An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

By: Chris Hadfield

Narrated by: Chris Hadfield

This audiobook is fascinatingly read by the author, Chris Hadfield.

Back on the earth after three spaceflights, Chris Hadfield's captivating memoir An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth reveals extraordinary stories from his life as an astronaut, and shows how to make the impossible a reality.

Colonel Chris Hadfield has spent decades training as an astronaut and has logged nearly 4,000 hours in space. During this time he has broken into a Space Station with a Swiss army knife, disposed of a live snake while piloting a plane, and been temporarily blinded while clinging to the exterior of an orbiting spacecraft. The secret to Col. Hadfield's success – and survival – is an unconventional philosophy he learned at NASA: prepare for the worst – and enjoy every moment of it.

In An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, Col. Hadfield takes readers deep into his years of training and space exploration to show how to make the impossible possible. Through eye-opening, entertaining stories filled with the adrenaline of launch, the mesmerizing wonder of spacewalks and the measured, calm responses mandated by crises, he explains how conventional wisdom can get in the way of achievement – and happiness. His own extraordinary education in space has taught him some counterintuitive lessons: don't visualize success, do care what others think, and always sweat the small stuff.

You might never be able to build a robot, pilot a spacecraft, make a music video or perform basic surgery in zero gravity like Col. Hadfield. But his vivid and refreshing insights will teach you how to think like an astronaut, and will change, completely, the way you view life on Earth – especially your own.

Authentic and excellent

What did you love best about An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth?

The authenticity of the narrative. The (mostly) gripping storylines. The useful, first-hand insight into the life of an astronaut. The very useful lessons from it.
What I really enjoyed, is that Chris Hadfield doesn't "preach" on what to do and what not. He doesn't give a 10-point self-improvement list of things to learn or do. He simply tells his story, and the perceptive reader can apply the lessons Chris had learned to his/her own situation, or not.
There are precious jewels hidden in Hadfield's story. Take this one example: "No situation is so bad that you cannot make it worse."

Who was your favorite character and why?

Chris Hadfield himself, of course. But then, his sons and wife seem to be worth getting to know better.

Which character – as performed by Chris Hadfield – was your favorite?

Chris Hadfield himself.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but I did recommend it to several friends and gave it as a gift to one friend.

Inspiring!

An amazing story from an inspiring human being, delightfully delivered by Chris Hadfield himself.

Square astronaut, round hole.
Thank you for sharing Chris!

Wow... Just wow 😀

Absolutely loved this book! I've always been fascinated by space and hearing stories from someone who's been there is just amazing. If Chris ever feels like telling more stories about his journey, I'm ready to listen.

got me to cry

got me to cry.
the book is pretty great with everything. i like it very much.
Chris is such a human. He totaly down to earth explains how he experienced everything.

Good thoughtof mingling experiences with others' and teachings derived from such withextension to everyday life

Would be nicer if he could have covered other, unmentioned aspects of a person's life, his spouse and family's life and the view from others who are not as .... as he is