Letters of Note: Space

by Shaun Usher

In Letters of Space, Shaun Usher brings together fascinating correspondence about the universe beyond our planet, containing hopeful thoughts about the future of space travel, awestruck messages penned about the worlds beyond our own and celebrations of the human ingenuity that has facilitated our understanding of the cosmos.

Includes letters Buzz Aldrin, Isaac Asimov, Marion Carpenter, Yuri Gagarin, Ann Druyan, Stanley Kubrick, Alexander Graham Bell, Neil DeGrasse Tyson and many more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Adult

Audible Audio

Published May 27, 2021

About the author

Shaun Usher is a writer, editor, and compulsive collector of remarkable words. He is the author of Letters of Note, an international bestseller that began life as a blog and grew into a celebrated series of books and inspired the live stage show Letters Live, which he has co-produced since 2013. He has published 16 books so far, covering everything from love and grief to music, dogs, and outer space, and in October 2025 will release his 17th, Diaries of Note: 366 Lives, One Day at a Time, a curated journey through a year’s worth of diary entries from history. He lives in Manchester with his wife, Karina, and their three children.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved these little letter vignettes! For space enthusiasts and those with little knowledge.

[Becky Ginther · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second "Letters of Note" book that I've read, and they were both really good! I love the format: it's a collection of letters all about the same topic. (In this case, space). It's a cool way to learn about some history of space but also get a more intimate perspective on the topic. I really enjoyed reading the letters.

[Librow0rm Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, emotive, thought provoking and most definitely a paddle for anyone’s curiosity journey.
Each letter is preceded by a background précis, concise and informative that sets the scene perfectly.
The letters range from heartfelt and emotional to truly shocking and educational.
A read that well and truly pulled me out of my comfort zone.
This Book was a joy from start to end and I can’t wait to share it with friends and family alike.

[Jake Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as wide-ranging (obviously) or impassioned as most letters in Letters of Note, which was a joy.

[Lou Elusiveink · Rating 4 out of 5]

short and sweet.

[Reading and Beyond ( Kyla) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real nice evening reading

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ALC from Libro.fm from the librarian courtesy collection and I’m really happy that I had the audio version of it. I truly enjoyed hearing the letters written from people in all walks of life whether it was astronauts, scientists, regular people, the president. A great read for anyone who enjoys stories about space and curiosity.

[Emma Durand · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish the letters were in date order… but 10/10!

[travelsalongmybookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Letters of Note: Space as part of the Tandem Collective UK read along.

This is a perfectly formed collection of letters from many different people on the subject of Space. There are letters from Astronauts, Politicians, Parents and Children.
I read it in one sitting and was amazed how it made me feel. It was very humbling to read these letters and I felt privileged to be allowed to do so. I learned a lot, so many interesting facts….Pluto is half the width of the United States….who knew?!
Probably the stand out letters for me are from children, they are to the point as only children can be.

‘My name is Jack Davis and I would like to apply for the Planetary Protection Officer job. I may be nine but I think I would be fit for the job. One of the reasons is my sister says I am an alien…..
Sincerely Jack Davis; Guardian of The Galaxy; Fourth Grade.’

I was personally very disappointed that he was not given the job on this alone!
Humour aside, this book forms a little time capsule of human beings obsession with space. Having a collection of letters spaced over a century is incredible. It shows us a microcosm of the human condition, how different people are treated, from the three African- American women who worked at NASA as ‘human computers’ in the 1960’s to the man who warned of the potential of the Challenger disaster to children with ideas for spacecraft and a real love of all things space.
It gives just a little idea of the vastness of space, the terror of it and despite most of us never being able to visit we look to it for inspiration and to fire our imaginations.

This is a fantastic book that I would really recommend and I am going to definitely build my Letters of Note Collection!

✩✩✩✩✩

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Thanks to Tandem Collective for my copy of this book

[Miss Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another neat compilation of heartfelt letters to inspire.

I adore the letters from young people like Akosua Haynes. What a great letter to open with. She invited her friends to her birthday celebration but "if they wanted to come they had to read at least two thirds of your book so that we could have an interesting discussion." Another highlight were the letters from various astronauts to their families. Of interest were those letters concerning NASA employment, the "greeting card", costs, and first words. This compilation didn't shy away from controversy either, including correspondence on the status of Pluto and the moon landing "hoax". It is difficult to have a favourite letter, but the final one from Neil deGrasse Tyson was open, honest and enlightening...a perfect end to the collection.

In the introduction, Shaun Usher writes "What did not surprise me, however, was that so many people have written fascinating letters about a place visited by so few of us. A destination so close yet so incredibly far."