A review by jackiijackii
Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon by Ken Abraham, Buzz Aldrin

3.0

For the most part, this book was really interesting. I loved reading about the moon landing and Aldrin's current endeavors in space exploration and tourism. It got a little dry (ironically) when he delved into his spiraling depression and alcoholism, and the writing was very repetitive. When I'm reading books written by people who aren't writers, I actually appreciate when the writing isn't great. That means that they're focusing on telling me their experience, that they actually lived, instead of flailing about in another craft. This book was like that, with the repetition and for some reason a lot of exclamation points. I think he could have cut out nearly 70 pages of repetition, tightened up what's left, and had an amazing, instead of just good, book.

The book never lost focus. It's the story of a man who just wants to serve his country in the best way he can. He's brilliant and creative, and doesn't succumb to popular opinions. It's only when he feels that his ideas aren't being taken seriously that he falls into depression, because when you're putting your soul into something you really believe in, and nobody wants to listen, it would put anyone into a funk.

As a side note, I read this for August's book club challenge, to read a book by someone who did a voice on The Simpsons, so I felt validated when he mentions being on The Simpsons.