R3: Endurance by Scott Kelly

Released: 17^th October 2017

Genre: Autobiographical Memoir

Number of Pages: 369

I’ve held an interest in space and science fiction for as long as I can remember, but only recently have I read a more realistic and cohesive account of humanity’s adventures to the cosmos. I came across Scott Kelly at a special talk in London last year and decided to go all in by paying extra for his book as well as a ticket to the event. It was certainly worth every penny, as Scott talked about the book and his experiences before taking some questions from the audience. This was one of several events around the world that has seen the former astronaut talk about his time in space. He may well be coming to your country at some point or another.

American astronaut Scott Kelly (along with fellow Russian astronaut Mikhail Borisovich Kornienko, known as Misha) was selected to undertake one of the biggest missions in NASA’s history; sending a human to live in space for a year; over this time, countless experiments were done to see how the body reacts alongside a collection of others for the advancement of science. Scott tells his story across two timelines; one looking at his time on the International Space Station and the other reflecting on his life and the journey he went on to become an astronaut.

Scott Kelly's talk in London: November 2017

Scott’s life before NASA and launching off is fascinating and inspiring in equal measure; he talks about how it only took one book (The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe) to get him into the piloting and later space flight route. Kelly tells it all from childhood to his family; through all its ups and downs, there’s a ton of detail here and much like the last book I reviewed, you begin to know and understand the man personally. It’s an excellent complement to the space chapters as it conveys that duality of being part of an exciting space mission, but also missing one’s loved ones, imbuing the book with a feeling of unparalleled humanity.

The other half aboard the ISS is equally absorbing, as Kelly takes the reader through the many procedures and factors that come with living away from Earth. There’s a ton of technologies, tools and other resources to keep track of on top of being in zero gravity. What makes this section work is how Kelly effortlessly breaks the key operations and procedures aboard the ISS down into easily digestible sections. You’re never overwhelmed by complex scientific language and on top of that, the way he describes the breath-taking views are particularly vivid in their execution.

Both sections are laced with a humorous wit and palpable emotion that really pulls you in Kelly’s journey and the events he experienced up in orbit, whether it was family, the shifting of crew members or occurrences back on terra-firma. This ensures the pacing never slows while also pulling you deeper in. One moment I’ll remember was when Scott and Misha first arrived on station, pulling themselves through together as a sign of solidarity. It really does show that when we put aside our differences and trust in each other, we can achieve anything, and this theme makes for one of the more inspiring parts of Scott’s tale.

Taking pictures after the talk, and getting book signatures...

Recommended?

Without a doubt, yes… All being told, Scott Kelly’s “Endurance” is both a humble recount and a vivid illustration of something very few of us will get to do ourselves. For someone who has spent more time up in space than most astronauts, the man himself is (pardon the pun) extremely down to earth. You’ll be endlessly intrigued by both the direction he took in life and what he got up on the station still orbiting miles above our heads. Those who are interested in space probably own it already, but if you’re willing to get into it, the book is sure to get you into the science that takes place beyond our planet as well.