Carrying the Fire

An Astronaut's Journeys

By: Michael Collins

Narrated by: David Colacci

'No other person who has flown in space has captured the experience so vividly' - New York Times Book Review

In July 1969, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins piloted the Apollo 11 spacecraft to the moon. Fifty years later, it is still one of the greatest achievements in human history.

In this remarkable memoir, Michael Collins conveys, in a very personal way, the drama, beauty, and humour of that adventure. He also traces his development from his first flight experiences in the air force, through his days as a test pilot, to his involvement in Project Gemini and his first spaceflight on Gemini 10. He presents an evocative picture of the famous Apollo 11 spacewalk, detailing the joys of flight and a new perspective on time, light, and movement from someone who has seen the fragile Earth from the other side of the moon.

Updated with a new preface to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon-landing, Carrying the Fire by Michael Collins is the utterly absorbing and truly compelling classic account of what it was like to be a member of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.

Critic reviews

Collins tells what his space journeys meant to him as a human being [and] discusses the role of man amid the multitudinous mechanical marvels . . . Profoundly affecting

Michael Collins can write . . . No other person who has flown in space has captured the experience so vividly

A splendid and affirmative book . . . A magnificent piece of exposition alive with humour, candid in its anxiety, very sensitive in its appreciation of the men involved. (Edward Weeks)

a must for the space exploration enthusiast

Very human and very accessible book.
I love space exploration, especially the early years.
Michael Collins gives a very down to earth (pun intended) telling of his adventures while at NASA.

Long but unique. A cult

Reasons to read :
1) story of one of the very biggest achievements of humanity
2) lots of anecdotes and insights on the early days of space exploration
3) very deep reflections on the meaning and purpose of space exploration for Collins and world at large

Must read

I enjoyed every bit of it. As an engineer and pilot and space enthusiast. It carried me to the unimaginable details. Bless you michael Collins.