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 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.

1st person that can't be beat, and performed well

Mike Collins takes us along for the ride from daily life at NASA in the heady early days of manned spaceflight through his iconic Gemini 10 and historic Apollo 11 achievements and shares his unique perspective. I wish I'd found this book years ago, but it has lost no impact over time.

Wow!

This was an absolutely fantastic journey as Michael Collins leads you through his aeronautic and astronautic careers. His language is casual, and the excitement (to those who have a pulse) can be found throughout every chapter, just as their extraterrestrial days were jam packed with activity.

I truly cannot express how much I enjoyed this! Whatever shall I read next?

Perhaps the Best Astronaut autobiography?

Michael Collins, science nerd, and famed astronaut writes his magnificent story with humor and insight. The narrator sadly turned him into a sarcastic person which doesn't seem consistent with the man or the tone of the book. Odd. Still highly, highly recommended.

one of the all-time best astronaut stories!

funny, informative, very detailed. felt like i was there with collins and crew. i've read many accounts of the apollo program and this is just outstanding.

amazing

On my 30+ year books on tape person. This is one of the best books I ever listen to Michael Collins is an amazing gift writer this is not to be missed I could not put this down read like a novel

Very interesting, well written and well read book

I really enjoyed listening to Michael Colin's book. From the forward to the end, it successfully achieved the goal to present Mike's experiences and an insight into what Mike achieved and a detailed look at what it took to get you the moon and back.

Mark Twain goes to the Moon

Mr. Collin’s wordsmiths his recollections with the humor and skills of a modern day Samual Clemmons. The difference is that Collin’s really was Huck Finn. This story of the first journey to the Moon seems in the style I would expect from the master story teller himself if Twain had been on Apollo 11.

Informative Read

If the Apollo 11 mission is a topic that interests you, give this book a shot. Collins does a great job of walking through the whole process from being selected, training, and finally the mission itself.

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.