Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon

Another chapter in the life of astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Owning and having read two other volumes by Aldrin, I was hoping for more insight. This book is a summary of the his earlier work, describing his ongoing battle with depression, alcohol and failed relationships. He sounds truly happy at the end of the book. If one is not familiar with his early books I would say read this. If you have read...more

Another chapter in the life of astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Owning and having read two other volumes by Aldrin, I was hoping for more insight. This book is a summary of the his earlier work, describing his ongoing battle with depression, alcohol and failed relationships. He sounds truly happy at the end of the book. If one is not familiar with his early books I would say read this. If you have read his other books, one might want to pass.   hide

Great book mostly about Buzz Aldrin's life since walking on the moon 40 years ago. Details include his struggle post-moon walk with depression and alcoholism, as well as conquering them and going on to be the foremost space advocate former astronaut in history. Fast read!

It's as tragedy I couldn't bring myself to finish this book. I'm quite interested in the origins of the space program and even acted in a play in 08 about astronauts. However, Ken Abraham, the co-writer, fell down on the job here, allowing Buzz to prattle on needlessly, use inconsistent composition and simply not engage the reader. A stop on the post-moon landing PR tour resulted in students...more

It's as tragedy I couldn't bring myself to finish this book. I'm quite interested in the origins of the space program and even acted in a play in 08 about astronauts. However, Ken Abraham, the co-writer, fell down on the job here, allowing Buzz to prattle on needlessly, use inconsistent composition and simply not engage the reader. A stop on the post-moon landing PR tour resulted in students pelting the astronauts with fruit in protest of the Vietnam War. Buzz's reaction - how "sad". No further analysis required. Really? Crafting a successful narrative, whether memoir or fiction, requires insight into the narrator, events and other characters. In this respect, Mr. Aldrin simply fails.   hide

The first thing to remember is that Buzz isn't a modest sort of guy, but why should he be after his great achievement. The first two thirds of this book are very engaging, dealing with his moon landing and subsequent difficulties after his return to Earth. The final third is a homage to his third wife, Lois. It can be schmalzy in the extreme. An entire chapter is devoted to Lois's...more

The first thing to remember is that Buzz isn't a modest sort of guy, but why should he be after his great achievement. The first two thirds of this book are very engaging, dealing with his moon landing and subsequent difficulties after his return to Earth. The final third is a homage to his third wife, Lois. It can be schmalzy in the extreme. An entire chapter is devoted to Lois's life prior to her meeting Buzz. I am amazed that the publisher allowed him to do this. Overall, Buzz has a great story to recount and the book is worth a read.   hide

I started the book thinking I'd learn more about a childhood hero (growing up as a boy in the late 60s and 70s, there were few men with the stature of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin). What I had when I finished included: how to deal with being second, an honest approach on depression from someone who has beaten it every day for decades, hope and better understanding for a family...more

I started the book thinking I'd learn more about a childhood hero (growing up as a boy in the late 60s and 70s, there were few men with the stature of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin). What I had when I finished included: how to deal with being second, an honest approach on depression from someone who has beaten it every day for decades, hope and better understanding for a family member fighting alcoholism, a perspective on what happened during the Apollo years, a perspective on how the planet should approach future space exploration (I now believe Buzz Aldrin is an ancestor of the future James T. Kirk), and an idea on the kinds of emotions astronauts feel when entering orbit and beyond. I somehow hoped to have a better understanding of what it is like to have an action figure named after you, though. Great book with a few slow spots.   hide

I thought this was going to be another predictable space autobiography, I've read a lot of them and don't get me wrong, it is my favorite topic and I am always blown away by the achievements made, but this one was totally different. The Apollo stuff is pretty much covered and there is still a lot of the book left, I didn't know what it was going to be about. It turns out old Buzz...more

I thought this was going to be another predictable space autobiography, I've read a lot of them and don't get me wrong, it is my favorite topic and I am always blown away by the achievements made, but this one was totally different. The Apollo stuff is pretty much covered and there is still a lot of the book left, I didn't know what it was going to be about. It turns out old Buzz (who I saw in person a few months ago!) battled depression after coming back from the moon. So the book describes that battle and just what it is like to go from stepping on the moon to trying to live the rest of your life in the shadow of that.   hide

After the first chapter, the book is exceptionally depressing.