Story: The Way of Water [Hardcover]

Anne Lenehan (Compiler)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0975228609 | ISBN-13: 978-0975228609 | Publication Date: August 2004 | Edition: 1St Edition

Story Musgrave has an insatiable passion for life. From his childhood on a dairy farm in western Massachusetts, to payload commander on the Hubble Space Telescope rescue mission, share Story’s incredible physical and spiritual journey as he relates to the world, and the universe, around him. Based on a thematic biographical style, this intimate portrait of one of the world’s greatest thinkers, explorers and aviators is revealed through the eyes of Story himself, his family, friends and colleagues. Story is an American hero, renaissance man and, arguably, NASA’s greatest unofficial spokesperson - certainly one of the few with real vision and authenticity. This book has wide appeal to a variety of audiences. It is a human journey which happens to take place largely within the framework of the space program, but also encompasses themes such as mechanics, flying, nature, spirituality and humanity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Author Anne Lenehan gets into the soul and other deepest reaches of this extraordinary man, giving us wondrous insight.." -- Colin Burgess, author of over a dozen books, including Teacher in Space: Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger Legacy

"He was always talking about the beauty of many things he saw... to me, that was him all the time." -- John Blaha, Shuttle and MIR astronaut

A long, diversion-packed biography about the life of a guy who happened to be an astronaut, among other things. -- Florida Today

An interesting, well-written book... Story Musgrave is a philosopher and poet looking for beauty and spirituality in his life. -- The Space Review

Anne Lenehan presents ... the emotions, philosophy and wishes of an over achiever and a very sensual, warm individual. -- Universe Today

I not only relive my life, I even get to know Story in ways that I had never experienced before. -- Story Musgrave

Nominated for the 2004 Eugene M. Emme Astronautical Literature Award -- American Astronautical Society

Told with detail, yet in a friendly, engrossing style of narration - as enjoyable to read as it is uplifting. -- Mid West Book Review

From the Author

I have had a lot of comments, emails and discussions with people who have read my biography of Story. I feel that I have succeeded in presenting the man as I came to know him - not just the doctor, the space physiologist, the pilot, the astronaut - but the poet, the philosopher, the artist. A lot of people that have met Story have been transformed in their own lives - and I am no exception. In many ways, documenting Story's journey became my own journey of self-discovery. It's about being involved in life, of getting the most out of life, of wanting to really participate in the whole process of existence.

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Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Communications Agency; 1St Edition edition (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975228609
• ISBN-13: 978-0975228609
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #915,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Outstanding Book about a Great Man!, February 26, 2005

By 

Rondi Werner (Glendale, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Story: The Way of Water (Hardcover)

"Story: The Way of Water" is not a typical astronaut book. It is a compelling, philosophical journey into the life and mind of one of America's most accomplished men. The reader travels a path that chronicles the challenges and triumphs of this intrepid pioneer. Author Anne Lenehan intersperses poetry and literary references to connect life and literature in a way that adds dimension to both.

Richly told, the book imparts resounding respect and admiration for its subject, Story Musgrave -- the doctor, astronaut, poet, pilot, performer, and philosopher who overcame enormous obstacles to fulfill his destiny. What makes him different than others who've dreamed of -- and succeeded in -- becoming an astronaut is what sets him, and this book, apart.

To convey the essence of this complex individual, a multitude of interviews and extensive research were conducted to describe every angle of Story, from the deeply personal to the professional. As someone who knows Story well enough to have been interviewed by the author, I can attest to the accuracy of this portrayal. Lenehan truly captures the passion, determination and uniqueness of this multi-faceted scientist and artist.

This is a great story not only for aspiring astronauts, philosophers and biography fans, but anyone facing challenges or searching for meaning in their own life. This literary endeavor will inspire the greatness in all of us and, like Story himself, encourage you to "reach for the stars."

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A stella career, June 29, 2006

By 

Brian Taaffe (Melbourne) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Story: The Way of Water (Hardcover)

Don't let anyone say that they failed because they were dealt a poor set of cards. Starting out from a dysfunctional family of high achievers, Story Musgrave rose from a fractured childhood - scarred by bitter divorce engendered by a violent father and a loving but alcoholic mother; a rebellious nature and spectacularly failed school grades at a brutally regimented Massachusetts boarding school - to become an American hero. His first job was with the US Marine Corps as an aviation electrician on an aircraft carrier in the Korean War. This might have been it, but tests with the Marines startlingly revealed a person of exceptional aptitude with a strong mathematical bent, an insatiable curiosity and impatience for the next challenge.

Here on, Story's stellar career would be launched as from an aircraft ejector seat, his astonishing non-linear trajectory whizzing through medicine and aviation - Story excelling firstly as a physiologist and then T-38 jet pilot after joining NASA in 1967 and embarking on the Space Shuttle Challenger's maiden voyage in 1983. Along the way, he would harness his engineering and medical skills in designing space suits, developing techniques for walking in space, and being selected to perform the harrowing task of surgically tinkering with the Hubble telescope on the first repair mission. At NASA Story simply 'set the standards for training and preparation' and this would later be carried into a corporate context - encouraging people to stretch their abilities and achieve new heights. He would become one of the longest serving members of the NASA space team finally bailing out in 1997.

Anne Lenehan meticulously and caringly introduces us into the world of this remarkable Renaissance man and the NASA environment in a beautifully written book. Here, we are taken from the launch pad into the blue void as part of the space team and invited to share Story's abiding spiritual appreciation and respect for nature, a defining quality that would set him apart from almost all other astronauts. Anne also gently provides clues about a complex man who for some reason reminds the reviewer of John Irving's New Hampshire Garp - in his sometimes infuriating pursuit of life and truth. After reading this engrossing book, liberally sprinkled with Story's candour, you feel that you have lived his life, and certainly it is an interesting ride.

This is a book that anyone interested in space and metaphysics must read. It is also the sort of inspirational text that we might plunge into to garner that additional edge towards achieving dazzling success. While this would be a profitable exercise, one cannot ignore that fact that it is Story's uniqueness that stands in high relief. Anne Lenehan has given us the story of the journey through life of a remarkable person and the way he has dealt with his demons and his experiences. But this is the author's journey also, and that is a great part of the pleasure of the read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly inspirational read that dives deep below the surface., December 27, 2007

By 

A. Richardson "the Reverend" (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Story: The Way of Water (Hardcover)

A very detailed look into the life of an iconoclast. This is a truly deep dive into, not only the life of Story Musgrave, but his philosophies and methodologies toward living life the way you want. It stares into hardships unflinchingly and takes the viewer into space with the proper sense of anticipation and awe.

A very great read presented in an original and entertaining manner. Not your typical biography.