Review: Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon by Buzz Aldrin and Ken Abraham

Title: Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon
Authors: Buzz Aldrin and Ken Abraham
Publisher: Crown Archetype
Publication Date: June 23, 2009
Edition: ebook (338 pages)

Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon by Buzz Aldrin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Buzz Aldrin was the second man to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969. He recounts his experiences during that Apollo 11 mission in 'Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon'. This is a candid autobiography.

As I read this book, I realized how shallow I have been in my thinking of people such as Dr. Aldrin. Achievement of great things is one part of his life, and like all of us, personal struggles are also a part of his life. His struggles include alcoholism and depression. He is an overcomer--and though it took him a while to begin to deal with these difficult aspects of his life, he finally addressed them. I applaud him for writing about them openly and with candor.

I also marvel at Dr. Aldrin's passion for space exploration which he still advocates today. This book is an example of triumph over adversity that doesn't quit. It also does not underplay human failings, so it is real life, not just a glossy representation of it.