BOOK REVIEW: “Spaceman” is the inspiring tale of becoming an astronaut …

It’s only a tiny fragment of a hazy memory … as a young boy my waking up from sleeping on the couch with my head propped against my mother … to watch the television broadcast of the first man to step onto the surface of the moon.

That was one big step for mankind, one that would captivate the imagination of a different boy, this one only seven years old living in New York. His name was Mike Massimino, and he became so fascinated with the idea of traveling into space from watching Neil Armstrong walk on the moon that he would, indeed, become a spaceman.

“Spaceman” (published by Crown Archetype) is the very human story of a lanky boy who dreamed of becoming an astronaut — and pitching from the mound of his favorite baseball team, the Mets. He would go on to do both.

What I found captivating about this book is the inspiration and motivation that seeps from its pages. Massimino persistently presents himself throughout his book as just an ordinary kid who never gave up on a really, really big dream. This ordinary kid would grow up to be a brilliant man, one who would go on to earn his undergraduate degree from Columbia, and two Masters degrees and a PhD. from MIT, all as part of his quest to become a NASA astronaut.

That quest was wrought with challenges that would have (did!) defeated many others. But following along as Massimino tells of pushing, and pushing, and pushing through the variety of hurdles he faced until his dreams turned into reality really is an inspiration to all of us who have our own challenges in life to face.

And once Massimino finally became the astronaut he had so longed to be, he then had the hard work that comes with such a rare opportunity. In “Spaceman” you’ll journey into space with Mike, not once but twice, and see just how challenging — and fulfilling — realizing your dreams can be.

After having attained his goal of walking in space, Massimino would be recognized for his achievement — with the chance to throw out the opening pitch for his beloved Mets.

Even BIG dreams can come true!

“Spaceman” reminds us all that even the biggest, craziest dreams can become our reality if we work hard enough and never give up. But it’s also a story that harmonizes the pursuit of a dream with real life — Massimino did become an astronaut, but being an astronaut was a tough, dangerous job. It was also a blast (no pun intended)! Mike shares the monotony, despair, and the thrills that filled his adventure of pursuing his dream and spending nearly two decades serving as an astronaut.

Get this book and be motivated!

Scotty

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”