Seize the Moment: The autobiography of Britain's first astronaut

by Helen Sharman, Christopher Priest

Helen Sharman was born in 1963 and was in primary school when man first landed on the Moon. She trained as a scientist and in 1989, when working as a research technologist for Mars Ltd, she heard about Project Juno (an agreement under which the UK would fly a cosmonaut on a Soviet/UK space flight) on the radio, whilst driving home from work. She jotted down the phone number as she waited at traffic lights, and then found herself on a list of thousands. But she made it to the short-list of four, and her final selection put paid to suggestions that she was the "token woman". Helen travelled three million miles in space with Soviet cosmonauts, on a successful mission that also had its share of controversy, and in this book she tells her story.

Genres: Nonfiction, Space

189 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Sam Swash · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Helen Sharman, Britain's first cosmonaut, is a fascinating tale. A chemist working for Mars Confectionary, Sharman entered a radio competition for the chance to go to space with the Soviets, and was successful in being chosen.

I'm quite surprised Sharman isn't a better known figure in the UK, given both her achievement and the captivating nature of how it came about.

Sharman's account is a personal and human one, and that's what makes it inspiring - a seemingly ordinary life becoming extraordinary.

Four stars only because the non-chronological sequencing of the chapters didn't really work for me.

[Jubilado · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple acount of Helen Sharman's selection, training and experience of being in space. There are alternating chapters of the preparation for and the experience of getting to and back from the space station. The details are fascinating. There is no journalistic hyperboli. This is a valuabe record.

[Pat (ू•ᴗ•ू❁) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Este es el libro que ha cortado la buenísima racha de lectura que llevaba teniendo desde enero, y que he tardado dos meses en acabar. Aún así, me ha gustado. La experiencia de Helen Sharman como primera astronauta británica y sobre todo, el hecho de serlo en el programa espacial soviético, es muy interesante. Y el libro en sí no es largo, sabe el material que tiene para contar y no se excede. El problema creo que ha sido el estilo narrativo y la edición. La temática de los capítulos se intercala y no sigue un orden líneal, y los temas que a mí más me interesaban no son tan prominentes como esperaba.
O quizá es que tenía demasiado idealizado lo que es ser astronauta.
Pero lo dicho, a pesar de todo esto me alegro de haberlo leído y no quedarme con la curiosidad.

[Sophia Knowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a beautiful and incrediblebook. I have met Helen Sharman in real life and she is such a lovely person and so inspiring. My favourite quote from the book is:
"Yes you can go," he said. "But there is an exception to what I just said. You do have an illness that you will suffer from in the future. I'm afraid it's incurable." He closed his notepad. "Cosmonauts never recover from it. It's a longing to go back."
That line hit me.

[Mjke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked me in from beginning to end. A wonderful account of the selection, training and mission, as well as of the unexpected motivations and decision path that led to Helen Sharman becoming Britain's first person in space. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in space or in driven and interesting people.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting read, HS Britain's first astronaut. Her experience of 18 training months of being poked and prodded, learning Russian, physical training and having to endure a relentless intrusive press all for 8 days onboard the Mir station, her determination and endurance (and ability to keep a level head) are staggering to all us armchair astronauts.

We are so used to seeing these training regimes from a slick well funded American perspective its interesting to see it from the russian side it did come across as a bit "belt & braces".

A very interesting read from such an admirable woman who indeed siezed the moment.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensational.
The UK's first but often overlooked astronaut. I don't really like autobiographies but this one was so fascinating and was laid out in a format that made the book easy to consume within one single evening.
Helen talks about her application process, how she was chosen, how she trained, what it was like to travel to space and then how she got home again. It is so human and written by such a 'normal' person, that she makes you believe anyone can touch the stars.
100% worth a read for anyone who loves space - she's so honest and her positivity, and friendly demeanor really shines through.