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  • Carrying the Fire

  • An Astronaut's Journeys
  • By: Michael Collins
  • Narrated by: David Colacci
  • Length: 20 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (91 ratings)

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Carrying the Fire

By: Michael Collins
Narrated by: David Colacci
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Publisher's Summary

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.

©2017 Tantor Media Inc., a division of Recorded Books (P)2019 Macmillan Digital Audio

Critic Reviews

"No other person who has flown in space has captured the experience so vividly." (New York Times Book Review)

What listeners say about Carrying the Fire

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Incredible

One of, if not the best autobiography’s ever written. Incredible. Mike Collins story is incredible.

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An excellent contribution to space history

A detailed, humourous acount of an astronaut. Collins does not take himself too seriously, but shows deep respect for and commitment to telling his life's story which also provides deep insight into what it was really like to get to the moon and back as the pilot of Apollo 11.

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An incredible insight into the life of an astronaut.

An incredible insight into the Gemini and Apollo programs and the earlier days of Mike’s life, told in a relatable and humorous way. He explains technical parts of the missions in a way that’s easy to understand, I definitely recommend for anyone interested in Apollo, space flight or aviation, a very interesting listen!

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amazing read/listen

I've read a dozen books on the 60s/70s space era and this is now one of my favourites. Detailed and entertaining... and even quite witty, I never once got bored or felt like it was dragging.

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Brilliant

Michael Collins has written his story in a wonderful funny and insightful way.
And David brings it to life.

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An excellent story of the early space program

As one who watched the Apollo landings live, with rapt attention as the first explorers walked on the moon, and as a scientist, I am very familiar with the history of the struggle to get to the moon. I have read numbers of books on the subject. This is the most interesting, the most engrossing, and the most human of all of them. If you read, only one book on the space program, this should be on your short list. Outstanding.

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