First Man

The Life of Neil A. Armstrong

By: James R. Hansen

Narrated by: Jeremy Bobb

Length: 16 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Soon to be a major motion picture, this is the first - and only - definitive authorized account of Neil Armstrong, the man whose “one small step” changed history.

When Apollo 11 touched down on the Moon’s surface in 1969, the first man on the Moon became a legend. In First Man, author James R. Hansen explores the life of Neil Armstrong. Based on over 50 hours of interviews with the intensely private Armstrong, who also gave Hansen exclusive access to private documents and family sources, this "magnificent panorama of the second half of the American twentieth century" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) is an unparalleled biography of an American icon.

In this “compelling and nuanced portrait” (Chicago Tribune) filled with revelations, Hansen vividly recreates Armstrong’s career in flying, from his 78 combat missions as a naval aviator flying over North Korea to his formative trans-atmospheric flights in the rocket-powered X-15 to his piloting Gemini VIII to the first-ever docking in space. For a pilot who cared more about flying to the Moon than he did about walking on it, Hansen asserts, Armstrong’s storied vocation exacted a dear personal toll, paid in kind by his wife and children. For the near-50 years since the Moon landing, rumors have swirled around Armstrong concerning his dreams of space travel, his religious beliefs, and his private life.

A penetrating exploration of American hero worship, Hansen addresses the complex legacy of the First Man, as an astronaut and as an individual. “First Man burrows deep into Armstrong’s past and present.... What emerges is an earnest and brave man” (Houston Chronicle) who will forever be known as history’s most famous space traveler.

©2018 James R. Hansen (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

Astonishing True Tales

A grippingly astonishing story that both inspires and fills the listener with wonder. I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in space, history, or prolific figures.

Great story about a reluctant yet, true American Hero

Neil Armstrong, the name says it all for my generation and before...

I really enjoyed the story. The life and times of a reluctant and thus quiet hero of not just America, but the world...

Humble man

Great story about a childhood hero of mine. Captured the essence of Armstrong and his amazing life

Great Biography of A Great American

This was a wonderful way to experience James Hansen's epic biography of Neil A. Armstrong. I have read it three times. The preface and ending are perfect bookends to an American Life!

Awesome

I followed the progress of the space program throughout my childhood. There are numerous aviators in my family so hearing the details of Mr. Armstrong’s life & training was fascinating.

awesome

way more informative than the new "first man" movie. it makes me appreciate the man Neil Armstrong.

Reader’s incorrect pronunciation is annoying

This is a great look into the life of Neil Armstrong. I found the reader’s mispronunciation of space program terms and people’s names to be annoying and distracting.

Enjoyable

I enjoyed listening to this for the most part. I didn't really have a problem with the depth into family history, or engineering details as some others did, though I don't think they were completely wrong in their criticisms either. I guess for me, I've looked up to Neil Armstrong so long that I WANT every last detail about him and this book delivered many. The book has been reviewed by others, far better and more thoroughly than I am capable, so I'll sum it up with this: Admirers of Neil Armstrong and the Apollo program should enjoy this book, despite sections that "some" find boring.

Anyway, the only real problem I had with the audiobook itself was the way Jeremy Bobb pronounced the abbreviated form of lunar module, LM. I've watched dozens of documentaries, interviews, and movies about the Apollo program, and they all pronounce it like the first 3/5 of the word, "lemon." I don't recall any of the people involved with Apollo ever having said, "Ell Emm."

To the casual listener, this is probably not a problem, but it was used a lot in this book and was terribly distracting to me.

Inspiring!

I recommend this book to all for inspiration and lessons in life balance. Armstrong achieved so much by working well with others and working hard. What makes him a great person is his avoidance of self aggrandizement.
Actually you have to give what he did did of himself to make his achievements!

nothing like the movie

this book contained wonderful facts and information about the events of the life of Neil Armstrong. with about two hours left in the book my wife and I decided to watch the movie. I was completely surprised that the movie was a dramatization and did the book nearly no Justice at all. this book was fantastic. I would recommend reading the book and forgetting the movie all together.