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The Ordinary Spaceman

From Boyhood Dreams to Astronaut

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The Ordinary Spaceman

Written by: Clayton C. Anderson
Narrated by: Aaron Killian
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What's it like to travel at more than 850 MPH, riding in a supersonic T-38 twin turbojet engine airplane? What happens when the space station toilet breaks? How do astronauts "take out the trash" on a spacewalk, tightly encapsulated in a space suit with just a few layers of fabric and Kevlar between them and the unforgiving vacuum of outer space?

The Ordinary Spaceman puts you in the flight suit of US astronaut Clayton C. Anderson and takes you on the journey of this small-town boy from Nebraska who spent 167 days living and working on the International Space Station, including more than 40 hours of space walks. Having applied to NASA 15 times over 15 years to become an astronaut before his ultimate selection, Anderson offers a unique perspective on his life as a veteran space flier, one characterized by humility and perseverance.

From the application process to launch aboard the space shuttle Atlantis, from serving as a family escort for the ill-fated Columbia crew in 2003 to his own daily struggles - family separation, competitive battles to win coveted flight assignments, the stress of a highly visible job, and the ever-present risk of having to make the ultimate sacrifice - Anderson shares the full range of his experiences.

©2015 Clayton C. Anderson (P)2016 Redwood Audiobooks Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Americas Astronomy & Space Science Professionals & Academics Science Science & Technology United States
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What the critics say

"Anderson provides a focused picture of how a fiercely dedicated individual became a spaceman." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Clayton Anderson is no ordinary astronaut, and this is no ordinary book. It is an uncompromisingly honest rendering of a challenging and fulfilling life by someone with a singular dream and the moxie to pursue it to success." ( Lincoln Journal Star)
"He may have been an ordinary spaceman, but The Ordinary Spaceman demonstrates he is certainly not ordinary." ( Space Review)
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I met Clayton in the Johnson Space Centre gift shop. I was looking for a book for my Grandson’s. He walked up beside me and asked if he could help. He suggested a great book A Is For Astronaut. He then suggested another great book The Ordinary Spaceman. As he pointed to it I saw his picture and realized who I was speaking with. He offered to sign the book for my grandsons. The woman at the cash told me he was always doing that. He was genuinely a nice man. So while waiting for my ride I downloaded this book which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you Clayton, live long and prosper.

Thank you Clayton

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