An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield

WHEN HE WAS NINE YEARS OLD, Chris Hadfield watched the Apollo moon landing and knew what he wanted to be when he grew up: an astronaut. But that was impossible. Canadians couldn't even apply for the job. So how did he achieve his goal and go on to become the first Canadian Commander of the International Space Station in 2013? Natural ability didn't hurt. But even more important was his singular commitment to what he calls "thinking like an astronaut." In An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, Hadfield explains just what that kind of thinking involves, and how the rest of us can use it to achieve success and happiness right here on Earth.

Astronaut training turns conventional wisdom about success on its head. Astronauts always sweat the small stuff— in order to manage stress. They visualize defeat, not victory —and this builds confidence. They embrace the power of negative thinking - and yet the outcomes, both professionally and personally, are resoundingly positive. Hadfield illustrates these counterintuitive concepts with dramatic and entertaining anecdotes about being blinded during a spacewalk, getting rid of a live snake while flying a plane, and commanding a space ship while its lifeblood leaks into space. His exhilarating experiences and challenges during 144 days on the ISS provide an unforgettable answer to the question he is asked most often:

What's it really like in outer space?

Written with humour, humility and profound optimism about the future of space exploration, An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth isn't just the inspiring story of one man's journey to the ISS. It's an opportunity to step into his space-boots and learn to think like an astronaut — and figure out how to make your own dreams, whatever they are, come true.

Condition: Like-New