Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Endurance by Scott Kelly

Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery
by Scott Kelly
400 pages

"A stunning memoir from the astronaut who spent a record-breaking year aboard the International Space Station--a candid account of his remarkable voyage, of the journeys off the planet that preceded it, and of his colorful formative years.

"The veteran of four space flights and the American record holder for consecutive days spent in space, Scott Kelly has experienced things very few have.  Now, he takes us inside a sphere utterly inimical to human life.  He describes navigating the extreme challenge of long-term spaceflight, both existential and banal: the devastating effects on the body; the isolation from everyone he loves and the comforts of Earth; the pressures of constant close cohabitation; the catastrophic risks of depressurization or colliding with space junk, and the still more haunting threat of being unable to help should tragedy strike at home...  Kelly's humanity, compassion, humor, and passion resonate throughout, as he recalls his rough-and-tumble New Jersey childhood and the youthful inspiration that sparked his astounding career, and as he makes clear his belief that Mars will be the next, ultimately challenging step in American spaceflight.  A natural storyteller and modern-day hero, Kelly has a message of hope for the future that will inspire for generations to come.  Here, in his personal story, we see the triumph of the human imagination, the strength of the human will, and the boundless wonder of the galaxy."  --from the publisher

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It hooked me from the beginning with the easy, natural voice of Mr. Kelly.  And what a story!  Kelly is truly an "everyman" who made the effort (and had the talent) to achieve his goal.  His humility and gratitude are remarkable.

No comments:

Post a Comment