unconventional philosophy he learned at NASA: prepare for the worst-and enjoy every moment of it.
In An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, Col. Hadfield takes readers deep into his years of training and space exploration to show how to make the impossible possible. Through eye-opening, entertaining stories filled with the adrenaline of launch, the mesmerizing wonder of spacewalks, and the measured, calm responses mandated by crises, he explains how conventional wisdom can get in the way of achievement-and happiness. His own extraordinary education in space has taught him some counterintuitive lessons: don't visualize success, do care what others think, and always sweat the small stuff.
You might never be able to build a robot, pilot a spacecraft, make a music video or perform basic surgery in zero gravity like Col. Hadfield. But his vivid and refreshing insights will teach you how to think like an astronaut, and will change, completely, the way you view life on Earth-especially your own.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Inspired to become an astronaut after watching the Apollo 11 moon landing as a child, Chris Hadfield went on to become the commander of the International Space Station and the first Canadian to walk in space. In An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, the charismatic Hadfield—whose social media missives from orbit became wildly popular—shares revealing stories about the wonders and challenges of working in space, as well as the no-nonsense philosophies that got him there. Written with heart, humor, and optimism, this fascinating book will thrill armchair explorers and motivate readers to pursue their dreams here on Earth.
Customer Reviews
Attention future astronauts!
The first half of Chris Hadfield's book is both an autobiography and a self-help guidebook to developing the kind of mental attitude it takes to be an astronaut. It is good advice and interesting, but I wish the earnestness had been toned down just a tad! The second half is describing what it is like to be rocketed off of Earth, what living aboard the ISS entails, and how the body feels after returning to the conditions of gravity. Hadfield also explains those famous videos! It is a very interesting book and I enjoyed reading it.
If it can get you to space it can get you anywhere
This was an excellent reflection on hard work, perseverance, and a preparedness. I feel really lucky to have read this book and appreciate the advice and experience of such an accomplished Human Being.
This book is very difficult to put down and I'll definitely be reading it again.
Fantastic
Fantastic. I first watched one of Col Hatfield's videos while teaching students about planets in a Star Lab planetarium. The students where in awe. I love this guy and what he done to bring positive attention back to space flight. All while being humble and greatful. Excellent read into the life of a super cool astronaut.