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dlberglund's review against another edition
4.0
A compelling narrative non-fiction. It not only tells us the story of the three spacemen who were stranded so far from home, but gives us glimpses into stories of the many other astronauts and cosmonauts who boldly went where hardly anyone had gone before. Highly recommended to both those who remember holding their breaths, watching shuttles take off, and the millenials who may not realize what it was like to gasp when we had liftoff.
princesszinza's review against another edition
4.0
I love the idea of space travel. Chris Jone attempts to help the reader know what being on the international space station really feels like on an emotional level. This book is beautifully written. Some of the analogies and tangents the author writes are a bit weird. There is a long passage where he graphically describes the ways an astronaut could die while out on a space walk. It takes talent to be gruesome and beautiful in the same sentence. Chris Jones definitely has talent.
The ending of this book was a revelation for me. I had forgotten how these astronauts (who had to leave the space station in a Russian capsule after the shuttle program was halted in the wake of the Columbia disaster) almost had a disastrous trip back to earth themselves. It took hours for the Russians to find their capsule after a hot re-entry into earth's atmosphere.
The ending of this book was a revelation for me. I had forgotten how these astronauts (who had to leave the space station in a Russian capsule after the shuttle program was halted in the wake of the Columbia disaster) almost had a disastrous trip back to earth themselves. It took hours for the Russians to find their capsule after a hot re-entry into earth's atmosphere.
__karen__'s review against another edition
5.0
Like the JFK assassination, Challenger explosion and 9/11, space shuttle Columbia's tragic end is one of those "where were you when" events that was so shocking that it made an indelible mark on Americans' collective memory. While "Too Far From Home" retraces some aspects of our history in space, this historic story (whose details were new to me) in many ways starts upon the demise of space shuttle Columbia. Perhaps it was well known at the time, but I hadn't realized the seriousness of the dilemma NASA faced when the space shuttle was grounded post-Columbia, stranding three astronauts (U.S. astronauts Donald Pettit and Kenneth Bowersox, and Russian flight engineer Nikolai Budarin) on the International Space Station (ISS) without a ride home. I found these three astronauts' story to be very suspenseful and compelling.
While some books about space travel are more technical and explain every scientific nuance, "Too Far From Home" focuses on the human stories in the aftermath of Columbia. That focus on the human experience is what makes this audiobook so intensely compelling: The grief the three astronauts on ISS experienced upon learning about their colleagues on the Columbia, the challenges they overcame in rationing food, water and other resources while awaiting a ride home, the loss of control experienced by NASA officials when the best solution was to use an untested new Russian spacecraft to retrieve the stranded astronauts, and the very real risks these three astronauts faced during their journey home.
Between the true story authored by Chris Jones and Erik Davies' excellent narration, this was one of the most suspenseful audiobooks I've ever listened to... I highly recommend it to those interested in space history or human drama.
While some books about space travel are more technical and explain every scientific nuance, "Too Far From Home" focuses on the human stories in the aftermath of Columbia. That focus on the human experience is what makes this audiobook so intensely compelling: The grief the three astronauts on ISS experienced upon learning about their colleagues on the Columbia, the challenges they overcame in rationing food, water and other resources while awaiting a ride home, the loss of control experienced by NASA officials when the best solution was to use an untested new Russian spacecraft to retrieve the stranded astronauts, and the very real risks these three astronauts faced during their journey home.
Between the true story authored by Chris Jones and Erik Davies' excellent narration, this was one of the most suspenseful audiobooks I've ever listened to... I highly recommend it to those interested in space history or human drama.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't know how interested in space I was until I read this book! Chris Jones breezes over the history of the space race in this book, but he concentrates on a 2003 mission that sent three astronauts to live in space for several months. These three astronauts were supposed to come home on the Columbia. But on February 1, 2003, Columbia was destroyed upon reentering the earth's atmosphere, killing the seven astronauts on board. The three men aboard the Interational Space Station were left stranded with no telling when they would be able to come home.
Usually with books like this I end up skipping big chunks of the more factual historical stuff. Jones does a good job of keeping it all interesting, though. He breaks up the sections and, though it sometimes felt like he was skipping around a lot, it makes the facts a lot easier to read. I'm pegging this for an Alex award!
Usually with books like this I end up skipping big chunks of the more factual historical stuff. Jones does a good job of keeping it all interesting, though. He breaks up the sections and, though it sometimes felt like he was skipping around a lot, it makes the facts a lot easier to read. I'm pegging this for an Alex award!
wannabemensch's review
4.0
This was less technical and more beautiful than I expected. Which is not to say it wasn't informative. I learned more about the American and Russian space programs than I thought I wanted to know. And I confirmed that I never, ever, ever want to go into space. But I'm glad others do, and I'm glad Chris Jones wrote about them.
kayjummac's review
3.0
Started out really interesting (to me) describing life in space, then got bogged down in following all the main characters training and road to becoming astronaut (or cosmonaut). Really lost my interest.
erinelizabeth's review
2.0
Non-fiction written like a novel telling us in EXTREME detail what every person is feeling and thinking at every moment. Even if he had talked to the astronauts and their spouses he still added way too much guessed at emotions. Also according to this author, astronauts come from rural areas because people in cities are incapable of dreaming.
I did like finding out about daily life on the International Space Station, details on the Columbia explosion, and the Soyuz Russian capsule but this book had too much fluff and inappropriate analogies.
I did like finding out about daily life on the International Space Station, details on the Columbia explosion, and the Soyuz Russian capsule but this book had too much fluff and inappropriate analogies.
smcscot's review
4.0
This book is marketed incorrectly, but it gave me something I've been looking for, for quite some time...a history of the space program since Apollo. There is little fear for the astronauts and cosmonauts like the description lends, but you get a great history here, so if you've ever been interested in space or the people who go there, give it a read.
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