An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

  • Downloads:6629
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-05-02 11:56:41
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Chris Hadfield
  • ISBN:1447259947
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

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。

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Reviews

kim

FINALLY。I'm so sorry Hassan it took me 2 years to finish!(view spoiler)[NGL, very well written, my only issue is that i found it sO HARD to relate to a caucasian man who knew exactly what he wanted to do from a young age, set out and achieved it。 I also really don't care that much about space。 So he was talking a lot about space for someone who didn't care which got a little boring and tedious。 I can appreciate some of the advice he gave, particularly aiming to be a zero。 Ok thats it!(hide spoi FINALLY。I'm so sorry Hassan it took me 2 years to finish!(view spoiler)[NGL, very well written, my only issue is that i found it sO HARD to relate to a caucasian man who knew exactly what he wanted to do from a young age, set out and achieved it。 I also really don't care that much about space。 So he was talking a lot about space for someone who didn't care which got a little boring and tedious。 I can appreciate some of the advice he gave, particularly aiming to be a zero。 Ok thats it!(hide spoiler)] 。。。more

Rachel

This memoir follows Chris Hadfield's rise in CSA/NASA and chronicles some of his time spent on the ISS during his last trip to space。The first part of this book was tough to get through。 Hadfield constantly repeated himself by approaching his story from lesson based chapters instead of chronologically。 Also Hadfield contradictorily preached the selflessness/team based approach to being an astronaut, but he came off very egotistical and in love with himself。 The last couple of chapters in this bo This memoir follows Chris Hadfield's rise in CSA/NASA and chronicles some of his time spent on the ISS during his last trip to space。The first part of this book was tough to get through。 Hadfield constantly repeated himself by approaching his story from lesson based chapters instead of chronologically。 Also Hadfield contradictorily preached the selflessness/team based approach to being an astronaut, but he came off very egotistical and in love with himself。 The last couple of chapters in this book were the strongest and why I bumped my rating from 2 to 3 stars。 Hadfield chronicled the experiences of himself and some of his fellow space travelers。 During this part of the book I was engrossed in the story and felt like I did learn something。 Overall if you are interested in space or the process of becoming an astronaut you might find this book interesting, but be prepared to be overwhelmed by Hadfields "humility"。 。。。more

Luigi Ciciretto

The book was not as inspiring as his live talks, which is to be expected, but I loved getting to know more about the astronaut experience from take off to landing。 It was amazing to learn about all the forethought, and sometimes trial and error, that goes into having people living in orbit。 The extensive amount of training, travel, and demands on an astronaut were surprising。Overall, I thought it was worth the read。

Anwesh Ganguli

Every once in a while there comes a book that not only makes the reading experience good but it sticks to you forever。 This book is one of them。 An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth by Commander Chris Hadfield is a book that I enjoyed from the get-go。 The way the book is written is amazing, anyone can understand what's going on。 The language is simple and conversational。 I like deep space and everything related to it。 So for me reading this book was as good as taking a ride in the ISS。 The chap Every once in a while there comes a book that not only makes the reading experience good but it sticks to you forever。 This book is one of them。 An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth by Commander Chris Hadfield is a book that I enjoyed from the get-go。 The way the book is written is amazing, anyone can understand what's going on。 The language is simple and conversational。 I like deep space and everything related to it。 So for me reading this book was as good as taking a ride in the ISS。 The chapters were concise and the things that have been written in this book the knowledge that has been shared is really amazing。 If you are into SCI-FI genre and have an interest in how life is in the ISS, how can you get yourself prepared for an ISS trip, what work you need to do up there, and all the other interesting things。。。。。 THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ! 。。。more

Ley

Took me 11 months to finish, but that doesn't mean I didn't love it! Col。 Chris Hadfield is so genuinely candid about himself and his experiences。 You really get to see what it takes to be an astronaut (it's not all just zero-gravity fun)。 :D Took me 11 months to finish, but that doesn't mean I didn't love it! Col。 Chris Hadfield is so genuinely candid about himself and his experiences。 You really get to see what it takes to be an astronaut (it's not all just zero-gravity fun)。 :D 。。。more

Sharron Wilson

I wavered between three and a four stars for this。 The insights into being an astronaut and the mindset that nasa train into them was really interesting。 In the nicest possible way, Chris is annoyingly perfect though。

Elenie

Easily one of my favourite books, filled with space and earthly adventures and humble learning。

bookish_rose

4。5 but rated higher this was a re-read and i just felt like i needed it。 chris has such a sound view on life and he has such an inspirational mind set, although i’m not sure i could be as productive as him! space is interesting and it’s always fascinating to read about but it was engaging to find it more about life as an astronaut。 it’s also worth watching his videos on youtube from his time in space!

Kristen

Truly a delightful read from beginning to end。 Loved Chris's spirit and the wisdom he imparts on his readers。 Truly a delightful read from beginning to end。 Loved Chris's spirit and the wisdom he imparts on his readers。 。。。more

Monique

I read this in 2016 and it's one of my all time favourite books and it I loved hearing about Chris's journey in space and how he got there。 I read this in 2016 and it's one of my all time favourite books and it I loved hearing about Chris's journey in space and how he got there。 。。。more

Carmen Meeks

I totally loved this book, which told the story of a journey toward a childhood goal that led to outer space。 Full of wise insights and unique experiences。 So fun!!

GIANNA

Another one that I stole from my brother's bookshelf。 But it was truly amazing! In the purest sense amazing!I enjoyed that Chris Hadfield gave valuable life lessons and advices but not in a boring way "listen what I got to say" way。 It was easy to read because he used analogies and examples from his own life。 It is not a book that you'll read for the sake of it and then forget the valuable advice, rather he explained them in a way in which you can remember them。A perfect balance between what he Another one that I stole from my brother's bookshelf。 But it was truly amazing! In the purest sense amazing!I enjoyed that Chris Hadfield gave valuable life lessons and advices but not in a boring way "listen what I got to say" way。 It was easy to read because he used analogies and examples from his own life。 It is not a book that you'll read for the sake of it and then forget the valuable advice, rather he explained them in a way in which you can remember them。A perfect balance between what he learned through life and how is it like to live in space。 It's hard for the book not to be intriguing。A must read! You probably won't find another book life this one (for obvious reasons)! :)) 。。。more

Laura Williams

This is actually the second time I’ve read this book, and I may have enjoyed it even more。 Insightful, funny, and packed with life lessons, I would recommend it to anyone and everyone!

Sara Maddock

Loved it! Great anecdotes, well- narrated (especially since it's the author and that isn't always a good choice)。 Good advice but more story telling。 Enough technical details to keep my nerd side interested。 Loved it! Great anecdotes, well- narrated (especially since it's the author and that isn't always a good choice)。 Good advice but more story telling。 Enough technical details to keep my nerd side interested。 。。。more

Dina

The author’s experience is very inspiring as is his enthusiasm for doing what he does。 That said, I had hard time sustaining my interest in the book after a few chapters。 Maybe I unrealistically expected a bit more interesting turns in the life of someone who works in space, maybe the writing was boring。 I guess it’s an autobiography thing: it is important to reflect on every detail for the author but the reader gets a raw diary full of impressions you don’t really relate to。 Which I find beauti The author’s experience is very inspiring as is his enthusiasm for doing what he does。 That said, I had hard time sustaining my interest in the book after a few chapters。 Maybe I unrealistically expected a bit more interesting turns in the life of someone who works in space, maybe the writing was boring。 I guess it’s an autobiography thing: it is important to reflect on every detail for the author but the reader gets a raw diary full of impressions you don’t really relate to。 Which I find beautiful in case of people I’m really interested in but here just didn’t work for me。 Anyway, this book is a great read for someone considering this career, it definitely gives a very detailed look at everyday life for space workers without unnecessary drama or glamour。 。。。more

Evamarie

Just wow! A must read。

Dhruv Ramani

You were right。 Should have read this earlier。

FQ AreMyInitials

I learned so much more about astronauts and astronaut life。 It was a great read! I highly recommend it to people who are interested in knowing more about astronaut life in space and general life lessons too!

Lina Järsö

I had the pleasure to hire Chris as inspirational speaker at a virtual event at my work and got to Zoom prep chat with him as well as receive a signed copy of his book。 During the Zoom chat I was already very star-struck from the little research I had done on him (I didn't know his name beforehand)。 He of course delivered the inspirational speech flawlessly from his bedroom at 02:30 AM his time (we were broadcasting from Europe)。 A couple of weeks later I picked up this book and finished it in a I had the pleasure to hire Chris as inspirational speaker at a virtual event at my work and got to Zoom prep chat with him as well as receive a signed copy of his book。 During the Zoom chat I was already very star-struck from the little research I had done on him (I didn't know his name beforehand)。 He of course delivered the inspirational speech flawlessly from his bedroom at 02:30 AM his time (we were broadcasting from Europe)。 A couple of weeks later I picked up this book and finished it in a couple of days。 The first chapters seemed somewhat repetitive to what I've already seen of him, and told in a little too cold and fact-oriented manner for my taste。 But then it takes off and I learn a lot about the history of space exploration and Chris's personal take on things in a fun and educative manner。 I will take with me his aim to be 'a zero' in a team as well as his deep belief in and dedication to preparation。 And both of those believes certainly paid off。 。。。more

Josh Foord

Brilliant insight and lessons from an incredible human being that is Chris Hadfield。 The guy is so down to Earth and doesn’t for a minute think that he is better or above anyone else just because he has achieved what very few have。 He breathes a reliving sigh of humility and humbleness as he tells incredible stories with such powerful messages。 As an Airline Pilot, these stories rang even more true in regards to stories with multi-crew environments, risk management and enjoying the career holist Brilliant insight and lessons from an incredible human being that is Chris Hadfield。 The guy is so down to Earth and doesn’t for a minute think that he is better or above anyone else just because he has achieved what very few have。 He breathes a reliving sigh of humility and humbleness as he tells incredible stories with such powerful messages。 As an Airline Pilot, these stories rang even more true in regards to stories with multi-crew environments, risk management and enjoying the career holistically and not just the promotions and big experiences。 Thoroughly enjoyed this book - highly recommend。 。。。more

Leif

Chris Hadfield is simply a Canadian Phenomena。 I am proud to say that this book now sits on my shelf, signed by Chris himself。 There was just so much to like about this book。 I have always been fascinated with astronauts, and this book truly delivered as promised。 Chris talks about not just what it is like to be in space, but the entire lifetime of learning and self-discipline that it took to become not just an astronaut, but a leader among astronauts。 I identified with the author a lot because Chris Hadfield is simply a Canadian Phenomena。 I am proud to say that this book now sits on my shelf, signed by Chris himself。 There was just so much to like about this book。 I have always been fascinated with astronauts, and this book truly delivered as promised。 Chris talks about not just what it is like to be in space, but the entire lifetime of learning and self-discipline that it took to become not just an astronaut, but a leader among astronauts。 I identified with the author a lot because I too am Canadian, I too was in a special school program for gifted children, and I too was an Air Cadet。 The similarities in accomplishment end there, but I have to admit I had wished as a younger person to go on to attend Royal Military College, and become a CF-1st 8 pilot as Chris did, and to go on to become an astronaut。 I am so fascinated with modern space flight that this book, and other books I want to recommend like "The Right Stuff" by Tom Wolfe and "Space" by James A Michener are dear to me as well。 The key thing I took away from this book was how to look ahead and plan ahead for major undertakings。 I am currently working on a book titled "Voted Off the Crew" and I honestly don't think I could have accomplished what I have done so far if I hadn't read and took to heart what Chris wrote in "An Astronaut's Guide to Life On Earth" I was so fascinated at the process of his practising and learning how to spacewalk on earth by putting on a spacesuit and being lowered to the bottom of a swimming pool。 There was a scene in the book where he was actually in space and went blind in one eye, and decided to keep working, then had the same issue with the other eye, floating miles above the Earth! This book, and this author are simply amazing。 。。。more

Tyson

An easy, breezy read for a lazy weekend。 Some good insights and advice that is broadly useful。 Interesting stories told in a humble, immensely Canadian way。

Aliaksei Ivanou

Крутая мотивирующая книга, написанная астронавтом, которая показывает, что для достижения мечты нужно очень много работать и в первую очередь работать над собой。 Автор показывает весь путь работы и восхождения к этой мечте, а путь-то был очень тернистый и шансов было у него не так много стать астронавтом, но он все же достиг своей мечты。 Далее о книге。 Очень много подробностей о жизни астронавтов и подготовке их к полетам, о тренировках。 Каждая тренировка - это моделирование любых, даже самых ма Крутая мотивирующая книга, написанная астронавтом, которая показывает, что для достижения мечты нужно очень много работать и в первую очередь работать над собой。 Автор показывает весь путь работы и восхождения к этой мечте, а путь-то был очень тернистый и шансов было у него не так много стать астронавтом, но он все же достиг своей мечты。 Далее о книге。 Очень много подробностей о жизни астронавтов и подготовке их к полетам, о тренировках。 Каждая тренировка - это моделирование любых, даже самых маловероятных ситуаций, которые могут теоретически случиться в космосе。 И соответственно самый частый вопрос, который задают астронавты себе при подготовке: от чего я могу погибнуть? Соответственно, астронавты и в обыденной жизни начинают себя вести так же, обращая внимание на всяческие мелочи。 Ибо астронавт, который не обращает внимание на мелочи, - мертвый астронавт。 И еще добавлю, что Крис Хэтфилд поступал очень мудро: если была возможность обучиться чему-то дополнительному - он всегда это делал, потому что знаний лишних не бывает; никогда не знаешь, что пригодится в работе。 В целом очень интересный микс получился у автора: автобиография, научпоп о космонавтике, плюс мотиватор по саморазвитию。 И поэтому очень рекомендую книгу всем, кто идет к своей мечте, кому тяжело, книга мотивирует не опускать руки и двигаться вперед, ибо только двигаясь вперед у вас все получится。 。。。more

Nitzhia Peleg

על כריס הדפילד שמעתי לראשונה די באיחור, ורק דרך גירסת הכיסוי שלו לשיר space oddity。 בסרטון רואים גבר נאה, בגיל העמידה, מרחף לו בתוך צינור מצופה באלומיניום, ומנגן בגיטרה, ולסירוגין מסתכל בנוף כדור הארץ מבחוץ。 כפי שתהו תלמידי כיתת המחוננים שלי: "זה אמיתי?"。 עשרות שנים של סרטים ודימויים ויזואליים של כאילו חלל, כאילו מעבורת חלל, כאילו חוסר כבידה, הרגילו אותנו לכאילו, עד שגם הדבר האמיתי נראה מפוברק。 כמו אותה שעה באחד עשר בספטמבר אלפיים ואחת שבה צפיתי בטלוויזיה בבניינים קורסים, ושמעתי שוב ושוב את הקרי על כריס הדפילד שמעתי לראשונה די באיחור, ורק דרך גירסת הכיסוי שלו לשיר space oddity。 בסרטון רואים גבר נאה, בגיל העמידה, מרחף לו בתוך צינור מצופה באלומיניום, ומנגן בגיטרה, ולסירוגין מסתכל בנוף כדור הארץ מבחוץ。 כפי שתהו תלמידי כיתת המחוננים שלי: "זה אמיתי?"。 עשרות שנים של סרטים ודימויים ויזואליים של כאילו חלל, כאילו מעבורת חלל, כאילו חוסר כבידה, הרגילו אותנו לכאילו, עד שגם הדבר האמיתי נראה מפוברק。 כמו אותה שעה באחד עשר בספטמבר אלפיים ואחת שבה צפיתי בטלוויזיה בבניינים קורסים, ושמעתי שוב ושוב את הקריינית מדגישה שזה הדבר האמיתי。 לא דימוי。 ובכל אופן, אם נחזור לכריס הדפילד, הוא שר יפה。 והסרטון שלו ויראלי, וזוכה לכמות מכובדת ביותר של צפיות。 אולי בגלל שזה באמת צולל בתחנת חלל。 אולי בגלל סיבות אחרות。אנשים אחרים שמעו על הדפילד עוד קודם, שכן מסתבר שהוא (או צוות העובדים בסוכנות החלל הקנדית) העלו לרשת סרטונים שבהם הוא מפרט על הזוטות הקטנות הכרוכות בחיים בחלל - כיצד מתרחצים, איך מצחצחים שיניים (בולעים את המשחה。。。) או מה ואיך אוכלים במהלך השהות הארוכה, ודברים נוספים הכרוכים בחיים בחלל צר ודחוס, בחוסר כבידה, ובמרחק אדיר מכדור הארץ。 איכשהו הפרטים הקטנים האלה הופכים להיות מאוד אטקרקטיביים。 אולי בגלל ההשערות הרבות שצמחו בספרי וסרטי המד"ב, ואולי כי סתם, אנחנו באמת מתעניינים בחלקים הקטנים שמרכיבים את חיי היומיום。אז כריס הדפילד חזר לכדור הארץ, ונכנס לאטמוספירה בשלום, מה שהוא מדגיש שוב ושוב שאינו מובן מאליו。 ועכשיו הוא מספר על חוויותיו。 אני לא יודעת אם יצא לכם פעם לדבר עם מישהו שחזר זה עתה ממסע בהודו。 או בקמצ'טקה。 לי יצא。 וזה די מעיק。 בחלון הזמן הראשוני, תחת עומס החוויות החזק, הן יוצאות דחוסות מאוד, נכנסות לפרטי פרטים שאינם בהכרח מעניינים, ואינטנסיביות מדי עבור השומע。 רק בחלוף הזמן, כאשר אותו אדם מעבד את החוויות שלו (בעצמו או בעזרת שומעים אומללים אחרים) ויוצק אותם לתוך מסגרות סיפוריות, הם הופכים להיות בני האזנה。 וזה מה שקורה כאן。 הדפילד לקח על עצמו משימה חינוכית - לשכנע אנשים שיש תועלת במבצעי החלל היקרים ובחקר החלל。 בנוסף הוא מנסה לערוך כאן סיכום של הקריירה שלו במעין ספר של עזרה עצמית המתאר את ההחלטות שקיבל במהלך חייו。 בדרך משם לכאן - בין החוויה העצומה והחזקה שעבר, ובין הזיקוק שלה כמשל מחנך לעולם, הוא מספר דברים מעניינים。 אבל שני הקצוות האחרים מצליחים לקלקל חלקים מהספר, ולהפוך אותו לעוד קוריוז שיווקי של סוכנות החלל הקנדית。ומי שרוצה לשמוע את ספייס אודיטי, זה מומלץ:https://www。youtube。com/watch?v=KaOC9。。。 。。。more

Radu Giurgiu

I really enjoyed this book。 I listened to the audio version and Chris Hadfield's voice just adds something special to it。 It's like he is sharing his story personally with you。 He has a nice sense of humour and the book sometimes keep you on the edge wanting to find out what happened in critical situations or be in awe of his dedication。The guide of the astronaut to life on Earth can be summarized in a few words: Always be prepared! You can never be overprepared but you can find yourself unprepa I really enjoyed this book。 I listened to the audio version and Chris Hadfield's voice just adds something special to it。 It's like he is sharing his story personally with you。 He has a nice sense of humour and the book sometimes keep you on the edge wanting to find out what happened in critical situations or be in awe of his dedication。The guide of the astronaut to life on Earth can be summarized in a few words: Always be prepared! You can never be overprepared but you can find yourself unprepared for anything life throws at you。 A very nice book to get inspired and enjoy the adventures of a dedicated astronaut in and out of Earth。 。。。more

Vic

Great book to read during the lockdown! It definitely gives you a much broader perspective on the sacrifices necessary to venture out to space。 The importance of sweating the small stuff。。 and being a net zero when you are part of the team。

Angelica Louise

"If you start thinking that only your biggest and shiniest moments count, you're setting yourself up to feel like a failure。 So to me, everything counts : the small moments, the medium ones, the successes that make the papers and also the ones that no one knows about but me。" "If you start thinking that only your biggest and shiniest moments count, you're setting yourself up to feel like a failure。 So to me, everything counts : the small moments, the medium ones, the successes that make the papers and also the ones that no one knows about but me。" 。。。more

Munin Kim

Mr。 Chris Hafield is such a great story teller! Going through the book I felt as if I was immersed in space myself。 What made me like the book even more lies in the way he told the story。 Despite his decorated career, he was very humbled and never failed to acknowledge the important people who made his accomplishments possible。There’s a wise African proverb that says “it takes a village to raise a child”, through this book it was made clear that it takes a village to raise an astronaut。The only Mr。 Chris Hafield is such a great story teller! Going through the book I felt as if I was immersed in space myself。 What made me like the book even more lies in the way he told the story。 Despite his decorated career, he was very humbled and never failed to acknowledge the important people who made his accomplishments possible。There’s a wise African proverb that says “it takes a village to raise a child”, through this book it was made clear that it takes a village to raise an astronaut。The only drawback is the title of the book as it was misleading。 No doubt there was a lot of valuable wisdom sprinkled throughout these pages but readers should not expect a “guide to [living your] life” as suggested by the title。 。。。more

Paige

This was fascinating, inspiring, and witty。 I had a few laugh out loud moments that I didn't expect。 This was fascinating, inspiring, and witty。 I had a few laugh out loud moments that I didn't expect。 。。。more

Joab John

A good book on critical thinking and developing a reality grounded problem solving mental framework。