Week 12 prompt

An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth: What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything
by Chris Hadfield

Where is this book on narrative spectrum?

• A mix (combines highly narrative moments with periods of fact-based prose)

What is the subject of the book?

• Commander Hadfield explains his life as an astronaut--all the training on Earth, three trips to space--and how it impacts his philosophy towards life on Earth.

What type of book is it?

• Memoir, with bits of investigative science

Articulate appeal:

1. What is the pacing of the book?

• Leisurely.  A mix of personal perspective and interesting facts make the book engaging, but not the quickest read.

       2. Describe the characters of the book

• Chris Hadfield is the "main" character.  He participated in two space shuttle flights, and acted as commander of the International Space Station during his third trip to space.  He became famous after uploading a series of videos to Youtube in which he demonstrated simple tasks (such as playing his guitar) in zero gravity.  He writes of his family and the other astronauts he flew with, all shone in a positive manner.

        3. How does the story feel?

• Educational, inspiring

        4. What is the intent of the author?

• To share not just the scientific side of space and astronomy, but also the attitude and work ethic that goes into being as astronaut--how they must be trained and prepared for anything to happen in space, where they are alone with themselves and finite supplies

        5. What is the focus of the story?

• Hadfield's career as a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot and as an astronaut, and how this work has influenced the way he views life.

        6. Does the language matter?

• Yes, technical terms are often, but always explained.

        7. Is the setting important and well-described?

• Settings range between labs and training facilities, and outer space.  The settings are important, especially the International Space Station, and all are well-described.

        8. Are there details and if so, of what?

• There are plenty of details throughout the book as the author explains his highly-technical career so that the average reader will understand.  Details may be over technology, engineering and science.

        9. Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials?  Are they useful and clear?

• There are no charts or graphs.  There are some pages of pictures of Hadfield's life or photos he took from the space station.

       10. Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding or experience?

• All three, as it is the intent of the book to explore Hadfield's career which is full of unique experiences, and to learn and understand more intimately about what it means to be an astronaut.

Why would a reader enjoy this book?  (rank appeal)

1. learning/experiencing
2. detail
3. author's perspective