Final Orbit is a novel that you just won't be able to put down. Chris Hadfield is a master at putting together a story that is full of facts and yet manages to weave in some fiction into the story plot as well. He is much loved Canadian Astronaut, author, musician and writer. This reviewer has read his books and loved each one. But let's get into the Final Orbit!
The 1970's space race had everyone interested in what was out there. There was much political, international and general interest in all of the exploration of the moon, the space station and the possibilities of future travels in space.
In 1975 the space race took on a whole new focus as Apollo and the Russian Soyuz were to jointly dock with the now abandoned Space Station. It was a time of hope for the whole world that the two super powers could in fact come together to benefit all of mankind with cooperation and not with suspicions.
But unknown to both the US and Russia, China has been secretly trying to enter into the space race as well. Deep in remote location, China secretly launches it's first manned spaceship. No one knows what their purpose is and even though the Russians and Americans are working together, they are never totally above being suspicious of each other too.
This space mission is full of many triumphs and many mistakes as well, not just in the heavens but here on earth as well. Three of the six astronauts die during a decompression error. One of the Soviet's and two American astronauts are no longer part of the mission as it was supposed to happen. That leaves two Soviet's and one American aboard the Apollo capsule to figure out what needs to be done and how to do it. Just to add to the astronauts stress, there is the language barrier to work through and teaching the Cosmonauts how the Apollo works, compared to their Soyuz craft. And then there is that pesky Chinese astronaut out there too.
It doesn't take too much imagination to put yourself right into that Apollo capsule along side these three space travellers. That's what makes this book so intriguing.
If you are an astronaut wannabe or get excited about the possibilities of outer space travel, this book is for you!
If you lived through the 1960's and beyond, the Space Race and all of the missions Apollo made, you will relive some history that was happening on earth during that time as well. The Cold War, Patty Hearst. civil unrests and more are all part of what happened during this mission.
Once you open the book, Final Orbit, will be glued to your hands until you finish the last page. and then you will want to go back to the start and read it all over again.
Well done Chris Hadfield, well done indeed!
