Monday 20 July 2009

To Infinity...

Magnificent Desolation - Buzz Aldrin

Buzz Aldrin stepped on to the surface of the moon twenty minutes after his commander on July 21st and while he claims to have no problems with this you really do have to wonder once you've read any of his books.

Aldrin wrote his first autobiography Return to Earth only four years after the moon landings. At the time he was battling depression and alcohilism as well as trying to come to terms with walking on the moon. Once you've walked on another planet where can you go from there?



To tie in with the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 he has written a new autobiography. This one concentrates far more on his life since 1969 but in parts is a re-write of his earlier book (and life?).

This new volume Magnificent Desolation was a far more enjoyable read, it is certainly a book about the man and not the mission but was interesting throughout. It had flashed of humour and in it Aldrin takes far more responsibility for himself than he did in the first book. I am pleased that 40 years on he does seem to have found a balance and happiness in his life.

Oh and yes Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story movies is named after Aldrin!

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