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Magnificent Desolation-The Long Journey Home from the Moon by Aldrin Signed 2009

US $99.00
ApproximatelyC $135.46
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Condition:
Like New
Pre-owned.
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eBay item number:156600162410
Last updated on May 16, 2025 19:12:36 EDTView all revisionsView all revisions

Item specifics

Condition
Like New
A book that looks new but has been read. Cover has no visible wear, and the dust jacket (if applicable) is included for hard covers. No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. May be very minimal identifying marks on the inside cover. Very minimal wear and tear. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitionsopens in a new window or tab
Seller Notes
“Pre-owned.”
Country/Region of Manufacture
United States
ISBN
9780307463456

About this product

Product Identifiers

Publisher
Crown Publishing Group, T.H.E.
ISBN-10
0307463451
ISBN-13
9780307463456
eBay Product ID (ePID)
71681505

Product Key Features

Book Title
Magnificent Desolation : the Long Journey Home from the Moon
Number of Pages
336 Pages
Language
English
Publication Year
2009
Topic
Personal Memoirs, Psychopathology / Depression, Adventurers & Explorers, Psychopathology / Addiction, Science & Technology
Illustrator
Yes
Genre
Biography & Autobiography, Psychology
Author
Ken Abraham, Buzz Aldrin
Format
Hardcover

Dimensions

Item Height
1.1 in
Item Weight
21 Oz
Item Length
9.5 in
Item Width
6.4 in

Additional Product Features

Intended Audience
Trade
LCCN
2010-277299
Reviews
"Buzz Aldrin relives theMagnificent Desolationof space, and the soul-sucking depression that awaited back home." Vanity Fair, "Hot Type", "Buzz Aldrin relives theMagnificent Desolationof space, and the soul-sucking depression that awaited back home." Vanity Fair, "Hot Type" "An admirable account of an icon of the golden age of space flight." Kirkus Reviews, "Buzz Aldrin relives the Magnificent Desolation of space, and the soul-sucking depression that awaited back home." Vanity Fair, "Hot Type" "An admirable account of an icon of the golden age of space flight." Kirkus Reviews "Space fans, in particular, will cheer." Booklist "Aldrin presents a no-holds-barred account of how his celebrity, career and human weaknesses nearly destroyed his life….This inspiring story exhibits Aldrin as a different, perfectly human kind of hero, giving readers a sympathetic look at a man eclipsed by his own legend." Publishers Weekly "Buzz Aldrin relives theMagnificent Desolationof space, and the soul-sucking depression that awaited back home." Vanity Fair, "Hot Type" "Riveting reading." The Economist "Leads the field of new releases.The candid portrayal of his earthly battles-often written with great humor-make this a cut above the rest….Great holiday reading." New Scientist "Captivating….an engaging first-hand account by one of history's most important explorers." Alive East Bay
Dewey Edition
22
Dewey Decimal
629.454092
Synopsis
Forty years ago, Buzz Aldrin became the second human, minutes after Neil Armstrong, to set foot on a celestial body other than the Earth. The event remains one of mankind's greatest achievements and was witnessed by the largest worldwide television audience in history. In the years since, millions more have had their Earth-centric perspective unalterably changed by the iconic photograph of Aldrin standing on the surface of the moon, the blackness of space behind him and his fellow explorer and the Eagle reflected in his visor. Describing the alien world he was walking upon, he uttered the words "magnificent desolation." And as the astronauts later sat in the Eagle, waiting to begin their journey back home, knowing that they were doomed unless every system and part on board worked flawlessly, it was Aldrin who responded to Mission Control's clearance to take off with the quip, "Roger. Understand. We're number one on the runway." The flight of Apollo 11 made Aldrin one of the most famous persons on our planet, yet few people know the rest of this true American hero's story. In Magnificent Desolation , Aldrin not only gives us a harrowing first-person account of the lunar landing that came within seconds of failure and the ultimate insider's view of life as one of the superstars of America's space program, he also opens up with remarkable candor about his more personal trialsand eventual triumphsback on Earth. From the glory of being part of the mission that fulfilled President Kennedy's challenge to reach the moon before the decade was out, Aldrin returned home to an Air Force career stripped of purpose or direction, other than as a public relations tool that NASA put to relentless use in a seemingly nonstop world tour. The twin demons of depression and alcoholism emergedthe first of which Aldrin confronted early and publicly, and the second of which he met with denial until it nearly killed him. He burned through two marriages, his Air Force career came to an inglorious end, and he found himself selling cars for a living when he wasn't drunkenly wrecking them. Redemption came when he finally embraced sobriety, gained the love of a woman, Lois, who would become the great joy of his life, and dedicated himself to being a tireless advocate for the future of space explorationnot only as a scientific endeavor but also as a thriving commercial enterprise. These days Buzz Aldrin is enjoying life with an enthusiasm that reminds us how far it is possible for a person to travel, literally and figuratively. As an adventure story, a searing memoir of self-destruction and self-renewal, and as a visionary rallying cry to once again set our course for Mars and beyond, Magnificent Desolation is the thoroughly human story of a genuine hero.
LC Classification Number
TL789.85.A4A3 2009

Item description from the seller

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lifeisbeautiful99

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    • 8***3 (72)- Feedback left by buyer.
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      Verified purchase
      Thanks very much! Beautiful object! Greeting from The Netherlands Europe
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    Product ratings and reviews

    4.2
    6 product ratings
    • 3 users rated this 5 out of 5 stars
    • 1 users rated this 4 out of 5 stars
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    Most relevant reviews

    • A very telling moon perspective.

      A revealing perspective off astronaut's personalities - especially Aldrin's What do you do as an encore after walking on the moon. In person, Aldrin is a personable fellow. His book reveals a narcistic personality consumed by self importance.

      Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-OwnedSold by: thrift.books

    • Magnificent Desolation

      Buzz is definitely a unique guy. I would recommend this book but I have read over 20 Mercury/Gemini/Apollo astronaut books

      Verified purchase: YesCondition: New

    • Life of an astronaut

      Excellent shape

      Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-OwnedSold by: nash1and2

    • Magnificent Desolation

      His experience working with NASA is interesting, but it is long when it comes to his personal problems, too much of the same with alcoholism and depression.

      Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-OwnedSold by: betterworldbooks

    • Imperdible

      Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-OwnedSold by: worldofbooksinc