Spaceman

An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe

By: Mike Massimino

Narrated by: Mike Massimino

Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to find yourself strapped to a giant rocket that's about to go from zero to 17,500 miles per hour? Or to look back on Earth from outer space and see the surprisingly precise line between day and night? Or to stand in front of the Hubble Space Telescope, wondering if the emergency repair you're about to make will inadvertently ruin humankind's chance to unlock the universe's secrets? Mike Massimino has been there, and in Spaceman he puts you inside the suit, with all the zip and buoyancy of life in microgravity.

Massimino's childhood space dreams were born the day Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. Growing up in a working-class Long Island family, he catapulted himself to Columbia and then MIT, only to flunk his first doctoral exam and be rejected three times by NASA before making it through the final round of astronaut selection. Taking us through the surreal wonder and beauty of his first spacewalk, the tragedy of losing friends in the Columbia shuttle accident, and the development of his enduring love for the Hubble Telescope - which he and his fellow astronauts were tasked with saving on his final mission - Massimino has written an ode to never giving up and the power of teamwork to make anything possible. Spaceman invites us into a rare, wonderful world where science meets the most thrilling adventure, revealing just what having "the right stuff" really means.

©2016 Michael J. Massimino (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Drive, determination, and desire are the enduring qualities that are reflected throughout this audiobook, narrated by its author, former astronaut Mike Massimino… His joy is contagious, and his accomplishments are incredible. Everyone, not just science geeks, will enjoy this production. " ( AudioFile)

Likable guy, great storyteller

Normally nonfiction books don't keep me listening late into the night, repeatedly adding "just 15 more minutes" to the sleep timer for hours. This one did. Mike describes his path from being a boy on Long Island playing in a homemade astronaut costume through the series of choices, challenges, and lucky breaks that culminated in his two spacewalks to perform maintenance on the Hubble telescope. His story is by turns moving and thoughtful and funny and suspenseful.

Mike did a fantastic job with the narration; his humor and humility shone through the whole time.

I don't normally write reviews and fear I haven't done this book justice, but I'm pretty much going to be encouraging everyone I know to read or listen to it, so why not start here?

the most amazing, inspiring book I've ever read

this has to be one if not "THE" most amazing, inspiring book I've ever read in my life. half way through it I put it down and called my university to set up a start date to go back to school and finish my degree. it is so easy to find and excuse to just give up but that's all it is, just a whole bunch of excuses, hearing Mike talk about how an average person much like us "normal people" not geniuses with the perfect health or wealthy family can overcome every obstacle and full feel his dream makes you stop and rethink your self and say hey its time act, it's time stop "just making it by" it's time to get up and start pushing forward, this is the feeling I got when I read this book.

hope to some day I get to meet him and thank him in person for giving me the push I needed, that ray of hope that I lost so many years ago, or to put it in his terms, that kindle that light my dreams once more.

Thank you Mass.

Engrossing Memoir

As a child Massimino was fascinated and preoccupied with space exploration. He gathered information about his heroes, Buzz Aldrin, John Glenn and Neil Armstrong. He wanted to grow up and be an astronaut. Massimino graduated from Columbia and MIT with an engineering degree and then he went to work for NASA.

Massimino tells in detail about his life as an astronaut and the various missions he was on. I was most interested in the work he did to correct the problem with the Hubble Telescope. He goes into detail about what life in space was like and all the problems he and other astronauts had to overcome. Massimino had obstacles he had to overcome to achieve his goal and how he went about overcoming them is inspiring.

The book is well written in an affable, conversational style prose. It is great to read about someone achieving their childhood dream. I also found the fact he maintained an unwavering obsession with space all his life absolutely great. The book has humor and is easy to read. It leaves the reader with an upbeat feeling. This is a good book for a young person to read, who is trying to decide on a career choice. Now there is a choice of not only NASA but dozens of private corporations all working in space exploration.

Mike Massimino did a good job narrating his own book.

Truly inspiring!

I was born and raised on Long Island not far from where "Mass" is from. I am a lifelong NASA fan, Amateur Astronomer and space exploration enthusiast.

Listen to/read this book. Mass tells it like it is; like a real guy from Long Island. He really gives you an amazing perspective about just what it means to strive for and to become an Astronaut.

Bravo! Mass!!!!

This book is Out of this World!!

Would you listen to Spaceman again? Why?

This book is captivating - especially if you love NASA's space program. Mike Massimino has a special talent and passion for bringing us along on his historic journeys - both on earth and in space.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Spaceman?

Mike's drive to overcome all hurdles to become one of America's most memorable astronauts.

What about Mike Massimino’s performance did you like?

Mike Massimino's patriotism and passion for following in the footsteps of some of America's greatest heroes is clearly articulated by this amazing storyteller.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Taking passion and perseverance out of this world.

Any additional comments?

I would give almost everything to meet and / or get an autographed picture and book from this great American astronaut.

Good parts; too long

This astronaut memoir had many interesting parts, but it was too long and too repetitive. It is badly in need of editing. The author, Massimino, is a very likable guy, which makes it easier to tolerate the slower chapters. This book follows the author from childhood, where he dreamed of space, to his career as a Space Shuttle astronaut. If you have an interest on the space program, there are enough parts to hold your interest. This is read by the author. That was a mistake. He reads in a monotone, which is funny given he writes like an extremely enthusiastic guy.

Truly--A Man With The Right Stuff!

"Mass" as he was dubbed given his size, celebrates the 7-year old boy dreaming to the man he's become: open and optimistic about the future. "Spaceman" chronicles every hurdle, every opportunity taken along the way to becoming a top astronaut. From thinking he had the wrong major to battling qualifications about his eyesight, from struggling through a Shackleton-like endurance camp to the challenges of robotics, everything is covered. You want to know about the wonders of a spacewalk, about the glories of the Hubble telescope, here you go, all written in exciting prose and narrated by the man himself. And you feel like you're right there, in his shoes, experiencing it for yourself. Even the deathly silence after the Columbia disaster, the grief of the families and friends.
Definitely worth the time, worth the price.
You'll be flying in the science fiction space-monster, hurtling through space, viewing the Earth we live on far, far above.

Inspirational and fascinating

This is a wonderful biography that provides insight into Space travel and the people involved. Author as reader makes it even better.

Spacestory For Us Who Dreamed of Going

This book is terrific. It's emotional and allowed me to imagine what it would have been like to be an astronaut.

Fantastic!

Mass,

What an incredible journey! Thank you for sharing your story. You are a true inspiration!

Just ok I thought.

Mike is a great narrator, very passionate and engaging but I expected a bit more "Space" stories from Spaceman. It essentially only covers 2 trips that he made to the Hubble telescope, granted they were 2 great stories, but being a huge fan of all things space and NASA I guess I just wanted a bit more. Rated 3 out of 5 but without the narration that would be down to 2.

excellent

Thoroughly enjoyed this from beginning to end. A true story of hard work and perseverance, read be the man himself in the most humble way.

A bit dreary

Couldn't finish it. Mass, your voice got too dull and made it impossible to carry on. Some if it was way too technical and far too detailed for the average Joe. Had to cut it short.

Probably the best audiobook I have listened to

It doesn’t matter if you are into space or not but this book will grab your attention from the first second and never let it go. The story is great, the performance is outstanding and you can learn more about life, careers and determination than in most business books. Can’t recommend it enough.

So glad I bought this book.

There are funny moments and sad moments. This book is interesting and educational. Great mix of fact and shared emotion.

One of the best books I’ve listened to

So well written, mike does an amazing job of the narration. The story is really interesting and I can’t wait to see the future of space flight. Im now well and truly a space geek.

Simply wonderful

Whether or not you are into Space books I really urge you to listen to this. Yes it's about one person's dream of becoming an astronaut but it's about so much more too. Mike's narration is excellent. Read this, you won't be disappointed.

great bo,ok

really good insight into the space projects and the man himself
unlike some space books it's written for the listener and keep them entertained and interested the whole way through

A mesmerising story - beautifully told.

If you’ve ever looked up at the stars and moon as a kid and wished you could go there, Mike Massimino’s vivid story takes you there - twice.

Audio kept cutting out

love the story and love Mass. Audio was cutting out and missing the last seconds of his sentences.