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heathercottledillon's review against another edition
5.0
Admittedly, I might not be the best person to evaluate the quality of this book because I was already such a big fan of Chris Hadfield. He would have had to have written something pretty awful for me not to enjoy it. That said, this is a book I recommend to pretty much everyone, whether they have any previous interest in space exploration or not.
Chris does a stellar (sorry, couldn't help it) job of telling fascinating stories about his experiences while applying what he's learned to everyday life. He shares his belief that anyone can achieve their dreams with an incredible amount of hard work, support...and luck. I like the way he acknowledges that countless things out of his control contributed his success. His plan was to do everything he possibly could to become an astronaut, and then if fate gave him a chance to succeed he would be ready. If it didn't, he could be at peace knowing that he had done all he could and had prepared himself to do other work in the field of aviation or space exploration. Having that attitude kept him humble and down-to-earth (again, sorry, I'm out of control) because it reminded him that more than just his skills, intelligence, and work ethic got him where he was.
Also, I was inspired by Chris' reverence for the little things. His advice is to sweat the small stuff because details make all the difference in his line of work as well as many aspects of "regular" life. Part of that is appreciating the small things, as Chris seems to do in every part of his life.
On top of all the inspiration, this book is simply entertaining. Chris describes what day to day life is like on the International Space Station and that's just really cool. He does a good job of explaining the work they're doing up there without getting too in depth for the layperson to understand. Bottom line: I think you should read this book. Or at least watch some of Chris Hadfield's videos on youtube.
Chris does a stellar (sorry, couldn't help it) job of telling fascinating stories about his experiences while applying what he's learned to everyday life. He shares his belief that anyone can achieve their dreams with an incredible amount of hard work, support...and luck. I like the way he acknowledges that countless things out of his control contributed his success. His plan was to do everything he possibly could to become an astronaut, and then if fate gave him a chance to succeed he would be ready. If it didn't, he could be at peace knowing that he had done all he could and had prepared himself to do other work in the field of aviation or space exploration. Having that attitude kept him humble and down-to-earth (again, sorry, I'm out of control) because it reminded him that more than just his skills, intelligence, and work ethic got him where he was.
Also, I was inspired by Chris' reverence for the little things. His advice is to sweat the small stuff because details make all the difference in his line of work as well as many aspects of "regular" life. Part of that is appreciating the small things, as Chris seems to do in every part of his life.
On top of all the inspiration, this book is simply entertaining. Chris describes what day to day life is like on the International Space Station and that's just really cool. He does a good job of explaining the work they're doing up there without getting too in depth for the layperson to understand. Bottom line: I think you should read this book. Or at least watch some of Chris Hadfield's videos on youtube.
jackusgomux's review against another edition
5.0
An exceptional book. It is very inspiring, motivational and humbling to see Col. Chris Hadfield's super humble philosophy, especially considering his level of success.
Your dream is most likely impossible, but you should still take the decisions that will bring you closer to it, but still make sure you enjoy the journey and are not miserable as you will most likely not accomplish it. Sweat the small stuff. Aim to be a zero so that you can be a plus one. All things that I am going to integrate in my life from now on.
Your dream is most likely impossible, but you should still take the decisions that will bring you closer to it, but still make sure you enjoy the journey and are not miserable as you will most likely not accomplish it. Sweat the small stuff. Aim to be a zero so that you can be a plus one. All things that I am going to integrate in my life from now on.
nivek1385's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
wolf_midnight_11's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book is amazing! And changed my perspective on my own life completely!
cptnstphy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Really neat book, very enjoyable with his sense of humour and amazing experiences. Indeed you can learn a lot about many facets of life on earth from his career.
katdfleming's review against another edition
4.0
Incredible story. I learned so much about life before, during, and after space. Highly recommend!
chelseatm's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this would be a biography of Chris Hadfield's life but instead it's a wonderfully organised, concise collection of life skills. I found it especially helpful because at this point in my life I am at a very big transition so all of his advice about perspective, stress, and planning were very enlightening.
My favourite piece of advice was 'aim to be a zero.' it's basically his idea that you're either entering a new situation as a minus one (you are taking something from the room), a zero (neutral), or a plus one (you're adding something to the room). Obviously everyone wants to be a plus one and they want that known. I know I was like that we I started practicum. I wanted everyone to know right away that I could be valuable. Hadfield's thinking, though, is that by entering the room acting like a plus one, you're actually becoming a minus one because you're losing that humility and focusing more on people knowing how important you are. Thus aim to be a zero. Just focus on contributing and eventually people will see you as a plus one but a genuine one
My favourite piece of advice was 'aim to be a zero.' it's basically his idea that you're either entering a new situation as a minus one (you are taking something from the room), a zero (neutral), or a plus one (you're adding something to the room). Obviously everyone wants to be a plus one and they want that known. I know I was like that we I started practicum. I wanted everyone to know right away that I could be valuable. Hadfield's thinking, though, is that by entering the room acting like a plus one, you're actually becoming a minus one because you're losing that humility and focusing more on people knowing how important you are. Thus aim to be a zero. Just focus on contributing and eventually people will see you as a plus one but a genuine one
midici's review against another edition
4.0
This book was an interesting, in-depth look at the space program, the everyday life of an astronaut, and about how a good attitude and a willingness to work long and hard will make the difference every time.
I don't know anyone who doesn't think space is cool in some sort of vague, what-the-heck-is-even-up-there-anyway contemplation. But this book provides a realistic look at what it means to spend your entire life aiming to improve humanity's overall mission of space exploration, and maybe have a slight chance of getting to go up into space yourself.
Chris Hadfield became very popular on social media because, as he puts it, "my son had some spare time." I follow his twitter feed, and geeked out over his videos from the ISS just like millions of other people. Reading this book felt like getting a behind the scene look at what really goes on in space agencies, and it was every bit as interesting as those videos and tweets.
The lessons he chooses to impart throughout this book is about how the way you choose to live your life is every bit as important, if not more important, than the Big Events. Going up to space is exciting - but not possible without being willing to do the hard work that makes the space agency possible and without accepting that you may never get your chance. And that lesson can work for a lot of different life events.
I don't know anyone who doesn't think space is cool in some sort of vague, what-the-heck-is-even-up-there-anyway contemplation. But this book provides a realistic look at what it means to spend your entire life aiming to improve humanity's overall mission of space exploration, and maybe have a slight chance of getting to go up into space yourself.
Chris Hadfield became very popular on social media because, as he puts it, "my son had some spare time." I follow his twitter feed, and geeked out over his videos from the ISS just like millions of other people. Reading this book felt like getting a behind the scene look at what really goes on in space agencies, and it was every bit as interesting as those videos and tweets.
The lessons he chooses to impart throughout this book is about how the way you choose to live your life is every bit as important, if not more important, than the Big Events. Going up to space is exciting - but not possible without being willing to do the hard work that makes the space agency possible and without accepting that you may never get your chance. And that lesson can work for a lot of different life events.