An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

by Chris Hadfield

As Commander of the International Space Station, Chris Hadfield captivated the world with stunning photos and commentary from space. Now, in his first book, Chris offers readers extraordinary stories from his life as an astronaut, and shows how to make the impossible a reality.
 
Chris Hadfield decided to become an astronaut after watching the Apollo moon landing with his family on Stag Island, Ontario, when he was nine years old, and it was impossible for Canadians to be astronauts. In 2013, he served as Commander of the International Space Station orbiting the Earth during a five-month mission. Fulfilling this lifelong dream required intense focus, natural ability and a singular commitment to “thinking like an astronaut.” In An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, Chris gives us a rare insider’s perspective on just what that kind of thinking involves, and how earthbound humans can use it to achieve success and happiness in their lives.
Astronaut training turns popular wisdom about how to be successful on its head. Instead of visualizing victory, astronauts prepare for the worst; always sweat the small stuff; and do care what others think. Chris shows how this unique education comes into play with dramatic anecdotes about going blind during a spacewalk, getting rid of a live snake while piloting a plane, and docking with space station Mir when laser tracking systems fail at the critical moment. Along the way, he shares exhilarating experiences, and challenges, from his 144 days on the ISS, and provides an unforgettable answer to his most-asked question: What’s it really like in outer space?
Written with humour, humility and a profound optimism for the future of space exploration, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth offers readers not just the inspiring story of one man’s journey to the ISS, but the opportunity to step into his space-boots and think like an astronaut—and renew their commitment to pursuing their own dreams, big or small.

• ISBN10: 0345812700
• ISBN13: 9780345812704
• Publish Date: 29 October 2013 (first published 1 January 2013)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: CA
• Imprint: Random House Canada
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 320
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/isbn/9780345812704

Reviews

[Jeff Sexton]

Space Oddities. This is an intriguing look at the life of the man who became Canada's first space walker and who went viral a few years ago when he (and his son and several others) put together a music video for David Bowie's Space Oddities... from the International Space Station. Solid, enjoyable read that is even more fascinating when read close in time to other books from other former ISS Commanders, as the different tones about their jobs and the different expressions of experiences they share roughly in common are even more fascinating than this book by itself - which is still very strong in its own right. Absolutely recommended.

[remo]

Grande, grandísimo libro autobiográfico de un laureado astronauta canadiense. En él, entremezclados con sus vivencias y anécdotas, hay imbricados unas cuantos consejos para la vida que el autor ha seguido a rajatabla y que han conseguido, junto a la suerte, que todo le haya ido de puta madre. Me cae simpático, el coronel Hadfield. El libro da muchísimos detalles sobre lo que supone ser un astronauta, sobre las partes técnicas, los interminables ensayos y pruebas, y luego el Espacio. Ver la Tierra de un solo vistazo. El autor apela repetidamente al sentido de la maravilla y yo se lo acepto. Me ha gustado muchísimo el libro. Altamente recomendable.