Magnificent Desolation; The Long Journey Home from the Moon
by Aldrin, Buzz with Abraham, Ken
- Used
- good
- Paperback
- first
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN 10
- 030746346X
- ISBN 13
- 9780307463463
- Seller
-
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
The flight of Apollo 11 made Aldrin one of the most famous persons on our planet, yet few people know the rest of this true American hero's story. In Magnificent Desolation, Aldrin not only gives us a harrowing first-person account of the lunar landing that came within seconds of failure and the ultimate insider's view of life as one of the superstars of America's space program, he also opens up with remarkable candor about his more personal trials-and eventual triumphs-back on Earth. From the glory of being part of the mission that fulfilled President Kennedy's challenge to reach the moon before the decade was out, Aldrin returned home to an Air Force career stripped of purpose or direction, other than as a public relations tool that NASA put to relentless use in a seemingly nonstop world tour. The twin demons of depression and alcoholism emerged-the first of which Aldrin confronted early and publicly, and the second of which he met with denial until it nearly killed him. He burned through two marriages, his Air Force career came to an inglorious end, and he found himself selling cars for a living when he wasn't drunkenly wrecking them. Redemption came when he finally embraced sobriety, gained the love of a woman, Lois, who would become the great joy of his life, and dedicated himself to being a tireless advocate for the future of space exploration-not only as a scientific endeavor but also as a thriving commercial enterprise.
These days Buzz Aldrin is enjoying life with an enthusiasm that reminds us how far it is possible for a person to travel, literally and figuratively. As an adventure story, a searing memoir of self-destruction and self-renewal, and as a visionary rallying cry to once again set our course for Mars and beyond, Magnificent Desolation is the thoroughly human story of a genuine hero.
Synopsis
On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong landed their lunar module on the moon's Sea of Tranquility and became the first two humans to walk on the moon. This unprecedented heroic endeavor was witnessed by the largest worldwide television audience in history. He was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor among over 50 other distinguished awards and medals from the United States and numerous other countries. Since retiring from NASA, the Air Force, and his position as commander of the Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Dr. Aldrin has remained at the forefront of efforts to ensure a continued leading role for America in manned space exploration. To advance his lifelong commitment to venturing outward in space, he founded his rocket design company, Starcraft Boosters, Inc., and the ShareSpace Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to opening the doors to space tourism for all people. Buzz and his wife, Lois, live in Los Angeles. Ken Abraham is a New York Times bestselling author, known around the world for his collaborations with celebrities and high-profile public figures.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Ground Zero Books (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 72993
- Title
- Magnificent Desolation; The Long Journey Home from the Moon
- Author
- Aldrin, Buzz with Abraham, Ken
- Format/Binding
- Trade paperback
- Book Condition
- Used - Good
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First Paperback Edition [stated]. First printing [stated]
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 030746346X
- ISBN 13
- 9780307463463
- Publisher
- Three Rivers Press
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 2010
- Keywords
- Astronauts, NASA, Alcoholism, Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong, Lunar Landing, Depression, Michael Collins, ShareSpace Foundation, Space Exploration, Space Tourism, Space Shuttle
Terms of Sale
Ground Zero Books
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Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Trade Paperback
- Used to indicate any paperback book that is larger than a mass-market paperback and is often more similar in size to a hardcover...
- Inscribed
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