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Return to Earth
Colonel Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, a member of the Apollo 11 crew, tells about his adventures on the moon, and about the aftermath when, as an international celebrity, he has to face the consequences of sudden fame, its rewards and its penalties.
338 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1973
230 people are currently reading
733 people want to read
About the author
Buzz Aldrin
84 books258 followersBuzz Aldrin (born Edwin Eugene Aldrin, Jr., January 20, 1930) is an engineer and former American astronaut, and the second person to walk on the Moon. He was the lunar module pilot on Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing in history. He set foot on the Moon at 03:15:16 (UTC) on July 21, 1969, following mission commander Neil Armstrong. He is also a retired colonel in the United States Air Force (USAF) and a Command Pilot.
Aldrin was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, to Edwin Eugene Aldrin, Sr., a career military man, and his wife Marion (née Moon). He is of Scottish, Swedish, and German ancestry. After graduating from Montclair High School in 1946, Aldrin turned down a full scholarship offer from MIT, and went to the US Military Academy at West Point, New York. The nickname "Buzz" originated in childhood: the younger of his two elder sisters (Fay Ann) mispronounced "brother" as "buzzer", and this was shortened to Buzz. Aldrin made it his legal first name in 1988.
Buzz Aldrin graduated third in his class at West Point in 1951, with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force and served as a jet fighter pilot during the Korean War. He flew 66 combat missions in F-86 Sabres and shot down two Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 aircraft.
Subsequent to the war, Aldrin was assigned as an aerial gunnery instructor at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, and next was an aide to the dean of faculty at the US Air Force Academy. He flew F-100 Super Sabres as a flight commander at Bitburg Air Base, West Germany, in the 22d Fighter Squadron. In 1963 Aldrin earned a Doctor of Science degree in astronautics from MIT. His graduate thesis was "Line-of-sight guidance techniques for manned orbital rendezvous", the dedication of which read, "In the hopes that this work may in some way contribute to their exploration of space, this is dedicated to the crew members of this country’s present and future manned space programs. If only I could join them in their exciting endeavors!" On completion of his doctorate, he was assigned to the Gemini Target Office of the Air Force Space Systems Division in Los Angeles before his selection as an astronaut. His initial application to join the astronaut corps was rejected on the basis of having never been a test pilot; that prerequisite was lifted when he re-applied and was accepted into the third astronaut class, the first selection for which he was eligible.
Aldrin was selected as part of the third group of NASA astronauts selected in October 1963. After the deaths of the original Gemini 9 prime crew, Elliot See and Charles Bassett, Aldrin and Jim Lovell were promoted to back-up crew for the mission. The main objective of the revised mission (Gemini 9A) was to rendezvous and dock with a target vehicle, but when this failed, Aldrin improvised an effective exercise for the craft to rendezvous with a co-ordinate in space. He was confirmed as pilot on Gemini 12. Aldrin set a record for EVA, demonstrating that astronauts could work outside spacecraft.
On July 21, 1969, he became the second astronaut to walk on the Moon, keeping his record total EVA time until that was surpassed on Apollo 14. Aldrin's first words on the Moon were "Beautiful view. Magnificent desolation."
After leaving NASA, Aldrin was assigned as the Commandant of the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, California. In March 1972, Aldrin retired from active duty after 21 years of service, and returned to the Air Force in a managerial role, but his career was blighted by personal problems. His autobiographies Return to Earth, published in 1973, and Magnificent Desolation, published in June 2009, both provide accounts of his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism in the years following his NASA career. His life improved considerably when he recognized and sought treatment for his problems. Since retiring from NASA, he has continued to promote space exploration.
Aldrin was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, to Edwin Eugene Aldrin, Sr., a career military man, and his wife Marion (née Moon). He is of Scottish, Swedish, and German ancestry. After graduating from Montclair High School in 1946, Aldrin turned down a full scholarship offer from MIT, and went to the US Military Academy at West Point, New York. The nickname "Buzz" originated in childhood: the younger of his two elder sisters (Fay Ann) mispronounced "brother" as "buzzer", and this was shortened to Buzz. Aldrin made it his legal first name in 1988.
Buzz Aldrin graduated third in his class at West Point in 1951, with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force and served as a jet fighter pilot during the Korean War. He flew 66 combat missions in F-86 Sabres and shot down two Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 aircraft.
Subsequent to the war, Aldrin was assigned as an aerial gunnery instructor at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, and next was an aide to the dean of faculty at the US Air Force Academy. He flew F-100 Super Sabres as a flight commander at Bitburg Air Base, West Germany, in the 22d Fighter Squadron. In 1963 Aldrin earned a Doctor of Science degree in astronautics from MIT. His graduate thesis was "Line-of-sight guidance techniques for manned orbital rendezvous", the dedication of which read, "In the hopes that this work may in some way contribute to their exploration of space, this is dedicated to the crew members of this country’s present and future manned space programs. If only I could join them in their exciting endeavors!" On completion of his doctorate, he was assigned to the Gemini Target Office of the Air Force Space Systems Division in Los Angeles before his selection as an astronaut. His initial application to join the astronaut corps was rejected on the basis of having never been a test pilot; that prerequisite was lifted when he re-applied and was accepted into the third astronaut class, the first selection for which he was eligible.
Aldrin was selected as part of the third group of NASA astronauts selected in October 1963. After the deaths of the original Gemini 9 prime crew, Elliot See and Charles Bassett, Aldrin and Jim Lovell were promoted to back-up crew for the mission. The main objective of the revised mission (Gemini 9A) was to rendezvous and dock with a target vehicle, but when this failed, Aldrin improvised an effective exercise for the craft to rendezvous with a co-ordinate in space. He was confirmed as pilot on Gemini 12. Aldrin set a record for EVA, demonstrating that astronauts could work outside spacecraft.
On July 21, 1969, he became the second astronaut to walk on the Moon, keeping his record total EVA time until that was surpassed on Apollo 14. Aldrin's first words on the Moon were "Beautiful view. Magnificent desolation."
After leaving NASA, Aldrin was assigned as the Commandant of the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, California. In March 1972, Aldrin retired from active duty after 21 years of service, and returned to the Air Force in a managerial role, but his career was blighted by personal problems. His autobiographies Return to Earth, published in 1973, and Magnificent Desolation, published in June 2009, both provide accounts of his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism in the years following his NASA career. His life improved considerably when he recognized and sought treatment for his problems. Since retiring from NASA, he has continued to promote space exploration.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 14, 2013
This was written in 1973 and the distance between then and now is vast. The excitement of "man" landing on the moon, where a nation (might I even say the world?) pulled together, has disappeared and it seems we have deteriorated into a world where no one cares about anything except themselves. Nevertheless, considering the past and the present, I enjoyed this story very much, it vividly outpictures that those we consider heroes and/or celebrities are very much as we: they have their ups/downs, goods/bads, successes/failures. The most important point to me was ". . . there had been the most important goal of all, and it had been realized--I had gone to the moon. What to do next? What possible goal could I add now? There simply wasn't one, and without a goal I was like an inert ping-pong ball being batted about. . ." [300]. So many of us spend (literally spend our time, like money) pursuing our goals and, when we have achieved them, we had not planned for our success, i.e. what do we do next and where do we go from here? Good read!
January 18, 2013
I heard about this book when it first came out in 1973 and it sounded interesting, but I just got around to reading it in 2013.
This book is the autobiography of Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon. While there's a chapter on his childhood, it's mostly about his trip to the moon and the next few years of his life
after he got back.
On the cover of the book it says, "An American hero's tragic crack-up and triumphant recovery -- the shocking courageous true story". That was pretty much the marketing I heard for this book back in the 70's. Well ... if you're looking for some dramatic story about how the famous and respected astronaut ended up as a drug-addled bum living in a dumpster or some such, this isn't it. He talks about a period of a few months when he sufferred from clinical depression and had difficulty concentrating. He eventually checked into a hospital where he was given medication that pretty much solved the problem, and then he was back on his feet. At the same time he was having an affair and considered divorcing his wife to marry this other woman, but in the end he stayed with his wife. That's pretty much it for the "crack-up and triumphant recovery". While he doesn't give exact dates for these events, based on the few dates he does give, the whole business started and ended in well under a year. Frankly, I've been through worse times myself. I'm sure it was rough while he and his family were going through it. But it wasn't much of a crack-up, and there was no "triumphant recovery" -- he just took some meds and got better. I felt a little guilty when I finished the book, that I was wishing the poor man had gone through some horrible torment just so it would be more entertaining for me to read about. :-)
In general, the book is your basic autobiography: A somewhat rambling account of the life of a man who had the opportunity to do some extraordinary things. If you're interested in the history of space exploration -- as I am -- you'll find a lot of interesting tidbits in this book. He talks about some of the things happenning behind the scenes at NASA, and in general gives a personal perspective on historic events that brings the Moon landings down to Earth (no pun intended when I started writing that sentence). As I presume most readers are aware that Apollo 11 made it to the Moon, landed, and returned safely, there are no cliff-hangers here, nor are there any dramatic revelations. Just a lot about the day-to-day happennings around that event. If you're looking for something exciting and tense, this isn't the book. If you're looking for details and the personal stories behind big events, you should find this book interesting.
One other odd thing: Many books start with the most dramatic event, and then flash back to what led up to that event, and then go on from there. But curiously, Aldrin starts with the public relations tour he went on after returning to Earth. Then he goes back to his childhood, events leading up to the Moon landing, and then forward to what he did after the PR tour. I thought the PR tour was about the least interesting thing in the book. I don't know why he put that first. I would have started with the Moon landing.
This book is the autobiography of Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon. While there's a chapter on his childhood, it's mostly about his trip to the moon and the next few years of his life
after he got back.
On the cover of the book it says, "An American hero's tragic crack-up and triumphant recovery -- the shocking courageous true story". That was pretty much the marketing I heard for this book back in the 70's. Well ... if you're looking for some dramatic story about how the famous and respected astronaut ended up as a drug-addled bum living in a dumpster or some such, this isn't it. He talks about a period of a few months when he sufferred from clinical depression and had difficulty concentrating. He eventually checked into a hospital where he was given medication that pretty much solved the problem, and then he was back on his feet. At the same time he was having an affair and considered divorcing his wife to marry this other woman, but in the end he stayed with his wife. That's pretty much it for the "crack-up and triumphant recovery". While he doesn't give exact dates for these events, based on the few dates he does give, the whole business started and ended in well under a year. Frankly, I've been through worse times myself. I'm sure it was rough while he and his family were going through it. But it wasn't much of a crack-up, and there was no "triumphant recovery" -- he just took some meds and got better. I felt a little guilty when I finished the book, that I was wishing the poor man had gone through some horrible torment just so it would be more entertaining for me to read about. :-)
In general, the book is your basic autobiography: A somewhat rambling account of the life of a man who had the opportunity to do some extraordinary things. If you're interested in the history of space exploration -- as I am -- you'll find a lot of interesting tidbits in this book. He talks about some of the things happenning behind the scenes at NASA, and in general gives a personal perspective on historic events that brings the Moon landings down to Earth (no pun intended when I started writing that sentence). As I presume most readers are aware that Apollo 11 made it to the Moon, landed, and returned safely, there are no cliff-hangers here, nor are there any dramatic revelations. Just a lot about the day-to-day happennings around that event. If you're looking for something exciting and tense, this isn't the book. If you're looking for details and the personal stories behind big events, you should find this book interesting.
One other odd thing: Many books start with the most dramatic event, and then flash back to what led up to that event, and then go on from there. But curiously, Aldrin starts with the public relations tour he went on after returning to Earth. Then he goes back to his childhood, events leading up to the Moon landing, and then forward to what he did after the PR tour. I thought the PR tour was about the least interesting thing in the book. I don't know why he put that first. I would have started with the Moon landing.
October 17, 2025
3.5 🌟
not enough moon talk
not enough moon talk
July 10, 2018
I tried, really I did. I kept plugging away at it for a couple weeks. But I ended up reading only a few pages at a time, and then I had to stop. I honestly thought this would be far more interesting than it was. And it could have been. It's told in first person, and the narrator's voice is lifeless and boring. It was like listening to that one college professor who always lectured in the same flat monotone. I'm sorry, Buzz, you are probably a really nice person, but I just wasn't thrilled with the book.
December 31, 2014
The best astronaut autobiography I have read. I have been waiting for one that is real. These were driven men but in the end, human.
May 18, 2020
2.5 stars
Though well intentioned the writing is rambling. I’ve not read a lot of biographies written by the subject and I was constantly missing the voice of a professional writer. I think the heart of my issue was that the book wandered and lacked clear distinction of purpose. Having defined sections would have helped with this. It seemed like It covered the subject of Aldrins life well but you had to mine out the interesting details. I liked the look at the space program but the singularity of voice made some things vague or left unanswered. Again I wished for an outsiders perspective, someone who had conducted interviews with the others closely involved in the events discussed.
Others details like Aldrins affair(s?) lacked clarity. Was Aldrin serially unfaithful, or was their just the one long term affair. Also did he explain to his wife that he had been unfaithful and would continue to be and she agreed? I was left with all of these questions.
I was often unclear on what his actual job was, beyond title like astronaut. Again sections could have helped with this.
Other then the space anecdotes the highlight of the book is Aldrins detailing of his struggles with depression. I believe it is important for prominent people, especially those seen as “hero’s”, to be open about their mental health struggles. That said though it was dull reading. Maybe it would be comforting for someone similarly struggling but it contained no expertise so it wasn’t instructive and I, well appreciating its inclusion, was bored by it.
Overall I wouldn’t recommend the book. I think there are probably more interesting ways to get the information. If you do venture in I recommend skim reading whenever you get bored, you won’t miss much.
Though well intentioned the writing is rambling. I’ve not read a lot of biographies written by the subject and I was constantly missing the voice of a professional writer. I think the heart of my issue was that the book wandered and lacked clear distinction of purpose. Having defined sections would have helped with this. It seemed like It covered the subject of Aldrins life well but you had to mine out the interesting details. I liked the look at the space program but the singularity of voice made some things vague or left unanswered. Again I wished for an outsiders perspective, someone who had conducted interviews with the others closely involved in the events discussed.
Others details like Aldrins affair(s?) lacked clarity. Was Aldrin serially unfaithful, or was their just the one long term affair. Also did he explain to his wife that he had been unfaithful and would continue to be and she agreed? I was left with all of these questions.
I was often unclear on what his actual job was, beyond title like astronaut. Again sections could have helped with this.
Other then the space anecdotes the highlight of the book is Aldrins detailing of his struggles with depression. I believe it is important for prominent people, especially those seen as “hero’s”, to be open about their mental health struggles. That said though it was dull reading. Maybe it would be comforting for someone similarly struggling but it contained no expertise so it wasn’t instructive and I, well appreciating its inclusion, was bored by it.
Overall I wouldn’t recommend the book. I think there are probably more interesting ways to get the information. If you do venture in I recommend skim reading whenever you get bored, you won’t miss much.
February 13, 2022
Insightful look into the space programme
Buzz Aldrin used to be just a name I knew. There was no personality behind it, no big story. It turns out he has a PhD in mechanical engineering and also a military background, which is highly interesting.
After reading this, I have come to appreciate his intelligence and views. The book shows us that he didn't plan from a young age to go to the moon. Instead, it was a combination of decisions on his part, and fate, which paved the way for him to make it onto the Apollo 11 mission. Had he been place on any other Apollo mission, and history would've looked completely different.
He speaks not only about the buildup to getting to the moon, but also about the burnout he suffered afterwards. Who can blame him? Once you've made it to the moon, there comes the undeniable feeling that nothing you do will ever live up to that.
He also speaks about how how some gifts were stolen from him during their world tour, showing that even the best of us are not immune to the evils of the world.
Anyone with an interest in space travel will appreciate this book. It also provided an opportunity for me to learn dozens of new words.
Buzz Aldrin used to be just a name I knew. There was no personality behind it, no big story. It turns out he has a PhD in mechanical engineering and also a military background, which is highly interesting.
After reading this, I have come to appreciate his intelligence and views. The book shows us that he didn't plan from a young age to go to the moon. Instead, it was a combination of decisions on his part, and fate, which paved the way for him to make it onto the Apollo 11 mission. Had he been place on any other Apollo mission, and history would've looked completely different.
He speaks not only about the buildup to getting to the moon, but also about the burnout he suffered afterwards. Who can blame him? Once you've made it to the moon, there comes the undeniable feeling that nothing you do will ever live up to that.
He also speaks about how how some gifts were stolen from him during their world tour, showing that even the best of us are not immune to the evils of the world.
Anyone with an interest in space travel will appreciate this book. It also provided an opportunity for me to learn dozens of new words.
August 2, 2019
The Dark Side of the Moon(shot). A straightforward recounting by Buzz Aldrin of the days after his return from the historical voyage to the moon. It's told in a very matter of fact way so can seem a bit listless at first but the story that is told is a fascinating one of a very driven individual who after he achieves one of the greatest human feats ever (w/the help of countless others of course) asks himself, "What now?" & has no good answer. I think Buzz was clinically bi-polar, he would definitely probably be diagnosed as that nowadays but at the time he was treated speedily for depression which was just one side of the man's inner demon coin. He's a total douche to his wife, which he admits to completely in the book, but still, it's a little infuriating to read about him having an affair w/an unmarried woman in NYC while his wife is home w/the kids. Buzz's image certainly took a beating w/the publishing of this memoir. It's kinda been resurrected over the years because the guy still is a freakin' hero, I mean, 2nd guy on the moon and all that, but, boy-o did this Icarus have wings of wax.
May 14, 2020
I was 18 when Apollo 11 landed, and as a kid growing up in Los Angeles, I loved astronauts and the space race. Many of my friends had parents working on components for Apollo.
But Buzz Aldrin was not one of my favorites. Reading this book 50 years later, in which Aldrin tells his own story, provides reasons for my youthful disconcertment.
A great pilot, brilliant orbital mechanic and thoughtful space walker, he was and is also a highly flawed man. But hey, so are we all. But he also appeared to be arrogant and almost unfriendly.
As a psychology major in college, I was cautioned by a professor that beneath arrogance often is hiding tremendous insecurity and self doubt. It seems to me Aldrin still suffers these.
But this book made this national icon more accessible to me than he ever seemed before, and thus, more human, just like the rest of us. I still would rather have a beer with either Neil Armstrong or Mike Collins, but at least now Aldrin seems a more sympathetic soul.
But Buzz Aldrin was not one of my favorites. Reading this book 50 years later, in which Aldrin tells his own story, provides reasons for my youthful disconcertment.
A great pilot, brilliant orbital mechanic and thoughtful space walker, he was and is also a highly flawed man. But hey, so are we all. But he also appeared to be arrogant and almost unfriendly.
As a psychology major in college, I was cautioned by a professor that beneath arrogance often is hiding tremendous insecurity and self doubt. It seems to me Aldrin still suffers these.
But this book made this national icon more accessible to me than he ever seemed before, and thus, more human, just like the rest of us. I still would rather have a beer with either Neil Armstrong or Mike Collins, but at least now Aldrin seems a more sympathetic soul.
September 27, 2017
I found Return to Earth a quite original book. Even though the style is quick, I still knew what was happening in the biography because it had lots of detail. The book's setting starts off in the module when Neil, Mike and Buzz are about to hit the ocean coming back from the moon. For the rest of the book, though, he is on Earth. The book describes best the struggles that Buzz got after he came back to Earth. He was sick more often since then, for example. The book was predictable as well as "fast-motioned". I quite enjoyed the author's voice because it came directly from Buzz and that is why it was quite detailed. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in space and the moon as Buzz describes those part the best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2019
Interesting inside look at history from within the man
I save 5 stars for life changing works. While I wasn't changed by this autobiograhy, I was impressed with the author's candor. As a child of the space age, I remember where I was when Col. Aldrin walked on the moon. As an adult, I realized that just like everyone, my hero was a man as well as a hero. It's not often that we get to glimpse behind the hype to see the man. He's still a hero to me even after knowing what he considered to be his shortcomings. In fact, perhaps a greater hero to be willing to be so self-disclosing. May God bless him and his family for their many sacrifices to our country and scientific advancement,
I save 5 stars for life changing works. While I wasn't changed by this autobiograhy, I was impressed with the author's candor. As a child of the space age, I remember where I was when Col. Aldrin walked on the moon. As an adult, I realized that just like everyone, my hero was a man as well as a hero. It's not often that we get to glimpse behind the hype to see the man. He's still a hero to me even after knowing what he considered to be his shortcomings. In fact, perhaps a greater hero to be willing to be so self-disclosing. May God bless him and his family for their many sacrifices to our country and scientific advancement,
August 20, 2017
My love is Buzz is complete
In a reading challenge this year and had to read a non fiction. I do not like non fiction. But with the anniversary of the Apollo 11 and my long time secret crush on Buzz Aldrin, this was an easy pick. It did take me longer to read than normal, only because when he was not talking about the mission I found it boring. But his honesty with his marriage and mental state, made it worth the effort. Thank you Mr. Aldrin
In a reading challenge this year and had to read a non fiction. I do not like non fiction. But with the anniversary of the Apollo 11 and my long time secret crush on Buzz Aldrin, this was an easy pick. It did take me longer to read than normal, only because when he was not talking about the mission I found it boring. But his honesty with his marriage and mental state, made it worth the effort. Thank you Mr. Aldrin
July 28, 2019
I’ve always been fascinated with the moon. Like what even is it? Why do we have it? Does the moon like like me or just like me? This book answered none of those questions but Buzz is a fascinating character who really let people into his struggles with fame, masculinity, traditional family values, and depression with this memoir in a way that would be considered admirable today but (I assume) completely extraordinary in 1973. Anyways, what even is the moon and does it like me like that?!
September 5, 2022
3.5 methinks! definitely slow and dry in places, but still very interesting in many aspects. I really enjoyed the chapters on the internal workings of the air force and space program, and was pleasantly surprised by aldrin’s openness about his mental health struggles and advocacy for mental health awareness. a really special time in history to read a first-hand account from and hopefully a good segue into future space non-fiction schtuff!
April 21, 2025
I was satisfied with around half of this book, mostly, I suspect because of its structure. The first half was as I’d expected it would be (upbringing, education and worklife) and the latter half (more or less) was an abrupt redirection of theme and thought (mental health and utter isolation from the earlier chapters) that I was not prepared for. IOW had I missed something in the first half that was in preparation for the rest? In any case, I’m glad to have read Aldrin’s story from his POV.
October 3, 2018
I new Buzz had a story to tell side from the trip to the moon, but I was disappointed that the entire moon trip was just one chapter. He is still a childhood hero for making that trip as well as for all that he has done since then. His story is still a brave one to tell, just not for the reasons I expected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2019
Honest and fascinating
I couldn't stop reading this book. It was an in depth look at the flight to the Moon and also the extreme difficulty in dealing with the life that followed. Normal life was impossible after Apollo 11, and I appreciate the candor that Aldrin shows in sharing the details of the depression he faced.
I couldn't stop reading this book. It was an in depth look at the flight to the Moon and also the extreme difficulty in dealing with the life that followed. Normal life was impossible after Apollo 11, and I appreciate the candor that Aldrin shows in sharing the details of the depression he faced.
October 7, 2019
Very interesting bio
In fact this book deserves 41/2 stars as most of it is captivating.
It’s not only the story of the moon landing but the life story of Buzz Aldrin and what happened to him AFTER he was back from the moon, his struggle to go back to a “ normal life” which was never normal.
It’s the story of Aldrin the astronaut and, more interesting, of Aldrin the man.
In fact this book deserves 41/2 stars as most of it is captivating.
It’s not only the story of the moon landing but the life story of Buzz Aldrin and what happened to him AFTER he was back from the moon, his struggle to go back to a “ normal life” which was never normal.
It’s the story of Aldrin the astronaut and, more interesting, of Aldrin the man.
November 17, 2019
Aldrin has a good book with a great moral. He was one of those blessed people - football star, all state, Air Force Academy, chosen to be an astronaut, chosen to land on the moon...then what. He shows both the power of setting goals and the let down that happens when all the goals have been "checked off."
July 8, 2021
An honest and deep look into someone who appears to be invincible. A lot more personal struggles than most astronaut biographies. Still included a lot of the facts we know and love but really added something more. Was pleasantly surprised by this book.
January 19, 2023
What an incredibly candid story written from the perspective of the second man to walk on the Moon.
I really applaud Buzz Aldrin for being so open about his struggle with mental health and depression.
I really applaud Buzz Aldrin for being so open about his struggle with mental health and depression.
December 26, 2025
I read this book when I was a kid and it changed my life. It’s taught me that everybody is limited and you have to make the best of what you have. There are no hero’s. It also taught me about how important it is to be authentic and vulnerable
December 25, 2018
I learned a fair amount about the journey to the moon and the aftermath of such a trip experienced by Col. Aldrin. Glad to have read it.
January 10, 2020
Bravo
Incredibly candid, courageous and helpful insights into incredible success and subsequent depression. Easy reading but highly thought provoking. Read it
Incredibly candid, courageous and helpful insights into incredible success and subsequent depression. Easy reading but highly thought provoking. Read it
February 7, 2020
Good thing when he was going to and on the moon he was more stable and made better decisions than subsequently in his personal life.
May 23, 2020
Return to earth.
Very dry. Hard to read could not read for a extended period. Does it stay sequential either. Sad as a little work it would be very good.
Very dry. Hard to read could not read for a extended period. Does it stay sequential either. Sad as a little work it would be very good.
June 13, 2020
Hard to read
I .was a little confused on the fact that Buzz injected another book on the end of the original book.
I .was a little confused on the fact that Buzz injected another book on the end of the original book.
March 11, 2021
Enthralling book. Every time I picked it up I had to pry myself away from it.
October 21, 2023
Can you make a book about 1st Moon landing boring? Yes you can. Wasted time and money.
December 31, 2020
Impressed with the depth of personal experiences shared by Buzz.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews