"Sky Walking: An Astronaut's Memoir" by Tom Jones

I have really been craving a good book about space for some time.  Also, we were going to Florida, so I wanted to read something with a Kennedy Space Center connection.  Luckily, I found "Sky Walking" by Tom Jones!

Tom ended up going into space on four different shuttle missions, and accomplished a lot!

In his book, he talks about the stressors of applying to be an astronaut.  Even guys who are at the top of their game have a hard time making it, as NASA is very selective.  As I read the beginning of the book, I have to admit that I felt a little nervous as he discusses his feelings that he might not make it.  Sure, there is a HUGE picture of an astronaut on a space walk on the cover of the book, and it is subtitled "An Astronauts Memoir" but I really could feel his anxiety!

Even more stressful is Tom's description of the stress placed on his wife and two young children as he trains for his first mission!  Sadly, his daughter gets a hold of a book about the Challenger Disaster.  You can imagine the fear that that caused.

Tom Jones does talk very openly about the threat of not surviving a mission.  Other NASA employees agree to help out with a fellow astronauts family if something tragic occurs.  Insurance policies are secured, wills are written out.

Those anxious feeling evolve into pure excitement as Tom finally makes it to space on STS-59.  You do feel the pure fright and excitement that his wife, kids AND mom feel!  After several delays, he makes it up to be an official astronaut!

It seems the emotions go from pure excitement (seeing the Earth from a spaceship) to crazy anxiety (a shuttle mission being cancelled a couple of seconds before liftoff).  Not only that, Tom deals with how much chaos not being able to open a door in space can be.  He also talks openly about trying all of the issues involved in building a space station with the Russians!

This is a great book that really describes the life (and career) of an astronaut.