“Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut’s Journey” by Michael Collins, Major General (Ret.), USAF.

I recently finished reading this book again. This is a book (published in 1974) by the one member of the Apollo 11 crew who did not walk on the moon. Major General Collins was also Assistant Secretary of State and the Undersecretary of the Smithsonian.

I have worked with two real live astronauts who have flown on the shuttles, a Colonel and a Warrant officer, and with lots of others who are Merc-Gemini-Apollo space program boy-geeks like me, and we all agree this is among the best of its class.

Best quote in the book is about Buzz Aldrin: “I think he resents not being the first on the moon more than he appreciates being second.”

This, immediately following the estimation which Major General Collins makes of himself: “OK if you’re looking for a handball game, otherwise, nothing special.”

Not a lot of men like him around anymore.

This book is a narrative of the first days of my self-awareness.