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Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story
In this entrancing account, space traveler Michael Collins recalls his early days as an Air Force test pilot, his astronaut training at NASA, and his unparalleled experiences in orbit, including the Apollo 11 mission, the first manned lunar landing. The final chapter to his autobiography, revised and updated for this edition of Flying to the Moon , is an exciting and convincing argument in favor of mankind's continued exploration of our universe.
"Several astronauts have written about their experiences, but none so well as Michael Collins...This is just the book to give the child whose parents made Yeager and The Right Stuff best sellers."-The Washington Post Book World
"Several astronauts have written about their experiences, but none so well as Michael Collins...This is just the book to give the child whose parents made Yeager and The Right Stuff best sellers."-The Washington Post Book World
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
57 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Michael Collins
18 books83 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
(2)Astronaut
Michael Collins was a former American astronaut and test pilot. Selected as part of the third group of fourteen astronauts in 1963, he flew in space twice. His first spaceflight was Gemini 10, in which he and command pilot John Young performed two rendezvous with different spacecraft and Collins undertook two EVAs. His second spaceflight was as the command module pilot for Apollo 11. While he orbited the Moon, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made the first manned landing on the lunar surface.
During his day flying solo around the Moon, Collins never felt lonely. Although it has been said "not since Adam has any human known such solitude", Collins felt very much a part of the mission. In his autobiography he wrote "this venture has been structured for three men, and I consider my third to be as necessary as either of the other two". In the 48 minutes of each orbit when he was out of radio contact with the Earth while Columbia passed round the far side of the Moon, the feeling he reported was not fear or loneliness, but rather "awareness, anticipation, satisfaction, confidence, almost exultation"
After spending so much time with the CSM, Collins felt compelled to leave his mark on it, so during the second night following their return from the Moon, he went to the lower equipment bay of the CM and wrote:
"Spacecraft 107 – alias Apollo 11 – alias Columbia. The best ship to come down the line. God Bless Her. Michael Collins, CMP"
After retiring from NASA in 1970, Collins took a job in the Department of State as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs. A year later, he became the director of the National Air and Space Museum, and held this position until 1978, when he stepped down to become undersecretary of the Smithsonian Institution. In 1980, he took a job as vice president of LTV Aerospace. He resigned in 1985 to start his own consulting firm. Along with his Apollo 11 crewmates, Collins was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2011.
(2)Astronaut
Michael Collins was a former American astronaut and test pilot. Selected as part of the third group of fourteen astronauts in 1963, he flew in space twice. His first spaceflight was Gemini 10, in which he and command pilot John Young performed two rendezvous with different spacecraft and Collins undertook two EVAs. His second spaceflight was as the command module pilot for Apollo 11. While he orbited the Moon, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made the first manned landing on the lunar surface.
During his day flying solo around the Moon, Collins never felt lonely. Although it has been said "not since Adam has any human known such solitude", Collins felt very much a part of the mission. In his autobiography he wrote "this venture has been structured for three men, and I consider my third to be as necessary as either of the other two". In the 48 minutes of each orbit when he was out of radio contact with the Earth while Columbia passed round the far side of the Moon, the feeling he reported was not fear or loneliness, but rather "awareness, anticipation, satisfaction, confidence, almost exultation"
After spending so much time with the CSM, Collins felt compelled to leave his mark on it, so during the second night following their return from the Moon, he went to the lower equipment bay of the CM and wrote:
"Spacecraft 107 – alias Apollo 11 – alias Columbia. The best ship to come down the line. God Bless Her. Michael Collins, CMP"
After retiring from NASA in 1970, Collins took a job in the Department of State as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs. A year later, he became the director of the National Air and Space Museum, and held this position until 1978, when he stepped down to become undersecretary of the Smithsonian Institution. In 1980, he took a job as vice president of LTV Aerospace. He resigned in 1985 to start his own consulting firm. Along with his Apollo 11 crewmates, Collins was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 25, 2019
Written for middle grade and teen readers, this is informative, exciting, straightforward, and hopeful. Collins is such a favorite of mine.
July 22, 2016
*THIS BOOK IS THE BOOK THAT I HAVE READ FOR SUMMER ASSIGNMENT*
I bought this book at the start of the summer vacation, and I read this book every night when I had a time to read a book. I could have read the book throughout the vacation, but I have completed the book so quickly because the book made me to continue read until the end. This book is an autobiography written by the Apollo 11's pilot Michael Collins, and the book talks about the life of Collins as an astronaut. He talks about what he have done in the space with Apollo 11 and Gemeni 10. The major reason why I liked this book is that my dream is becoming a fighter pilot. Michael Collins started his journey as a fighter pilot, then he transferred to an astronaut when NASA wanted astronauts for the first time. He is one of the pioneers of American astronaut. I got some good quotations from Michael Collins while I read this book, and it made me to dream more in becoming the fighter pilot. Reading book was a total new experience, and it gave me many inspirations. My dream is not an astronaut, but my dream is still related to flight, a fighter pilot. When I read this book, I got some compelling informations from the author Michael Collins. Michael was very talented astronaut and fighter pilot. When I get older, I want to become a pilot like Michael Collins, or even better than him in the flight.
I bought this book at the start of the summer vacation, and I read this book every night when I had a time to read a book. I could have read the book throughout the vacation, but I have completed the book so quickly because the book made me to continue read until the end. This book is an autobiography written by the Apollo 11's pilot Michael Collins, and the book talks about the life of Collins as an astronaut. He talks about what he have done in the space with Apollo 11 and Gemeni 10. The major reason why I liked this book is that my dream is becoming a fighter pilot. Michael Collins started his journey as a fighter pilot, then he transferred to an astronaut when NASA wanted astronauts for the first time. He is one of the pioneers of American astronaut. I got some good quotations from Michael Collins while I read this book, and it made me to dream more in becoming the fighter pilot. Reading book was a total new experience, and it gave me many inspirations. My dream is not an astronaut, but my dream is still related to flight, a fighter pilot. When I read this book, I got some compelling informations from the author Michael Collins. Michael was very talented astronaut and fighter pilot. When I get older, I want to become a pilot like Michael Collins, or even better than him in the flight.
April 6, 2019
I think the theme for this book is follow your dreams. He starts out as a little kid who got to fly an airplane, then he goes on to get a test pilot job, and is then recruited for NASA. It is really cool to see his first time in space and how he went through a process of trial and error. Then he is able to be one of the first people on moon and is fluent in how he controls the spaceship.
July 23, 2020
I am really enjoying learning about my new favorite astronaut, Michael Collins. This is a young reader version of his memoir Carrying The Fire which I hope to tackle at a later date. Although geared for kids, this is easily accessible for adults as well. Astronaut Collins offers great insight in his experiences as an astronaut. He discusses his beginnings as a test pilot and transition to being selected in the third group of astronauts. His perspectives on both his Gemini X and Apollo 11 missions were very interesting. He ends the book discussing his vision of space future, which 50 years later, we have yet to see to fruition( He was encouraged by the relative quick succession from the Wright Brothers first flight to Apollo 11's moon landing, some 65 years or close to it). I read the 1976 version of this book, so he made have added some notes to the 50th anniversary edition.
July 21, 2015
Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story by Michael Collins was published as a book intended for younger readers. However, I enjoyed it every bit as much as a younger reader will. The author does a great job chronicling much about space flight, from its beginnings, to the moon landing of Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969. The complicated science of space flight as made much more understandable thanks to the author's use of simple language.
I chose to read this book as a personal way to commemorate the first moon landing because I remember that day so vividly, and I wanted to honor that day in some way. I recommend this book to young readers and adults, alike. A most enjoyable and informative read!
I chose to read this book as a personal way to commemorate the first moon landing because I remember that day so vividly, and I wanted to honor that day in some way. I recommend this book to young readers and adults, alike. A most enjoyable and informative read!
April 22, 2022
What a treat. He was, in many aspects of life, a very special person.
December 30, 2018
Mike Collins was a great astronaut, and now as a senior spaceman his unique experiences and homespun nature are perfect to talk to young adults. It is apparent that young people were the intended audience for this book, though I didn’t know that when I bought it.
While it is more simplistic than I expected, it was still an enjoyable read and Collins’ perspectives are there for the taking. And his messages are very, very valuable, especially when people have forgotten or never learned the greater lessons we learned by going to the moon. These lessons include not quitting when things turn difficult or even tragic, how tiny and fragile our blue planet really is, that dreams only become reality when a person, or a country, has a plan and a timetable.
I recommend this book.
While it is more simplistic than I expected, it was still an enjoyable read and Collins’ perspectives are there for the taking. And his messages are very, very valuable, especially when people have forgotten or never learned the greater lessons we learned by going to the moon. These lessons include not quitting when things turn difficult or even tragic, how tiny and fragile our blue planet really is, that dreams only become reality when a person, or a country, has a plan and a timetable.
I recommend this book.
February 25, 2026
This book was really inspiring for me as it really proved that astronauts aren’t inherently superhuman but just regular people who worked incredibly hard to get where they were. Michael Collins set a really familiar tone throughout the book and it felt like I got to know him; he played jokes on Houston control, had bets with one of the training instructors during Apollo 11, picked a job role that wasn’t math-heavy because he wasn’t great at math, and felt really down to earth and relatable. His commentary at the end was also really good and set a really hopeful tone for the future achievements we may one day acquire.
May 14, 2019
This is a re-release of Michael Collins autobiography and it's fascinating. It tells about his interest in flight and how he ended up as a test pilot and then as a part of the test program. The last chapter has just been added and it describes how Mr. Collins believes the space program should continue, which shows what an intelligent and insightful man he is. This will make a great addition to our library.
April 23, 2020
Mike Collins really has a gift for writing. This book is similar to Carrying the Fire, which I'm still reading, but it's Juvenile Fiction. There were three groups of pictures in the book, which I enjoyed and some of which were new to me.
Now I'm wondering if the 'Other Strange Places' the he talks about in the last chapter will end up at the end of Carrying the Fire as well.
Now I'm wondering if the 'Other Strange Places' the he talks about in the last chapter will end up at the end of Carrying the Fire as well.
October 29, 2023
I would not call this book “entrancing” unless you are a big fan of space travel and astronauts. It was interesting, especially the second half of the book. It was just not as interesting to me and I ended up skimming some parts. I can see kids who love space enjoying the facts and skills it takes to be an astronaut.
July 27, 2019
Truly remarkable
Michael Collins has made the NASA experience understandable while keeping the thrill of discovery alive. While written for a young audience it was informative and delightful to read as an adult.
Michael Collins has made the NASA experience understandable while keeping the thrill of discovery alive. While written for a young audience it was informative and delightful to read as an adult.
September 15, 2019
Charming, all-ages account of Collins' experience as an astronaut and his thoughts about the space program.
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December 16, 2019aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
June 20, 2021
Great update in 2019 of the original from 1976, for all of us dreamers of being astronauts, too late for Apollo and too early for Artemis. Thanks to Captain Collins for his legacy
July 31, 2021
Fantastic. The writing is almost poetic at some points and it gives a crystal clear insight into mankind's greatest adventure.
December 16, 2021
A very enjoyable book simple to the point in a fun read
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May 5, 2023Paired with Bonnie's Rocket by Emeline Lee (TP)
December 10, 2025
I found Collins to be a surprisingly, good writer, in general. Very down to earth and pulling no punches.
February 1, 2026
Have had a love for space.
Picked this up and enjoyed it.
Reading about what Michael, went through to become an astronaut is very interesting.
Picked this up and enjoyed it.
Reading about what Michael, went through to become an astronaut is very interesting.
July 20, 2019
This was a fascinating autobiography with great messages. Collins did an excellent job narrating his experiences as an astronaut. The elements leading up to the Apollo 11 mission were very interesting. It was great to get a look into the science and the work that astronauts do. I particularly enjoyed learning about the training astronauts go through before they can go up into space.
I received a copy from Fierce Read’s Countdown to Liftoff Sweepstakes.
I received a copy from Fierce Read’s Countdown to Liftoff Sweepstakes.
November 15, 2019
How great is it that you can read a book written by one of the first three men who actually flew to the moon? Michael Collins writes this book mostly for a young reader (he has a version for adults too), and it is mostly an engaging read.
Collins gives you his background, what his interests were like as a child, how he came to try out for NASA, his experiences with flying, and then finally his trip to the moon. There are some parts that are a bit boring, but mostly this is an interesting account of Collins and the space program during its formative years as the progress to fulfill President Kennedy's goal of making it to the moon by the end of the 1960's decade. The most interesting chapter, by far, is the chapter when they make it to the moon, and what Collins was thinking about as he is orbiting the moon, watching Armstrong and Aldrin down on the surface of the moon.
A short book, but compelling and to the point. There are also some nice photos in the book. Definitely worth the read. Glad that I picked it up!
Collins gives you his background, what his interests were like as a child, how he came to try out for NASA, his experiences with flying, and then finally his trip to the moon. There are some parts that are a bit boring, but mostly this is an interesting account of Collins and the space program during its formative years as the progress to fulfill President Kennedy's goal of making it to the moon by the end of the 1960's decade. The most interesting chapter, by far, is the chapter when they make it to the moon, and what Collins was thinking about as he is orbiting the moon, watching Armstrong and Aldrin down on the surface of the moon.
A short book, but compelling and to the point. There are also some nice photos in the book. Definitely worth the read. Glad that I picked it up!
August 17, 2011
I really like this book. I found it when I was looking for a travelogue set in space. This isn't quite that - a lot of the book is pilot and astronaut training here on earth, getting ready to go into space. However, that isn't irrelevant. Besides, I think this will be about as close as we get until we can send a travel writer up there. I especially like that Michael Collins wrote it himself; he didn't tell someone what he'd like them to write up for him, like some other astronauts have done. He wrote it himself, and did a good job, in my opinion. {SMILE}
January 23, 2017
The book really explained to me what space was all about, and kept me immersed the entire time. The book could have been a little more clear, for much of the information was confusing. I have always wondered what space was like, and this book told me. The book was informational, while also being interesting enough to keep the reader's attention. I recommend this book for people ages 11 to 15. Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
March 17, 2015
Very interesting! Loved learning about how astronauts are picked (usually military test pilots), how they learn about space exploration (have teams that research this or that), etc. Listened to the book while driving back from dance over the last couple of weeks. Has made me more interested in learning about the planned trip to Mars in 2020?
July 15, 2025
~ 5 Stars ~
Basic Plot: This book is about Michael Collins, and his career with NASA.
My Thoughts: I love this book so so much. I remember when I read it for the first time, in 5th grade. The book is written very well, and is enjoyable for all ages. Collins talks about his career with NASA, and various training that he did. I definitely recommend this book to everyone!
Basic Plot: This book is about Michael Collins, and his career with NASA.
My Thoughts: I love this book so so much. I remember when I read it for the first time, in 5th grade. The book is written very well, and is enjoyable for all ages. Collins talks about his career with NASA, and various training that he did. I definitely recommend this book to everyone!
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January 19, 2012I was watching Apollo eleven one day and I went and got this book and started reading it. the book had so much in common with the Movie of Apollo 11. I started reading it right after I finished watching the movie
March 26, 2012
The story of Michael Collins life as an astronaut with his trips on Gemini 10 and as the pilot of the command module on Apollo 11 when Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon. Written more for kids to read and understand, he explains a lot of things very well. A huge part of our history.
December 4, 2007
This was a great book! It is about Michael Collins and all of the training and stuff he went through from being a test pilot to flying to the moon on Apollo 11.
January 6, 2013
The moon landing and the lead-up are fascinating, but his other musings, not as much.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews