Carrying the Fire

An Astronaut's Journeys

By: Michael Collins, Charles A. Lindbergh - foreword

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 20 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

In Carrying the Fire, Michael Collins conveys, in a very personal way, the drama, beauty, and humor of the adventure of reaching the moon. He also traces his development from his first flight experiences in the air force, through his days as a test pilot, to his Apollo 11 spacewalk, presenting an evocative description of the joys of flight as well as a new perspective on time, light, and movement from someone who has seen the fragile Earth from the other side of the moon.

©1974 Michael Collins; foreword copyright 1974 by Charles A. Lindbergh; Preface to the 2009 edition copyright 2009 by Michael Collins (P)2017 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Collins tells what his space journeys meant to him as a human being [and] discusses the role of man amid the multitudinous mechanical marvels.... Profoundly affecting." ( The New Yorker)

One of the Best Astro books

I have probably read thirty astronaut bios/autobios. Carrying the Fire may be the best ever written. Audible 20 Review Sweepstakes Entry

Great Book for Apollo Fans

Michael Collins is not only a great pilot and astronaut, he is a great writer. His autobiography of his life through his Gemini and Apollo flights (and shortly thereafter) is informative, frank, and often pretty funny. It is really great to hear what happened from the seat of the pants point of view.

His experience on Apollo was pretty unique, because he was left alone in orbit while Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the moon and explored it for the first time. Collins' anxiety about his colleagues is palpable, even when written after the accomplishment. From the perspective of many years, I think many of us take the Apollo achievements for granted. Collins makes clear just how uncertain success was.

I also enjoyed his description of his decision to leave NASA. He is clearly a very talented guy who could succeed at any number of occupations (which, in the end, he did).

Great book.

The narration is good, but not great.

Such a Beautiful Book by a Beautiful Human Being

This book is a great source of information and delightful trivia about the first Moon manned exploration mission, it's preparation, and the life of one of the worldly renowned trio that accomplished it, its author, Apollo 11's Columbia Command Module Pilot, Astronaut Michael Collins.

I've already read/listened to several books on the United States' Space Program, all very good reads indeed, and I find it very hard to rate them in order of preference, but I must say that Mile Collins has a great talent as a writer, and Carrying the Fire truly is a masterpiece of this genre and subject.

I loved listening to it, from start to end.

Not a boring moment

I was a little skeptical about the narrator but decided to risk it because of the content. The narrator grew on me though and I enjoyed the performance. And Michael Collins is a fun, down to earth author. It was nice getting to know him through this book.

Bravo!

By far the best astronauts account of what it was like. I've read dozens of astronauts biography, but Mike Collins was outstanding.

Will be required reading material for future school children

You may have heard that Michael Collins’ narrative of his life in the Air Force and in the space program is the “best book written by any of the astronauts.” That claim is undoubted correct. In fact, in terms of writing prose and skill only Tom Wolfe’s masterpiece “The Right Stuff” challenges this work. Wolfe was a legendary writer, but he couldn’t describe what it is truly like to leave the planet. Collins could. Collin’s gives a first hand account without the use of ghost writers. He is incredibly intelligent and wise. General Collins reveals his deepest personal thoughts and recounts the monumental technical challenges that were overcome in the Gemini and Apollo programs. His first hand account of space travel is enthralling and is a great read. The narrator does a great job of duplicating the humor and the wit of General Collins. Magnificent book from one of the greatest men to ever live.

Straight From The Horse's Mouth

This book is awesome as it provides the nitty gritty of space flight and the early space program from Mike Collins, an Apollo 11 and Gemini 10 astronaut. His observations and level of detail, even quite technical at times, are breath-taking. You feel like you’re in the cockpit with him, Neil and Buzz.

Easily one of the best Apollo era books I've read.

The detail put into this book is wonderful. I wad really able to transport myself mentally into the book and feel like a part of it. The writing is very nice and the narration is excellent.

One of the best astronaut memoirs

Probably my favorite history from NASA's astronaut class, beginning with Air Force, through test pilot training, astronaut acceptance, Gemini 10, how he was removed from Apollo 8, and moved to Apollo 11. Told with detail and humor. A great listen.

Great personal historical context

A refreshing first person narrative of the monumental and historical, technically amazing undertaking, that was the early space program. Collins tells his his story with a unique mix of technical detail, historical perspective, editorial opinion and personal observation. A great read written by an exceptional American.