Review: Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut

Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut by Mike Mullane
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

RIDING ROCKETS was one of those books I expected to be among my favorite reads of 2020. Mike Mullane writes candidly about his life and being part of the crew of the first flight of the space shuttle Discovery. From that perspective, it is well written and informative, especially concerning the culture at NASA during his time there.

The reason I gave this book less than a stellar rating is because of the constant emphasis, it seems to me, on the feminine/masculine divide or differences, and his own attitudes about women. Naturally, I expected some frank discussion of the subject, but it was a constant that grated on me and took so much away from both the process and risks of space flight and my overall enjoyment of the book. I was relieved to finish reading it. That continual sarcasm, mail chauvinism, whatever term you choose to apply, always has, and always will, leave a very bad taste in my mouth. And, it is the dominant impression I am left with from these pages, though I'm certain that was not the author's intent. As a reader, if you can set this aspect aside, you'll find the book interesting.

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