Definitely grab this book!

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Wow. Just, wow.

This memoir is a page-turner from start to finish, and I appreciated that it wasn't structured chronologically, but rather followed Kelly's storytelling with flashbacks and flashforwards to create a riveting narrative.

Endurance is not just about Kelly's time on the ISS, but also delves into the training that led up to his becoming an astronaut. All of Kelly's experiences, from his time as an EMT on an ambulance to his career in the military flying fighter jets, contributed to his skill of calm focus in the face of extremes necessary to command the ISS. He also gives credit to those who molded and guided him on his journey, including his mom, who became the first female police officer in their home town of West Orange, New Jersey.

As "civilians," we're fortunate to have this intimate glimpse into day-to-day life in space, and how the astronaut-adventurers come together to handle adversities, from space walk repairs to those dreaded phone calls from earth that something may be wrong with their loved ones back home. Endurance provides food for thought about our relationships with other nations and how precious our home planet truly is.

I had to carry a book of tape flags with me while reading this because I had to mark so many eye-opening passages that I didn't want to forget. I tortured my family with expositions and factoids that began, "Listen to this, I read in Scott Kelly's book . . . "

Without a doubt, you want to read this.

Many thanks to BookishFirst and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for the copy in exchange for my honest review.