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Author
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Topic: Astronaut and space-related audio books
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capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 07-25-2006 07:18 PM
   
I recently picked up a copy of John Glenn's autobiography (with Nick Taylor) in audio book form (I already have a 1st edition autographed by Senator Glenn, but I picked up the audio book cheap, and it sounded like fun since it was read by John Glenn himself).I must admit, it was really very fun listening to John Glenn telling his life story himself... I could almost imagine I was sitting with him on his front porch listening to him talk! So: - If you can pick up a copy of Glenn's audio book, I highly recommend it!
- Does anyone know of any other space-program related audio books also read by the author?
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MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 07-25-2006 07:53 PM
Although read by others, there is Moonshot and Schirra's Space.I do agree with you that John Glenn reading his autobiography is awesome. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-25-2006 08:13 PM
quote:
Originally posted by capoetc:
does anyone know of any other space-program related audio books also read by the author?
Jim Lovell co-reads an abridged audiotape of "Lost Moon." Ed Mitchell reads an abridged audiotape of "The Way of the Explorer." Gene Cernan reads an abridged audiotape of "The Last Man on the Moon." I also know that there is an Apollo astronaut, who wrote one of the best autobiographies by far, recording an UNabridged version of his book this month... but I don't think the info. is public yet. It's sure to be a great one though! |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 04-20-2007 04:09 PM
An area library recently had a huge stash of audio books on its regular, permanent sale table but looking closely, most of them were abridged. I, personally, would prefer unabridged astronaut-read books, in case anyone with any influence on such things/publishers/producers should be reading this. Oh, and I think Jim Lovell also reads his book on tape too? |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 04-20-2007 05:40 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Gene:
Oh, and I think Jim Lovell also reads his book on tape too?
Yes - it's in my list earlier in this thread. |
dfox
Member Posts: 208
From: Scarsdale, NY, United States
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 10-08-2010 04:01 PM
Lately, I have been listening to audio versions of Astronaut autobiographies/space history books. This is a great way to pass the time on my commute.Thus far I have found the following books with audio versions: - Lost Moon (Lovell)
- Magnificent Desolation (Aldrin)
- Schirra's Space (Schirra)
- The All-American Boys (Cunningham)
They are all great in their own way.Is anyone aware of any other space related audio books out there? Editor's note: Threads merged. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 10-08-2010 04:02 PM
Gordon Cooper, Gene Cernan and John Glenn's autobiographies were released as audiobooks, as was Sally Ride's first book (and at least one later book, "The Third Planet"). Ed Mitchell's "Way of the Explorer" was also released as an audiobook.Cunningham's is the only memoir I know that is both unabridged and read by the author. Lovell's is interesting as, despite mostly being read by someone else, he occasionally breaks in first person to narrate himself. For books about, but not by, the spacefarer, Colin Burgess's "Teacher In Space" is also on CD. "First Man," about Armstrong, was released as an audiobook too. |
dfox
Member Posts: 208
From: Scarsdale, NY, United States
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 10-08-2010 04:02 PM
Oh yes, thanks. I forgot about Glenn's book! I have listened to that one. I will get the others. |
ASCAN1984
Member Posts: 1049
From: County Down, Nothern Ireland
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 10-09-2010 12:55 AM
Oh, and High Calling about Rick Husband read by Evelyn Husband. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 03-27-2011 03:55 AM
Unabridged audiobook of "Last Man On The Moon" is available on iTunes. Don't know how I missed it. I guess cassette sales are down. Good to hear Geno telling his stories again. Plus, you don't have to worry about misplacing your autographed copy.Don't know how I missed this one. One of my favorite autobiographies. Editor's note: Threads merged. |
Buel
Member Posts: 649
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 12-27-2012 11:11 AM
I have just been looking for Gene Cernan's audiobook version of his book and am pleasantly surprised to see that he narrates it too. To be honest, I'm not too keen on any of the astronaut's books on audiobook unless they are narrated by them.Please can I ask can anyone to supply a list of all the astronauts who do their own narrating on their books? Editor's note: Threads merged. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 12-27-2012 11:49 AM
I really enjoyed Walt Cunningham's read of "All American Boys" and thanks to this thread I just bought Cernan's audio book on iTunes.Thanks! |
Buel
Member Posts: 649
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 12-28-2012 03:24 AM
Okay, so far I have found the following information on audiobooks by astronauts.
Please feel free to post any others and I shall re-post the updated version.Audiobooks narrated by themselves: - Jim Lovell co-reads an abridged version of "Lost Moon."
- Ed Mitchell reads an abridged version of "The Way of the Explorer."
- Gene Cernan reads an abridged version of "The Last Man on the Moon."
- Walt Cunningham reads unabridged version of "The All-American Boys
- John Glenn reads an abridged version of "A Memoir"
Audiobooks NOT narrated by themselves: - Buzz Aldrin: Magnificent Desolation
- Wally Schirra: Scirra's's Space
- Gordon Cooper: Leap of Faith
- Neil Armstrong: First Man
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Buel
Member Posts: 649
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 04-03-2013 01:55 AM
Any others here, please?Where can I find Cernan's "Last Man on The Moon" audio book in the UK? I see on 'Audible' it is only available in the U.S. |
astrobar1
Member Posts: 112
From: Mishawaka, IN, USA
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 04-03-2013 07:07 AM
Ed Mitchell also has a 3-CD set on his website. It is a signed 3 Disc Box Set and Includes: - The View from Space, A Message of Peace
- To The Moon and Back I - An Extraordinary Journey
- To The Moon and Back II - Return To Home Planet
The last two are his narration of his Apollo 14 flight. I found them interesting. |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 04-03-2013 08:07 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Buel:
Where can I find Cernan's "Last Man on The Moon" audio book in the UK?
I think you can get a download via Amazon. Is that what you mean? |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 04-03-2013 09:21 AM
Chris (Tykeanaut) is correct. Click here to see the item on Amazon's UK store. |
Buel
Member Posts: 649
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 04-21-2013 05:08 PM
Ah, I've just seen that that is an mp3 CD that has to be delivered? Im after a download, if possible! |
Buel
Member Posts: 649
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 06-09-2013 02:06 AM
Hi again, so far I have found the following information on audiobooks by astronauts.
Please feel free to post any others and I shall re-post the updated version as since I originally posted this post there may have been more audiobooks released (For instance, Buzz has released his latest but, unfortunately, is not narrated by him):Audiobooks narrated by themselves: - Jim Lovell co-reads an abridged version of "Lost Moon."
- Ed Mitchell reads an abridged version of "The Way of the Explorer."
- The View from Space, A Message of Peace To The Moon and Back I - An Extraordinary Journey
- To The Moon and Back II - Return To Home Planet
- Gene Cernan reads an abridged version of "The Last Man on the Moon."
- Walt Cunningham reads unabridged version of "The All-American Boys
- John Glenn reads an abridged version of "A Memoir"
Audiobooks NOT narrated by themselves: - Buzz Aldrin: Magnificent Desolation
- Buzz Aldrin: Mission to Mars
- Wally Schirra: Scirra's's Space
- Gordon Cooper: Leap of Faith
- Neil Armstrong: First Man
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Rick
Member Posts: 379
From: Yadkinville, NC
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 06-13-2013 07:43 AM
Andy Chaikin's magnificent "A Man on the Moon" was available as an unabridged production on cassette tape several years ago. I've tried for quite some time now to find a downloadable version, but so far, the search has been in vain. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 06-13-2013 01:06 PM
The Cernan audio book on iTunes is unabridged. |
canyon42
Member Posts: 238
From: Ohio
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 06-13-2013 03:04 PM
Okay, potentially dumb question here, since I've never listened to an audio book, but why would anyone make — or more to the point, WANT — an "abridged" version? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-13-2013 04:08 PM
Before the days of digital delivery, abridged audio books cut down on the number of tapes or CDs you had to buy. Tape cassettes in particular were a consideration, both in terms of bulk and cost. |
RSimon007
Member Posts: 24
From: Saginaw, MI USA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 06-13-2013 10:03 PM
Sadly, even though it says unabridged in one section, the Audible.com version of "Last Man on the Moon" is the same abridged version that was originally released on cassette. It actually correctly states abridged in the description. It's better than many though in that it was originally a four cassette (vs. the standard two cassette) abridgement. It clocks in at a bit over five hours. If you look at other books with about the same pages, an unabridged reading would run about 12-14 hours. I drive a lot for my job so I love audiobooks. I've used my laptop, a portable cassette player and some free software called Audacity to convert all my space-related audio cassettes ("A Man on the Moon", Gordon Cooper's book, etc.) to MP3. Not only is it easy to do, the software actually "cleans" the audio and they sound much better than the source cassettes. My favorite is Chaiken's "A Man on the Moon." It's great writing and it's a good reader doing the recording. |
RSimon007
Member Posts: 24
From: Saginaw, MI USA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 06-13-2013 10:20 PM
"Failure is Not an Option" by Gene Kranz is available unabridged on CD, MP3 and via Audible.com. |
Buel
Member Posts: 649
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 06-15-2013 02:02 AM
Thank you all, I have now purchased 'Last Man On The Moon' and 'Failure Is Not An Option'. May I stretch this thread further by asking are there any audio documentaries that anyone can recommend? As those of you who know me will know, I still have not found anything that can rival Radio 4s 'Walking On The Moon' from 2009, which was narrated by Buzz. |
ea757grrl
Member Posts: 729
From: South Carolina
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 06-15-2013 05:51 AM
It may be difficult to find now, but about 1986 or 1987 Bantam Audio Publishing, in cooperation with the CBS News Archives, released a documentary on cassette titled "Man on the Moon," narrated by Walter Cronkite. It used the flight of Apollo 11 as a framing device for the story of the space race, and included several pieces of historic audio from the usual milestones along the way. There are also brief clips from interviews with Robert Goddard's widow and with John Houbolt. It's about 45 minutes in length and very nicely done. I don't think it's ever been available on any other format, though. |
Buel
Member Posts: 649
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 07-03-2013 01:08 AM
Does anyone here have the "Man on the Moon" narrated by Walter Cronkite? |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 07-22-2013 10:15 AM
Chris Hadfield's An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth will also be available as an audio book (CD). |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 07-30-2013 08:21 AM
Buzz Aldrin's Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration will also be available as an audio book .
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Lewis007
Member Posts: 102
From: Geldermalsen, the Netherlands
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 10-10-2014 04:03 AM
"Sally Ride: America's First Woman in Space" by Lynn Sherr is also available as an audio book (narrated by Pam Ward). |
astro-nut
Member Posts: 946
From: Washington, IL
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 11-01-2014 03:55 PM
I purchased "The All American Boys" audio book CDs at Space Camp earlier this year and it is missing disc no. 16 and it came with two no. 19 discs and on the cover it said it was autographed by Walt Cunningham and there is no autograph whatsoever. Really disappointing! |
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