Customer Reviews

High Calling: The Courageous Life and Faith of Space Shuttle Columbia Commander Rick Husband

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Evelyn did a great job explaining the home and family side of Rick Husband. Yes, she was proud of his accomplishments but also listed some of his faults which was refreshing. NASA is not easy on its men and women and Evelyn made that very clear while not blaming them for Rick's death, either. Rick's determination and his resolve were certainly tested but his faith and drive never faltered. All in all the book gives a well rounded view of life as an astronaut as told through the eyes of the one closest to him, his wife. I congratulate Evelyn for her brave tribute to Rick and his 6 very close friends who met death the same day and in the same manner. Thanks, Evelyn.

I can't think of a more touching way to share the legacy of a man than by sharing his personal story with the world. Evelyn Husband has done a wonderful job in telling her husband Rick's story, from his childhood dream of space exploration to his days training as an astronaut. With a wonderful blend of personal memories, recollections of friends, and passages from his journal, High Calling is truly a saga worth reading. If ever you doubted God's hand in everyday life, I know you'll feel differently after reading Rick Husband's life story.

Evelyn Husband writes about her husband's life and faith during a time when I would still be in bed, crying. Her ability to use humor as she tells about their life together is a testiment to the faith she professes in High Calling. The writing is simple, but the people she talks about (not just her husband) are anything but. I found it very comforting to find out, through her walk through of what led up to the launch of the Columbia, that the explosion wasn't just a random, freak accident, but an answer to the earnest prayers of two godly men. The life of Rick Husband is proof that you don't have to "look out for number 1" or "take care of yourself first" to achieve your dreams, as people today would have you believe. I think anyone, whether you love space or not, would find inspiration in Rick's story. Thank you, Evelyn.

The book showed how to live until the day you die and how not to let anything stand in the way of God's appointed purpose for your life. She explained that she may not understand God's plan for Rick's life, but that she is not bitter toward God because of the history of God's faithfulness, provision and grace. She makes you realize that Jesus knows our pain because of his pain of dying on the cross.
I loved this line regarding his commander abilities: Leadership is not only about what you do, but what you do next.
My favorite part of the book is the letter Kathie Scobee Fulgham, Dick Scobee's daughter from the Challenger disaster, sent the children of the Columbia victims. Beautiful, beautiful writing!

This book provides both an account of the Columbia breakup in February 2003 as well as Rick Husband's wife and childrens' reaction to the tragic loss of their husband and father. The book begins with the family expectantly waiting for Columbia to land, then sensing that something is wrong based on the behavior of the people near the landing site. We then learn of Rick's life, and how the family's faith in Jesus Christ had been so important in their lives. We also learn how Evelyn Husband had to tell her children that their father had tragically died.

As I opened the wrapping on Christmas morning I was pleased to receive such a gift from my wife, being the avid reader that I am. Two days later I started reading the book and could not put it down. I simply had to carry on reading because I felt so humbled by Rick Husband. I am a 41 year old and remember vividly when Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon back in 1969. Rick Husband, against massive odds, time and time again, pushed through and did it. He never let anything, except his love for God, his family and respect for his fellow man stand in the way.

I am not embarrased to say that I was in tears for most of the second half of the book. More than once I stopped only to reflect on my life and thank God for his mercy, love and grace in my life. I felt Evelyn's pain time and time again. My life will not be the same after reading this book. Thank you so much Evelyn for writing this book.

Evelyn Husband's book 'HIGH CALLING' is one of the most powerful books I have ever read, for despite the uniqueness and very public nature of the Space Shuttle 'Columbia' tragedy, it highlights the personal nature of sudden loss and grief which everyone who has experienced it knows. Whether by accident, loss of a loved one thru illness, or even a broken marriage by betrayel, the pain of sudden loss is often overwhelming, and Evelyn's testimony of faith shining thru as her achor is such an inspiration, having experienced personal tragedy in my own life. But as Evelyn Husband shares so openly, only her faith in Jesus Christ gave her the ability to cope in the face of such public mind numbing loss, that God truly is a present help in time of need for all those who will cry out to Him. Her book also higlights what really matters most in life; our relationships! For what does it profit anyone to rise to great success at the expense of one's family, and Evelyn's story of Rick getting his priorities right is such a profound challenge for any man wanting to get his life in right balance - God first,then family, and finally one's career; a timely challenge for many men to follow Rick's example. As for inspiration, Evelyn's declaration of Rick's belief in God as author of the cosmos is so refreshing in the face of so much scientific agnosticism and unbelief, and being an astronomy author myself who believes in God as Creator of the cosmos, Rick's own testimony about the magnificent splendour in God's creation is a welcome affirmation which warmed my heart. Although an account of awful tragedy, it is also an account of great hope, for Rick's journey of faith made him the person he was, a loving man, a loving father, and a man whose faith in Christ made his life such a blessing which shone thru in the way he lived and why he was loved by so many. I hope this inspiring story will bring hope to many lives touched by grief and wanting to find renewed hope and faith. Indeed, such has been the impact in my own life,I have given away seven copies of 'High Calling' to different people including ministers, doctors, pilots, friends and family, for no-one can read this book without being profoundly moved and inspired, especilly about asking the BIG questions about life and faith and God, and finding renewed hope beyond tragedy. This is the most inspiring story I have ever read - thankyou Evelyn. James Waterhouse, BRISBANE, Australia.

Three reasons to read Evelyn Husband's biography about Rick Husband:
1. Learn more about the final commander of the Space Shuttle Columbia.
2. This is a space story told from a spouse's point of view.
3. Witness Rick and Evelyn Husband's Christian faith.

I purchased this book to learn more about Rick Husband. I should have expected that the book would tell of the current space program from a spouse's perspective. Most importantly, she describes Rick's journey with Christ. In the telling, she witnesses for Christ, too.

There are no indictments against NASA in this book. The author bluntly states that she harbors no ill will towards NASA. She has faith that Rick Husband would not have remained in the program if he had any concerns of risk management at NASA.

Overall, "High Calling" is a faith story. The first half is tragic. Rick Husband's life is described while the reader knows how it will end. The last half is Evelyn Husband's testimony to being a widow of a national televised disaster. My heart ached as she described her family's life since 9:00 am Saturday, February 1, 2003. Thank goodness she has been granted some lighter moments. Her tale of using the President's handkerchief to wipe her son's nose brought a smile back to me.

Reviewer: CHARLES B VANCE from Kalamazoo, MI United States
Being a forty something male born in the era of sputnick, the life and dream of becoming an astronaut were mine as well. Rick Husband did more however than merely dream about being an astronaut, he did it!
His dream never "owned" him, he accomplished his lofty goal while keeping God and family in their proper order, as a matter of fact Rick Husband grew into a man of God during his voyage to fulfillment of that dream.
This book is the telling of that story through the eyes of his biggest fan, a loving and devoted wife, "Evey". I found the book to be a thrill to read, I simply "could not put it down".
Rick Husband truly answered a "Higher Calling".
Must read.....

This book makes you laugh; it makes you cry; and it makes you reflect. I could not put this book down! Evelyn Husband's faith and her love for her husband, Rick, was an inspiration to me. It's her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that got her through such a heartbreaking, devastating tragedy.

She described in such depth the details of there life and his death: She takes you inside her head and heart, however, she did leave out what it was that caused Rick so much grief early in their marriage, but that's okay.

Overall I thought it was a very good book and would recommend it to everyone.