Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story [Paperback]

Michael Collins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1994 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Astronaut Michael Collins adds a revised chapter to the extraordinary story of his training and participation in the Gemini 10 and Apollo 11 flights.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Several astronauts have written about their experiences, but none so well as Michael Collins. . .This is just the book to give the child whose parents made Yeager and The Right Stuff best sellers." --The Washington Post Book World

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 2 edition (April 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374423563
• ISBN-13: 978-0374423568
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #318,129 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Astronomy & Space > Aeronautics & Space
  • #62 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > United States > 1900s
  • #76 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Astronomy & Space > Astronomy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Children's Version of a Classic Astronaut Autobiography, June 21, 2002

By 

John R. Keller (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story (Paperback)

Michael Collins was a NASA astronaut from 1963-1970. During that time he flew on two missions: Gemini 10 and Apollo 11. These two missions, along with his training and military career are described in great detail in his earlier book "Carrying the Fire" which is geared for an older audience. This book is essentially same as "Carrying the Fire", but written with a younger audience in mind. However, I feel that many adults would like this book as well. You can't beat the price either, 4.95$ for any book is a great bargin

The book opens with Collins describing the day of the first moon landing and then he begins to reflect on all the events that led him to be on Apollo 11 that day. The first few chapters of the book describe his earlier fascination with aircraft that ultimately led him to join the US Air Force. After an interesting and exciting career in the Air Force, which included being a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base, he is chosen to be an astronaut in the third group selected. After years of training he eventually lift offs on his first flight in Gemini 10 with John Young. After more training and a nearly career-ending neck operation, he flies on Apollo 11.

Through out this book, the author describes his feelings and experiences about being an astronaut, what it's like to fly in space, what he did, what he saw and all the numerous sacrifices he and his family made so that he could be an astronaut. His experience of being alone while orbiting the moon is exhilarating. All this done in a very non-technical and jargon free way.

One final thing to add, this book won several Outstanding Book of Year Awards.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Round trip of course, October 23, 2007

By 

Dsinned (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story (Paperback)

Probably the only thing better than "Flying to the Moon" is the return trip home. Michael Collins was the Command Module Pilot on the historic first Moon landing mission, Apollo 11. That glorious spaceflight will forever be embedded in my mind and a fascinating history lesson for those not yet born in July of 1969. The author tells a GREAT story and Educators can be grateful to Mr. Collins for writing this book for the younger set. It should be a required reading in grade school History.

I also read Michael Collins earlier book titled "Chariots of Fire" which recounts his career in far greater detail as an Air Force test pilot and his training as a NASA astronaut during the two man Gemini and subsequent Apollo trio manned spaceflights.

His first mission was on Gemini 10 and later selected to be on Apollo 8, the first flight to circumnavigate the Moon on Christmas of 1968. Due to a pinched nerve in his spinal cord he was replaced on that flight by Jim Lovell of the now infamous, Apollo 13 Moon flight.

Of course, he fully recovered from what could have prematurely ended his NASA career. Seven months after the wonderously successful flight of Apollo 8, he flew on the even more successful and most memorable Apollo 11. I think he must be very happy with how things turned out. On Apollo 11, Michael Collins became the first person to ever orbit the Moon by himself, completely alone. I can only begin to image what an absolute thrill that must have been. Nevertheless, as he writes in both his books, he was geniunely more concerned with the safe return of his crew mates, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, after making the first ever landing on the Moon.

Sadly, all of the Apollo astronauts are getting on in years - all are well into their late 70 and early 80s and several have already left us. Most have written their own books to share their experiences for all of us to better remember those long ago, buty still thrilling events. We can all be justly proud of their personal sacrifices, professional committment and outstanding achievements in pioneering manned spaceflight. BRAVO!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars An Inspiration, November 26, 2011

By 

Anna Keibler (Milltown, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story (Paperback)

I read this book for the first time in 5th grade, and it inspired me to follow my dream career of becoming an astronaut (which is currently a work in progress, haha). It can be a hard read for children, at first, but I can still remember the book's vivid description of take-off... still sends chills down my spine. I would definitely encourage any child or adult interested in space/astronomy to read this book.