An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

By: Chris Hadfield

Narrated by: Chris Hadfield

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth is an inspirational memoir of space exploration and hard-won wisdom, from an astronaut who has spent a lifetime making the impossible a reality.

Colonel Chris Hadfield has spent decades training as an astronaut and has logged nearly 4,000 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, been temporarily blinded while clinging to the exterior of an orbiting spacecraft, and become a YouTube sensation with his performance of David Bowie's ‘Space Oddity' in space. The secret to Chris Hadfield's success - and survival - is an unconventional philosophy he learned at NASA: prepare for the worst - and enjoy every moment of it.

In his book, An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, Chris Hadfield takes listeners 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 mesmerising 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 Colonel Hadfield. But his vivid and refreshing insights in this book will teach you how to think like an astronaut, and will change, completely, the way you view life on Earth - especially your own.

©2013 Chris Hadfield (P)2013 Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd

Authentic and excellent

What did you love best about An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth?

The authenticity of the narrative. The (mostly) gripping storylines. The useful, first-hand insight into the life of an astronaut. The very useful lessons from it.
What I really enjoyed, is that Chris Hadfield doesn't "preach" on what to do and what not. He doesn't give a 10-point self-improvement list of things to learn or do. He simply tells his story, and the perceptive reader can apply the lessons Chris had learned to his/her own situation, or not.
There are precious jewels hidden in Hadfield's story. Take this one example: "No situation is so bad that you cannot make it worse."

Who was your favorite character and why?

Chris Hadfield himself, of course. But then, his sons and wife seem to be worth getting to know better.

Which character – as performed by Chris Hadfield – was your favorite?

Chris Hadfield himself.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but I did recommend it to several friends and gave it as a gift to one friend.

Inspiring!

An amazing story from an inspiring human being, delightfully delivered by Chris Hadfield himself.

Square astronaut, round hole.
Thank you for sharing Chris!

Good thoughtof mingling experiences with others' and teachings derived from such withextension to everyday life

Would be nicer if he could have covered other, unmentioned aspects of a person's life, his spouse and family's life and the view from others who are not as .... as he is

"Aim to be a zero."

If you're new to Audible, start with this one.

I could listen to Colonel narrating for ages. If everyone aspired to be even 1% of what he is, world would be a better place!

Wow... Just wow 😀

Absolutely loved this book! I've always been fascinated by space and hearing stories from someone who's been there is just amazing. If Chris ever feels like telling more stories about his journey, I'm ready to listen.

got me to cry

got me to cry.
the book is pretty great with everything. i like it very much.
Chris is such a human. He totaly down to earth explains how he experienced everything.

Enjoyed it!

A wonderful book. Real guide to improve yourselves and to be a really good earthling.

Amazing story

I loved every minute of the read! A must read/hear for everyone who ever dreamt of becoming an astronaut or has big dreams in general.

Inspiring!

An inspiring story of great achievements, read by the author. I've listened to it twice and I think will give it another listen in a month or so.

Good book

Interesting book about the story of Chris Hadfield and his reflections on life. The book is well narrated. It gave an insight insight to the operations of NASA, as well as the mindset of successful astronauts.