Wonders All Around: The Incredible True Story of Astronaut Bruce McCandless II and the First Untethered Flight in Space

by Bruce McCandless III

The Man You Never Knew You Knew

It’s one of the most powerful and popular images in the history of space exploration: an astronaut in a snow-white spacesuit, untethered and floating alone in an expanse of blue. Bruce McCandless II is the man in that spacesuit, and Wonders All Around: The Incredible True Story of Astronaut Bruce McCandless II and the First Untethered Flight in Space is the thoroughly engrossing, extensively researched story of his inspiring life and groundbreaking accomplishments, as told by his son, a gifted writer and storyteller.

Bruce McCandless II, a Navy fighter pilot, joined NASA in 1966. He was Houston’s capsule communicator—the person talking to the astronauts—as Apollo 11’s Neil Armstrong made his giant leap for mankind in 1969. McCandless supported subsequent Apollo flights and developed technology and techniques his fellow astronauts used during the Skylab program, working behind the scenes until he was chosen to ride Challenger into space on the tenth shuttle mission. When he stepped into the cosmos to test the Manned Maneuvering Unit, he became a space flight icon. But the road to that incredible feat was not the sure bet it should have been for such a gifted man.

Bruce McCandless II was an astronaut for 24 years, and his story encompasses the development of the space agency itself—the changes in focus, in personnel, in approach, and in the city of Houston that grew up with it.

Wonders All Around is more than a catalogue of McCandless’s extraordinary achievements, which included work on the design, deployment, and repair of the Hubble Space Telescope. It is also a tale of perseverance and devotion.

Recounted with insight and humor, this book explores the relationship between a father and a son, men of two very different generations. And finally, it is an exploration of the mindset of one unique individual, and the courage, imagination, and tenacity that propelled him and his country to their place in the forefront of space history. 

From Wonders All Around: 

"Bruce McCandless turned his Jeep around and screeched out of the cul-de-sac in front of our house for the ten-minute drive to the space center. The moon, a waxing crescent, was standing thirty degrees above the western horizon, and my father slipped into a sort of reverie as he sped toward it on NASA Road One. The moon floated serene and imperturbable in front of him like a black-and-white photograph of itself, Earth’s gravitational remora, her pale silent sister, movie star and legend, goddess and mirage. Bruce McCandless had just turned thirty-two. He was an engineer, a true son of science, a distant nephew of Sir Isaac Newton. He knew the formulas required for achieving orbital velocity, could tell you the fuel mixtures you needed, the stages and timing of rocket-booster separations. He brushed sentiments away like so many spider webs. But even he was having trouble believing that human beings—his colleagues and friends—were up there in the sky, getting ready to do something no one had ever done before. He was going to be part of it. He would be talking to two men as they walked on the moon. The young astronaut hadn’t quite reached his lifelong goal of touching the lunar surface, but he was close. He was almost there.

He could feel it."

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Biography, History, Memoir, Travel, Space

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2021

About the author

Bruce McCandless III is the author of the biography Wonders All Around: The Incredible True Story of Astronaut Bruce McCandless II and the First Free Flight in Space, an Amazon bestseller that was named a Best Book of 2021 by both Men's Journal and Kirkus Reviews. Wonders All Around is first and foremost a relationship story about a family caught up in a father's ambitions, disappointments, and struggle for professional redemption, all as played out against the real-life drama of America's manned space program in the Apollo, Skylab, and early Shuttle years.

A lifelong Texan, Bruce is also the author of the interlinked historical horror novels In the Land of Dead Horses, Sour Lake, and The Black Book of Cyrenaica, as well as a modern fairy tale for pre-teens called Beatrice and the Basilisk. Named Austin's Poet Laureate by the Austin American-Statesman in 2000, he has published poems, stories, and essays in The Seattle Review, The Asian Wall Street Journal, Pleiades, Bayou, and other journals.

With his daughter Carson, Bruce wrote Carson Clare's Trail Guide to Avoiding Death (And Other Unpleasant Consequences), a book of poems for middle-schoolers that Indie Reader gave a perfect 5.0 score and that Kirkus Reviews calls an "amusing and friendly handbook" with "delightful verse and surprisingly useful tips." Bruce and Carson also teamed up to write Beatrice at Bay (2020), a Beatrice sequel that Kirkus touts as "an often thrilling and nuanced fantasy novella."

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

I find it fitting I finished reading this book on July 20th, the 52nd anniversary of Apollo 11, the mission that landed man on the moon, and the one that Bruce McCandless worked as CapCom. As a bit of a space junkie, although I've sadly let that interest wane in the recent years, I'm embarrassed to admit that Mr. McClandless is one astronaut I wasn't really familiar with, although I've definitely seen his iconic photo!

At times both entertaining and educational, Wonders All Around: The Incredible True Story of Astronaut Bruce McCandless II and the First Untethered Flight in Space, is a must read for fans of the Space Race, space exploration in general, and for a look into the human spirit. Mr. McCandless is a man who never gave up on his dream, even though that dream didn't quite come to fruition in the way he hoped.

I really enjoyed learning about Mr. McCandless, both the man and the astronaut. I appreciated the care and the detail his son put into this book, painting a picture of his father that really brought him to life. From his early years until his death in 2017, Wonders All Around takes us on a journey through the ups & downs and the highs & lows of Mr. Candless's life, while also giving us a glimpse into the life of an astronaut's family. At one point while reading I made an update that I wish photos had been included in the book, and I was happy to find when I got to the end of the ebook that there were in facts photos! A bonus would have been if they had been interspersed in the chapters they related to, but it was nice to see them nevertheless.

Every time I read a book on the Space Race, whether it's one about a particular astronaut or just that period in general, it makes me wish I had been around during that time, to have been able to experience the excitement and wonder of it all. With Wonders All Around: The Incredible True Story of Astronaut Bruce McCandless II and the First Untethered Flight in Space, the reader's been given a chance to see into a life that most of us will never live.

Onward!

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

A biography of the astronaut who never made it to the moon, but managed to be the first untethered space walker. He was a bit of an odd duck, but was a fighter pilot, an engineer, an astronaut and an inventor, among other things.

There's a lot of interesting stuff. The book only bogs down when the author tells about his own life. I don't really need to read about some teenager whining about mowing the lawn.

[Gabriela Zago · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always find fascinating reading biographies of famous people, to see how they were regular humans too besides doing the thing that made them famous. This one is special because it was written by his son - Bruce McCandless III telling the story of Bruce McCandless II, his father and astronaut.
I didn’t know exactly who he was before starting to read this book. But I definitely saw him before - the iconic image of an astronaut in a spacesuit. His picture is part of the imaginary of many people when they think about an astronaut. And yet he almost didn’t make it into space - during most missions, he was left on the Earth. Even when men stepped on the moon, he was the astronaut in the command center on the ground making sure everything was ok up there.
The book is interesting as it shows how his life unfolded and how his personal choices ended up shaping his career.

[Susan Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting memoir about the author's father who worked at NASA for about 18 years before he was finally picked to go on two space missions as an astronaut in 1984 and 1990. Among other things, the memoir delves into his father's involvement in developing & using the jet backpack (MMU) for space free flight, and his development & deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope (as well as his role fixing it). It's a lovely tribute to a gifted, intelligent, and productive man who was at foremost a scientist, engineer, and inventor. The memoir provides good context of the space program's history, the era of the 1960s thru 1990s, technological developments, and his family's lives during those times. NASA and space buffs will especially enjoy reading this book.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was superb. It was a riveting read right from the start. I was a bit confused by the family tree during the war years and would have benefited from a family tree in the book. But that did not deter from the substance of this biography at all. Reading this book is like meeting a fascinating person while getting coffee, or in line at the store. You listen with wonder, soaking up every word, wanting more when it's over.

I was fascinated with the military, science, and space history. At no point was it too difficult to understand; the author did a great job of making all the details easy enough to absorb. The history of the space program is also one of the best I've ever read.

Bruce McCandless had a fascinating life and helped significantly advance our existing space program, first with the MMU and later the deployment and space fixes of the Hubble. The pictures included round out the life detailed in the book, and the iconic photo of Bruce McCandless' untethered flight in space still took my breath away. The astronaut's son public love letter to his childhood, family, the McCandless name, space program and of course his father.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to the publisher and Goodreads for the giveaway of this Kindle book in exchange for my honest review.

I'm 40% finished, and couldn't wait to review this wonderful biography. Lovingly written by the son of Bruce McCandless II, there is a lot to discover and enjoy. The easy, conversational, sometimes funny style in which Mr. McCandless III takes us through his family's journey through the space program, is something any reader is sure to enjoy. There is a lot of scientific information, imparted in a way that is easy to understand and not at all burdensome for the space fan and non-fan alike.

Don't take my word for it; read for yourself. This book is a wonderful all around!

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of eBook

Navy fighter pilot Bruce McCandless II joined NASA as part of Astronaut Group 5 in 1966; three years later, he served as the capsule communicator [capcom] for Apollo 11 when Neil Armstrong and “Buzz” Aldrin walked on the moon. As he worked and trained, he hoped, but McCandless had no idea when he could expect a crew assignment. So, despite the frustration of not being chosen as part of a crew, he continued to train until, some eighteen years later, he would finally be selected as part of a shuttle flight crew.

That first flight, STS-41B aboard Space Shuttle “Challenger,” launched on 03 February 1984 and placed Bruce firmly in the pages of space history as, four days later, he made the first untethered spacewalk [traveling some three hundred twenty feet away from the Orbiter] in Earth orbit with the Manned Maneuvering Unit. The iconic photograph of the astronaut, seemingly hanging in space, continues to inspire today.

Six years later, McCandless flew into space once again, this time on 24 April 1990 aboard Space Shuttle “Discovery” as part of the STS-31 crew responsible for deploying the Hubble Space Telescope. His long and storied career both in and out of NASA, is an inspiring story of hopes, disappointments, frustration, and persistence.

This book . . . part memoir, part family biography, part American space history . . . serves as a loving, heartfelt tribute to a supremely talented man who dreamed of spaceflight even as it reveals the complexities of growing up in the McCandless family. Readers can compare events in McCandless’s life with various NASA events, creating a unique dual timeline of events in the astronaut’s life and in NASA’s programs.

The inspiring story of Bruce McCandless’s life, both professional and family, creates a compelling, can’t-put-it-down reading experience.

A montage of photographs, both family and NASA, are included in the book.

Also included: a list of notable dates related to Bruce McCandless’s life that highlight his dedication to the space program as well as his perseverance as he strove to accomplish his goals.

Highly recommended, especially for space enthusiasts.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Greenleaf Book Group and NetGalley
#WondersAllAround #NetGalley

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never been more fascinated by Space

This book made me wish I had had more conversations with my Grandad. He worked for NASA at one point in his life. Maybe he crossed paths with Bruce II.

The way the author describes his father sometimes in this book makes me think of Eugene from TWD. Just because of described social skills and how intelligent he was.

Anyway, I loved this book. Another Giveaways win from Goodreads and I am so happy I finally picked it up! If you are in anyway interested in the Space Sciences, then pick up this book. The best thing I loved about it was that you get to see inside the life of an Astronaut. This book kept me turning the pages because I wanted to learn more and made me cry at the end because of the heartfelt writing about the Author's father.

We all strive to live up to our Father's and Mother's legacies. I know I do.

10/10 would recommend. I'd say top 5 in the non-fictions I have read over the years.

[Hemenover · Rating 4 out of 5]

“He was never a noun. He was always a verb.” Bruce McCandless III‘s story explains his father’s role in the space program; but, more than that, it introduces readers to Bruce McCandless II as the man that he was in his daily life. Throughout this book, the author shares anecdotes about the ways in which McCandless II overcame odds, pursued goals with a sense of tenacity, and believed he could—even if others doubted him.

This is an informative read for anyone who is interested in the space program and NASA. Not only is the story about the first untethered flight in space amazing and truly awesome, but it also inspires us to continue to push ourselves onward.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Read Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a GoodReads giveaway of a Kindle ebook.

I have always had a fascination with space exploration. Told by the son, this is a very enjoyable tribute to his family. And I even have the refrigerator magnet of Bruce in his MMU "hanging around" as I fiddle around in my workshop making things. I like thinking that this engineer is watching over me, even if my level of innovation far pales in comparison to his.

Bruce was also a key builder of the Hubble telescope. So every time I now look at a Hubble generated photo, I will again thank him for being the great and persistent engineer that he was.

And I especially liked the quote from the book. "He was never a noun. He was always a verb."

This was a GoodReads.

[Patrick Cosgrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruce McCandless’s first memoir after half a dozen superb novels, two books for teens, and several poetry collections may be his finest literary achievement yet. Wonders All Around is the meticulously researched account of his of his father’s (also Bruce McCandless) remarkable career as an iconic NASA astronaut, as well as their often complicated relationship.

Wonders all Around could actually be two books: A pin point history of the space program with fascinating anecdotes about key figures in the history of NASA, from the most famous astronauts to behind the scenes scientists unknown to only hardcore aficionados of the space program. Then you have a no frills, deeply personal story of father and son.

McCandless’s attention to detail is impressive. Writing of events decades ago, one might think he has terabyts of info hidden away on a NASA super computer accessible with his dad’s password. A stellar example is a passage recounting a harrowing event from early in his dad’s career when his attempt to land a jet fighter on a carrier miles out at sea went terribly wrong:

“The ocean came up as fast and as hard as a cement floor. McCandless was three feet under the Mediterranean by the time he realized he’d made impact. When he fought his way back up, he was relieved to see his chute had collapsed and now floated like a dead sea creature not far from him. This was important because it was not unknown for a parachute to billow in the wind and drag a pilot through the water until he drowned.”

In short, this is the work of a skilled writer with a firm command of his craft. This book has the “right stuff.” You might also take into consideration--as you can see from the photo on the book jacket—that McCandless exudes the warmth and personality of a Dublin barkeep.

Get this book and read it: You’ll be glad you did.

p. cos

[mib6475654 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover of space and space exploration, I really loved everything about this book! Wonders All Around is an excellent biography of the first untethered flight in space and an excellent tale of Bruce McCandless II's achievements and the road to the first untethered space flight. A definite must-read for lovers of space!

[Scott Kardel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This deeply personal look at the life of astronaut Bruce McCandless II was written by his son. While a son may not always be the best choice for a biographer Bruce McCandless III has put together an excellent look at the life and career of the first human to fly untethered in space. It is a very enjoyable book.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Equal parts memoir and biography, the author does an incredible job of interspersing scientific complexity with humor and an obvious love and pride for the indelible mark his father left in American space history.

[Carmelita M. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astronaut, and so much more

I loved this book,and the interesting facts that I had not known. Fast track to the space program and a brilliant man who couldn't let it go.Thanks for the enlightening info on your Dad!

[Laura H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well-researched and and genuinely written with pure love. Then it was sprinkled with humor and popculture references. The simple scientific explanations were fascinating. I want to go to space now!
I thank goodreads and the publisher for choosing me as a winner of this ebook. I definitely would recommend it and purchase it myself.

[Ashley Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great story told by a great author. I've been saving this one for a rainy day, and reading this after moving from houston to austin just made it a little bit more special.

[Mary Pauline M · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most enjoyable reads in 2021. A comprehensive biography on astronaut Bruce McCandless II and his career. Written in a very casual, easy-to-read style.

[Carol Custer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was happy to receive this book from the publisher and I'm glad to give my unbiased review.

I can't even imagine the courage it took to be untethered in space! That image is in all our minds and yet I admit I had totally forgotten the name of the man who first did it. It's wonderful that Bruce McCandless's son is sharing the story of his father. It's obvious how proud he is of him. What an interesting book!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways and am voluntarily leaving a review.

You probably don’t recognize the name Bruce McCandless II, but you know him. That photograph of an astronaut floating in space, Earth as the backdrop, and he’s just far enough away to make you catch your breath? That’s McCandless, and this is a book about him, told by his son with loving exasperation as only a son can. It feels like a fitting tribute to the man McCandless was, and it’s a fascinating look at a man, a family, an organization and a dream. It gets dry in spots—there are some technical details I definitely got cross-eyed reading—but it always comes back to center. Highly recommend.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read.

[Cameron Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

A love story to his father an American hero. Good read.

[Griselda Alvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story of a man who worked hard to make his dream of becoming an astronaut a reality. The story dives into his career and family life that led up to that moment. Written by his son, you can feel the admiration. love and respect he feels for his father. Thanks to Greenleaf Book Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behind the scenes at NASA

Often we hear stories or achievements of astronauts. But what do we know about the actual person? Who are they when they are at home? This book shows what Bruce McCandless was like as a co-worker, father, husband, capcom, pilot, animal lover, inventor, engineer, and astronaut.
#GoodreadsGiveaway

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonders All Around
The Incredible True Story of Astronaut Bruce McCandless II and the First Untethered Flight in Space
by Bruce McCandless III
Pub Date 13 Jul 2021
Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult) | Science



I was sent a copy of Wonders All Around from Greenleaf Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review which is as follows:




Most if not all are familiar with one of the most amazing and popular images in the history of space exploration: an astronaut in a snow-white spacesuit, untethered and floating alone in an expanse of blue.





But how many of us know about the man himself? In Wonders All Around his son gives us a glimpse into the life of Bruce McCandles the II.





Bruce McCandles II was a Navy fighter pilot, joined NASA in 1966. He was Houston’s capsule communicator—the person talking to the astronauts—as Apollo 11’s Neil Armstrong made his giant leap for mankind in 1969. McCandles would go to support subsequent Apollo flights and developed technology and techniques his fellow astronauts used during the Skylab program. He worked behind the scenes until he was chosen to ride Challenger into space on the tenth shuttle mission. When he stepped into the cosmos to test the Manned Maneuvering Unit, he became a space flight icon. But the road to that incredible feat was not the sure bet it should have been for such a gifted man.





Bruce McCandles the II spent 24 years as an astronaut, his story encompasses the development of the space agency itself the changes in focus, in personnel, in approach, and in the city of Houston that grew up with it.



Wonders All Around is not only a book about an astronaut though, it also explores the relationship between Father and Son, both from two very different generations with both humor and insight. It is also the exploration of the mindset of Bruce McCandles the II a man of individuality , and the courage, imagination, and tenacity that propelled him and his country to their place in the forefront of space history.




I give Wonders All Around five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Shelly Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting biography with a unique point of view. We all know the picture of Astronaut Bruce McCandless II
floating untethered in the most unforgiving space, but do we know the man? His life and experiences are revealed to us by his son, Bruce McCandless III, who admiittedly had a tenuous relationship with his father.

This is an intriguing family. The author introduces us not only to his father, but also a paternal lineage from his great-great grandfather killed by Wild Bill Hickok, through three generations of US Navy officers with a unique connection during WWII. It is an impressive and well decorated pedigree.

It's ironic that Bruce McCandless is best known for an iconic photo during his inaugural spaceflight in 1984, because McCandless, a member of 19-man strong Astronaut Group 5, expected to fly during Apollo, or ASTP, or Skylab. In Wonders All Around, the author, McCandless III, explores the reasoning behind always being in a support role and not in a flight role. Although most astronauts are defined by their flights, McCandless should be remembered for his outsanding contributions to the program on the ground. A consummate engineer and scientist, McCandless worked diligently on the MMU and the Hubble Space Telescope. The success of the HST repair can be directly attributed to his contributions.

A biography written by one's son means that the reader is privvy to an insiders perspective, with all its bias and introspections. The relationship between father and son is an interwoven thread within the story. While the son is a gifted wordsmith, the choice to insert his own path within the family story doesn't always work and at times shows a boy still vying for his father's attention and/or the spotlight.

I've already purchased this book for my own library and my father's, because in all the time I've worked with space history I'm a little embarrassed to admit I definitely did not take a good hard look at McCandless and understand the valuable role he played in the American Space Program. I strongly recommend this book.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not usually one to read memoirs of more contemporary people. I fully expected to like this book, what’s not to like about space and astronauts? What I didn’t expect was to become so invested in the McCandless story that I felt emotional by the end. That’s just simply not like me when it comes to nonfiction.

I absolutely attribute this to it being beautifully written. Obviously the bare facts of it laid the groundwork for emotional investment - an astronaut persevering for 18 years before their first flight is astounding, and I hadn’t any clue his importance in the Hubble mission - but author’s word choice and slightly non-chronological telling of the story really made it more than I expected.

[Johanna Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look into the life of the man who had the first untethered flight in space and how his career and family life led up to that moment. Story is told by the son and from memoirs.

What did I like? The world back then was so different as everyone was glued to the television watching Armstrong or the Challenger explosion. This is the first I’d even heard of an untethered space flight which sounds extremely daunting. The story is told in a chronological order of events that led up and even after the death of his father which by all accounts seemed to be a miraculous man. Some of the humor can only come from the accounts of a child growing up with such an intelligent and eccentric parent. The book was a great dedication to his love of his father who just wanted to be an astronaut.

Thanks Greenleaf Book Group for an advance copy to read and I voluntarily left a review!

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway***

If you don't love space you're wrong. I will not be taking questions on that point.

I adored this book. Bruce McCandless III wrote the story of his father's career in a way that only a son who loves and admires his father, while being of a thoroughly different breed, can. Bruce II was an astronaut, he helped develop the Hubble telescope, and was an enigma in many ways to his own family...particularly this son who majored in english literature and became a lawyer.

The writing style was perfect. Straightforward, factual, and not afraid to delve into the technical details...but overflowing with poetic language when the big moments in Bruce II's life came. The love the author has for his father, NASA, all the astronauts and their families that he knew, and mostly his mother is palpable but never sappy.

This was just a nice book. Learned some science and was reminded of what is good in our species.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a biography of the author's father, who was an amazing man and father. His father was an astronaut, wanting to go to the moon. Unfortunately, he wasn't chosen for an Apollo flight. So McCandless looked to work on technical projects at NASA. He and a few others worked on building a way to work outside of the capsule without a tether. McCandless and others worked for years on the MMU for astronaut's to maintain the Shuttle, satellites. The stylized picture of Bruce out in space became the photo for MTv. He was just 'hanging' out there in space when his collaborator took the shot of McCandless when he left the shuttle.
As McCandless aged, he stayed working in Marietta working on getting the Hubble telescope into to space. He was involved in the nuts and bolts of the telescope. McCandless was assigned to go on the shuttle mission to release the telescope into space.
The man did AWESOME things for the country and for the science of the Hubble. Amazing man!!