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Carrying the Fire cover art

Carrying the Fire

Written by: Michael Collins, Charles A. Lindbergh - foreword
Narrated by: David Colacci
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Publisher's Summary

In Carrying the Fire, Michael Collins conveys, in a very personal way, the drama, beauty, and humor of the adventure of reaching the moon. He also traces his development from his first flight experiences in the air force, through his days as a test pilot, to his Apollo 11 spacewalk, presenting an evocative description of the joys of flight as well as a new perspective on time, light, and movement from someone who has seen the fragile Earth from the other side of the moon.

©1974 Michael Collins; foreword copyright 1974 by Charles A. Lindbergh; Preface to the 2009 edition copyright 2009 by Michael Collins (P)2017 Tantor

What the critics say

"Collins tells what his space journeys meant to him as a human being [and] discusses the role of man amid the multitudinous mechanical marvels.... Profoundly affecting." ( The New Yorker)

What listeners say about Carrying the Fire

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To the Moon!

I was wondering why I was reading so many books about the history of Space Travel. Then I realized I had purchased most of them in 2019 and 2020, 50 years after the first landing on the Moon.

I grew up in that era, and wanted to be an astronaut.

Hearing a first-person account of that life is exciting.

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Very happy with this book

I love Michael Collins’ as a good natured, self-deprecating, occasionally profane aeronautic legend. This book was a great, balanced look at the man, who is as open and honest about his experiences as he is intelligent in his delivery. Worth a listen if you are into another perspective on the Apollo perspective.

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in his own words

great reader. I listened to this book in one week. it was an honest man's view on human history. it was interesting and charming. Michael Collins sounds like a great human being. he makes himself out to be nothing special but did something incredible. thanks!

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Great bit of history! narration is slow

I loved this book. Even though it was written in 1976, it still seemed fresh. my only complaint was the narration. I had to play this one at 1.5x as the narrator was a very slow talker. overall a good experience in the end. a "behind the curtain" view of the Gemini program and Apollo 11 mission.

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Very good listen and humorous.

Really loved the cynicism which the reader expresses well. Laughed out loud quite a few times.

Better than expected.

From a non-space aficionado

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  • 2019-09-07

Felt Like I Was There

Detailed, technical, but told in plain language.

What question would I have for Michael Collins, in amongst every that could be asked? Nothing. I would simply say "Thank you."

An excellent biography!

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great book

one of the best (if not the best) biographical books by former astronauts. Michael Collins self effacing manner guides you through the history of early spaceflight

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