An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth - Chris Hadfield

An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

By Chris Hadfield

  • Release Date: 2013-10-29
  • Genre: Self-Improvement
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 221 Ratings

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.

Reviews

  • Maybe a great read as a first self-improvement book, but not so if you’ve read several others

    3
    By jimmydinh
    As far as self-improvement is concerned, this book delivers with basic messages that are better presented by other authors. It adds nothing new or challenging for readers to muse over. The book is contextualized in being an astronaut and what it takes to be one, so be prepared for long-winded setups and anecdotes to illustrate concepts.
  • Fantastic book

    5
    By SteeVD1223
    This book was a great read. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in space, the ISS, or just looking to gain some more perspective.
  • Attention future astronauts!

    4
    By Chianne61
    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.
  • An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

    5
    By H Timothy Garling
    I never had any notion about what life in space would be like,until I read this book. Fascinating! I purchased the book immediately after the NPR radio interview with Chris Hadfield. Definitely worth a listen. Timothy Garling
  • If it can get you to space it can get you anywhere

    5
    By Zissou64
    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

    5
    By bmonkl
    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.