Ad Astra: An Illustrated Guide to Leaving the Planet cover art

Ad Astra: An Illustrated Guide to Leaving the Planet

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Ad Astra: An Illustrated Guide to Leaving the Planet

By: Dallas Campbell
Narrated by: Dallas Campbell
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About this listen

 'I could have done with a copy of Ad Astra in December 2015!' – Tim Peake
‘A wonderful, wise and witty guide for space explorers everywhere.' – Richard Osman
‘A must read both for intrepid space explorers and misty-eyed dreamers. Now, to space!’ – Hannah Fry
‘Few people are more knowledgeable, celebratory and witty about space travel than Dallas Campbell.’ – Adam Rutherford

Need some space?

For almost all human history we’ve been firmly rooted to the Earth. And, sure, it's got some good things going for it: nice views, friendly inhabitants, good coffee. Air. But what if you want to get off?

Whether you've got itchy feet and need a bit of a break, or you’re looking for a complete change of scene, this book has all the information you'll need to leave, with FREE expert advice from the men and woman who can actually make it happen.

Do I need a passport? How do I know if I have the right stuff? Can I take my dog? What spacesuit do I need? Where am I going to go? What am I going to eat?

As well as being a deeply impractical guide to getting off the planet, this is an eclectic and beautifully illustrated mix-tape of space travel stories – both real and imagined. From the migrating lunar geese that flew us to the moon in the 1600’s, to Elon Musk’s wild plan to get humans to Mars en masse in the future; from the history of early rocket science to the Soviet tortoises that secretly won the space race.

A collection for anyone who has looked up in wonder at the stars... And then wondered how to get there.

‘The next best thing to actually heading off into space.’ – Jim Al-Khalili
‘Few people are more knowledgeable, celebratory and witty about space travel than Dallas Campbell.’ – Adam Rutherford
‘If, like me, you dream of going into space, this is definitely the place to start the journey.’ – Dan Snow
‘A must have volume for astronauts and armchair astronauts alike.’ – Helen Sharman OBE
‘Funny, factual and beautiful.’ – Shaun Keavney
‘Read it, make notes, and be ready when the day comes.’ – Helen Czerski©2017 Dallas Campbell (P)2017 Simon & Schuster UK Physics Science Solar System Astronomy Interstellar Mars

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Critic reviews

‘A wonderful, wise and witty guide for space explorers everywhere’ (Richard Osman)
‘A must read both for intrepid space explorers and misty-eyed dreamers. Now, to space!’ (Hannah Fry)
‘Few people are more knowledgeable, celebratory and witty about space travel than Dallas Campbell’ (Adam Rutherford)
‘The next best thing to actually heading off into space’ (Jim Al-Khalili)
All stars
Most relevant  
Really liked it. I love the History of all the Space explorations. There were facts in this book I didn't know and loved it. Definitely a good listen for any similar Space buffs.

Very Good.

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The narrative is quite good and the author obviously a space buff, but I found it to be quite childish. Still worth a listen though

A bi childish

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For me this seemed more like an extended space related podcast. I heard Dallas talking about the book on a Naked Scientist's podcast and I suspect a large part of it's intended appeal are the photos which he spent a great deal of time finding and then getting permission to print. Sadly of course this effort is lost in an audio book and you just have the supporting narrative.

Never the less, this was an easy and enjoyable listen on the commute, although I did know most of the facts already. A big plus was actually having Dallas read it, which I think always makes an audio book more enjoyable when you are familiar with the author.

An Easy Listen

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Whether you are an avid space fanatic or have never given the realms up above a lofty 1st thought this fascinating book will inform educate delight and inspire you to explore the frontiers of the
explored and unexplored with the searing curiosity of a young child. The total depth and comprehensive collection of dates facts and statistics even recipes..(yes recipes for astronauts nourishment and survival) of man's so far foray into space beginning in the 1950's is just phenomenal. This book is an unsurpassed logging of the history, successes failures and crucially lessons learned of space exploration imminent future intrepidation and the mammouth effects on humankind our planet and its increasingly precarious future as well as an entertaining quirky take on what it could be like for space travellers to one day in the not too far away future airlessly weightlessly Moonwalk...Definitely a commendable more than worthy read and re-read given the research charts illustrations and photographs included to set the story in the astro landscape wrapped up in the riveting sheer enthusiasm that the writer has infused to instil the curious reader to venture into the galaxies and beyond. It a superlative reference book to enthral the young, old, experts and novices alike. The audio version is as compelling if not more so, as it includes more comprehensive interviews with astronautical scientists engineers and of course an astronaut!! A must for all space geeks...Richard Branson are you taking note!! If not the writer should make him do so!! Tin Tin himself would definitely have liked a copy of this book in his suitcase for his and Snowy's daring adventures into Space!!

Guiding Light for all Prospective Space Cadets

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What a fabulous combination of humorous anecdotes and jaw dropping wonder

Did you know that a tortoise had been sent to the moon? Me neither

Get this book, then just sit and have your mind blown... glorious

Awe Inspiring

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