One of the most enjoyable books I have read (listened to!) for some time

There are very few occasions when I can truthfully say that I felt sad that I had come to the end of a book. Of course, at the end of most books, I can say, Yes, I enjoyed that or No, that was awful, but rarely that I am sad that it was finished.
Mike Collins writes in an easy and amusing style; a style that isn’t too American for the British ear and the tale he tells remains incredible, even 60 years on. My childhood was in the late 60s/early 70s and I can remember then being aware of Apollo and watching the Moon landings on TV. In my adult life I have been fascinated by Apollo and have read lots of books on the subject. However, for some reason, Mike Collins’ account seemed more relatable than most. By his own account, his place on the Apollo 11 crew was as much down to good fortune as it was to skill, experience or training. He was in the right place at the right time. He always seems to be quite humble about his abilities, which are undoubtedly significant. As such, he comes across as more of an ‘Everyman’ than many of the other Apollo astronauts, and as a lover of adventure myself, whether reading about it, or doing stuff out in the mountains, that means I could easily superimpose myself into that seat in the Apollo spacecraft.
The thing is, we now live in a time when space exploration is no longer considered to be special; it’s just not an adventure anymore. The astronauts of the 60s and 70s were special, even if many later proved just how fallible and human they really were. They were pioneers embarking on the ultimate adventure, achieved in a pre-digital time. Mike Collins’ account of that adventure is thrilling and that is what I found so enjoyable. Apollo 11 achieved Kennedy’s vision of landing a man on the Moon and bringing him safely back again. Of course, the Apollo program continued afterwards and thence onto other space missions. However, the end of Mike Collins’ story still felt like a full-stop which for many in the USA it was. Land on the Moon - Done that - Move on.
But I didn’t want it to stop! Like any good adventure, I wanted it to go on and that finality left me feeling sad. Sad that it was over, but happy that it had happened.
If you are an intrepid explorer or merely an armchair adventurer I am certain you will enjoy this book.

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Utterly Superb!

Brilliant read / listen form start to finish.

At times incredibly personal, always honest, this is easily the best account of the Apollo (and naturally 11 in particular) that I have ever read.

At times the 1970s gender role comments sound out of place in 2019 but it was written in a different time.

A must-read account of ridiculous bravery and invention. Collins strikes me as a genuinely nice bloke!!

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8 people found this helpful

Outstanding

This had me hooked from the beginning. I found this ticked all the boxes. It has so much content . For me this one S the only book you will ever need to read , humble to the last and always with integrity. Outstanding.

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3 people found this helpful

Totally absorbing

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this, brilliantly giving an insight to an astronaut’s life from Gemini to the Moon landing and life after. Michael Collins eloquently describes the highs and lows of the punishing training and pressure put on him and Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to succeed in their mission to the moon to be a success. I will listen to this again, there is so much to absorb, despite the readers rather monotone voice!

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fascinating insight

if you have any interest in the race to the moon, this is a must read. Always fascinated by Michael Collins story and why he never actually when to the moon, great insight

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Another Triumph

Taking you inside the mind of one of the historic three that went to the moon in July 1969. No major love lost between the three came out of this book... But an understanding of what they were doing and how to get it done. Great listening.

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Well written and very impressive

Michael Collins is an excellent author and provides an impressive insight on his life and NASA career. His account of Gemini 10 and Apollo 11 provide details that can only be explained by someone who lived through them...

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A classic

Excellent narration and, of course, one of the greatest stories of all time. Covers all the important bits of the space program.

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the inside story of a remarkable achievement

I was 11 when the first moon landing occurred so it's fascinating to learn of the training and hard work that was necessary to make it possible. humorous and informative I found the book very enjoyable

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Moonstruck and Spellbinding

The story of the early Apollo missions through the eyes of Me Charl Collins. An astonishing achievement and hard to believe that it happened 50 years ago

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2 people found this helpful