An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

Chris Hadfield

Oct 2013 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Chris Hadfield

About this audiobook

As Commander of the International Space Station, Chris Hadfield captivated the world with stunning photos and commentary from space. Now, reading from his first book, Chris takes listeners deep into his years of training and space exploration to show how to make the impossible possible.

Chris Hadfield decided to become an astronaut after watching the Apollo moon landing with his family on Stag Island, Ontario, when he was nine years old, and it was impossible for Canadians to be astronauts. In 2013, he served as Commander of the International Space Station orbiting the Earth during a five-month mission. Fulfilling this lifelong dream required intense focus, natural ability and a singular commitment to “thinking like an astronaut.” In An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, Chris gives us a rare insider’s perspective on just what that kind of thinking involves, and how earthbound humans can use it to achieve success and happiness in their lives.

Astronaut training turns popular wisdom about how to be successful on its head. Instead of visualizing victory, astronauts prepare for the worst; always sweat the small stuff; and do care what others think. Chris shows how this unique education comes into play with dramatic anecdotes about going blind during a spacewalk, getting rid of a live snake while piloting a plane, and docking with space station Mir when laser tracking systems fail at the critical moment. Along the way, he shares exhilarating experiences, and challenges, from his 144 days on the ISS, and provides an unforgettable answer to his most-asked question: What’s it really like in outer space?

With humour, humility and a profound optimism for the future of space exploration, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth offers listeners not just the inspiring story of one man’s journey to the ISS, but the opportunity to step into his space-boots and think like an astronaut—and renew their commitment to pursuing their own dreams, big or small.

Ratings and reviews

Loved every minute of it. Well written and beautifully narrated by M. Hadfield himself. In addition to his out the ordinary stories, Hadfield has a way of giving life lessons without being patronizing. Really inspiring.

Loved it. Chris is incredibly down to earth and modest. His writing is fun, and conversational. Chris' self narration is great

Inspirational Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

About the author

Chris Hadfield is one of the most seasoned and accomplished astronauts in the world. The top graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in 1988 and U.S. Navy test pilot of the year in 1991, Hadfield was selected by the Canadian Space Agency to be an astronaut in 1992. He was CAPCOM for 25 Shuttle launches and served as director of NASA operations in Star City, Russia, from 2001–2003, chief of robotics at the Johnson Space Center in Houston from 2003–2006, and chief of International Space Station operations from 2006–2008. Hadfield most recently served as commander of the International Space Station where, while conducting a record-setting number of scientific experiments and overseeing an emergency spacewalk, he gained worldwide acclaim for his breathtaking photographs and educational videos about life in space. His music video, a zero-gravity version of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” received over ten million views in its first three days online.