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Carrying the Fire

An Astronaut's Journeys

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About this listen

'No other person who has flown in space has captured the experience so vividly' - New York Times Book Review

In July 1969, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins piloted the Apollo 11 spacecraft to the moon. Fifty years later, it is still one of the greatest achievements in human history.

In this remarkable memoir, Michael Collins conveys, in a very personal way, the drama, beauty, and humour of that adventure. He also traces his development from his first flight experiences in the air force, through his days as a test pilot, to his involvement in Project Gemini and his first spaceflight on Gemini 10. He presents an evocative picture of the famous Apollo 11 spacewalk, detailing the joys of flight and a new perspective on time, light, and movement from someone who has seen the fragile Earth from the other side of the moon.

Updated with a new preface to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon-landing, Carrying the Fire by Michael Collins is the utterly absorbing and truly compelling classic account of what it was like to be a member of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.

 Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Aeronautics & Astronautics Astronomy & Space Science Professionals & Academics Science Science & Technology Air Force Inspiring Thought-Provoking Aviation Suspenseful Astronomy US Air Force Interstellar

Critic reviews

Collins tells what his space journeys meant to him as a human being [and] discusses the role of man amid the multitudinous mechanical marvels . . . Profoundly affecting
Michael Collins can write . . . No other person who has flown in space has captured the experience so vividly
A splendid and affirmative book . . . A magnificent piece of exposition alive with humour, candid in its anxiety, very sensitive in its appreciation of the men involved. (Edward Weeks)
All stars
Most relevant
I first read this as a young 15 year old in 1975.
It made an impression on me then and has done so again in 2019.
A remarkable story of adventure grounded in the science and determination of getting man to walk on the surface of the moon.
It also goes into post moon landing and how the famous 3 led their lives in the wake of this world changing event.
I’ll be back for another read. I’ll probably not wait 44 years next time though.

Second time around.

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The story of the early Apollo missions through the eyes of Me Charl Collins. An astonishing achievement and hard to believe that it happened 50 years ago

Moonstruck and Spellbinding

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Michael Collins was the most unassuming of the three astronauts that took that first journey that landed on the moon. And he remained in orbit while Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the surface. Yet Collins' is the most eloquent description, the most enjoyable, being poetic at times in its narration. His descriptions of the earth, the moon, the NASA programme, and the journey, are profound. Thank you, Mike Collins, for such a great story.

Eloquent narration of first journey to the moon

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if you have any interest in the race to the moon, this is a must read. Always fascinated by Michael Collins story and why he never actually when to the moon, great insight

fascinating insight

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didn't know what the expect but was enthralled for it's entirety. should definitely try it

fantastic book

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