Carrying the Fire

An Astronaut's Journeys

By: Michael Collins

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 20 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

In July 1969, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins piloted the Apollo 11 spacecraft to the moon. Fifty years later, it is still one of the greatest achievements in human history.

In this remarkable memoir, Michael Collins conveys, in a very personal way, the drama, beauty and humour of that adventure. He also traces his development from his first flight experiences in the air force, through his days as a test pilot, to his involvement in Project Gemini and his first spaceflight on Gemini 10. He presents an evocative picture of the famous Apollo 11 spacewalk, detailing the joys of flight and a new perspective on time, light, and movement from someone who has seen the fragile Earth from the other side of the moon.

Updated with a new preface to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon-landing, Carrying the Fire by Michael Collins is the utterly absorbing and truly compelling classic account of what it was like to be a member of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.

©2017 Tantor Media Inc., a division of Recorded Books (P)2019 Macmillan Digital Audio

Critic Reviews

"No other person who has flown in space has captured the experience so vividly." (New York Times Book Review)

Long but unique. A cult

Reasons to read :
1) story of one of the very biggest achievements of humanity
2) lots of anecdotes and insights on the early days of space exploration
3) very deep reflections on the meaning and purpose of space exploration for Collins and world at large

Second time around.

I first read this as a young 15 year old in 1975.
It made an impression on me then and has done so again in 2019.
A remarkable story of adventure grounded in the science and determination of getting man to walk on the surface of the moon.
It also goes into post moon landing and how the famous 3 led their lives in the wake of this world changing event.
I’ll be back for another read. I’ll probably not wait 44 years next time though.

Utterly Superb!

Brilliant read / listen form start to finish.

At times incredibly personal, always honest, this is easily the best account of the Apollo (and naturally 11 in particular) that I have ever read.

At times the 1970s gender role comments sound out of place in 2019 but it was written in a different time.

A must-read account of ridiculous bravery and invention. Collins strikes me as a genuinely nice bloke!!

Brilliant

I thought this book would be too long to hold my interest. I was wrong.

Moonstruck and Spellbinding

The story of the early Apollo missions through the eyes of Me Charl Collins. An astonishing achievement and hard to believe that it happened 50 years ago

Wow Wow Wow.

At last we have a book that’s enthusiastic about this truly historic achievement. It’s not boring by any means. The narration is excellent. Collins is overlooked by many , I don’t know why, their history upto this point is just as daring. I have read many books on space etc this is the best by far. I’m keeping this one.

Eloquent narration of first journey to the moon

Michael Collins was the most unassuming of the three astronauts that took that first journey that landed on the moon. And he remained in orbit while Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the surface. Yet Collins' is the most eloquent description, the most enjoyable, being poetic at times in its narration. His descriptions of the earth, the moon, the NASA programme, and the journey, are profound. Thank you, Mike Collins, for such a great story.

fascinating insight

if you have any interest in the race to the moon, this is a must read. Always fascinated by Michael Collins story and why he never actually when to the moon, great insight

Truly captivating

I have just finished this book today, and I have to say I am absolutely gutted that it’s over. I could have listened to this for 100+ hours with ease.

The book is written (and read) in a way that keeps you indulged from start to finish. The insight it provides to mankind’s greatest achievement is incredible, and I am absolutely certain that this will be an audiobook that I will listen to many more times throughout my life.

I would recommend this to anyone from any background, interest or level of technical knowledge. If you want to build up to, and take your own metaphorical trip to the moon, then this is the audiobook to take you there.

Beautifully read by Mr David Colacci.

Fantastic

I’ve read most of the books relating to the Apollo missions but this has been my favourite. Collins writes with honesty, genuine (not false) humility and wit. He has the ability to convey complicated technical aspects in a way the lay person can understand. Obviously society’s view of women has evolved in the last 50 years so you cannot criticise the occasional, slightly chauvinistic passage... In all other ways this book is practically perfect.

Gripping

Excellent narration of an epic story told with dry, engaging, wit. A tour de force.