Upon the occasion of history's first manned flights--in the 1780's, aboard the Montgolfier brothers' hot-air balloons--someone asked Franklin what use he saw in such frivolity. "What use," he replied, "is a newborn baby?"
Mary Roach quoting Benjamin Franklin, Packing for Mars
Title: Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void
Author: Mary Roach
Publisher/Publisher Date: W.W. Norton & Company/2010
Library/Bookstore: Amazon Kindle Store (My first e-book!)
Date Borrowed/Bought/Read: May 2011
Rating: ***1/2
What It's About: Mary Roach answers all of the questions your dying to know about what really goes down during space flight. How do astronauts go to the bathroom? Do astronauts get freaky in space? Is it okay to smuggle a sandwich during a launch. Is there such a thing as space madness? Inquiring minds want to know!
Why I Chose to Read It: I've read Mary Roach's previous books and loved them! Also, I've always been curious about space travel and thought this would make for an interesting, humorous read.
Notes About the Book:
- I'm a knee-bobber, so that automatically makes me an undesirable candidate for space flight.
- I have even more respect for astronauts after reading this book. What they put themselves through all in the name of science is astounding considering the risks they face. I'm talking brain stem separation, people.
- I learned more about space defecation than I ever wanted to know. Floaters...(shudders).
- I so want to float around weightless in zero G.
Do I Recommend It? Yes. Mary Roach, rocks! If you love space, you'll love this book, too.
Links:
NASA (Latest Space Shuttle News)
I loved this book, too! I thought exactly the same thing as you, re: defecation. If I ever wanted to be an astronaut, Mary put an end to that.
I think I got onto Roach's stuff after reading something about "Stiff" on your blog; ditto a handful of other authors!
Posted by: Mick | May 30, 2011 at 09:13 PM