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An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth



Chris was 9-year-old on July 20, 1969, the night when a man stepped onto the surface of the moon. The little boy that was Chris back then was in awe in front of his television screen and decided that he wanted to be an astronaut when he grew up, despite all odds being against him. He trained and studied hard for years, just in case the day came where he could be chosen to go to space. As part of this training, he learned how to fly regular planes and pursued a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in university so as to learn as much as possible with respect to how things work. He then went on to learn how to fly fighters, then CF-5s, then CF-18s, then attended a French pilot school, and was thereafter selected to attend the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in Maryland - the latter which is directly related to the NASA and where he was the top graduate. He also went on to learn how to fly F18s at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland. It is in 1991, however, that Chris' dream finally came true: the Canadian Space Agency posted an ad in a newspaper, wanting astronauts; his years of preparation were finally paying off. Chris applied and after numerous - and strenuous - interviews in Washington, D.C., Toronto and Ottawa, Canada, and having to wait for several weeks, Chris received one afternoon the telephone call that would change the course of his life: he had been chosen to become an astronaut.
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His first launch took place in 1995 on Space Shuttle Atlantis. Over the years, Chris got married and did go back to space several times, in addition to undertaking further required training as part of his new role. He also held numerous positions as the years went by such as serving on committees, holding the position of Chief of International Space Station Operations in Houston, and working as a Chief at the Mission Control Centre at the Johnson Space Centre, also in Houston and the latter which enabled him to work on numerous Shuttle flights. He furthermore worked as NASA's Director of Operations in Russia and as Chief of Robotics for the NASA Astronaut Office in Houston.

Throughout the book, Chris takes the reader on his journey - from childhood to adulthood. Every step of the way, Chris explains the realities of his job - the lack of sleep, the stress, the danger, his fears, the time spent away from his family; how he feels when a Shuttle is about to launch and when one is into space; and the type of training, and exercising, that is truly involved.
Best part of story, including ending: Every step of the way, Chris applies lessons learned throughout his life in everybody's life.

Best scene in story: The very first time Chris went to space and felt like the 9-year-old boy in him had finally reached his dream. It is at this moment that Chris realized the power of believing in oneself and in the impossible, which can become possible.

Opinion about the main character: Incredibly honest with respect to his hopes and fears, and down-to-earth, despite the fact that he won numerous awards and became a public figure.

The review of this Book prepared by Mary G. a Level 4 Yellow-Headed Blackbird scholar

Chapter Analysis of An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

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Plot & Themes

job/profession:    -   astronaut Job/profession/poverty story    -   Yes Period of greatest activity?    -   1950+

Subject of Biography

Gender    -   Male Ethnicity    -   White Nationality    -   Canadian

Setting

How much descriptions of surroundings?    -   10 () Century:    -   1980's-Present

Writing Style

Book makes you feel?    -   encouraged Pictures/Illustrations?    -   More than 15 in color How much dialogue in bio?    -   little dialog How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life?    -   76%-100% of book

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Chris Hadfield Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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