Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon

Forty years ago, Buzz Aldrin became the second human, minutes after Neil Armstrong, to set foot on a celestial body other than the Earth. In the years since, millions have had their Earth-centric perspective unalterably changed by the iconic photograph of Aldrin standing on the surface of the moon with 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."

The flight of Apollo 11 made Aldrin one of the most famous people on our planet, yet few know the rest of this true American hero`s story. In Magnificent Desolation, Aldrin not only gives us a first-person account of the lunar landing 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 trials---and eventual triumphs---back on Earth. Magnificent Desolation is the thoroughly human story of a genuine hero.---"Riveting reading."---The Economist

"An admirable account of an icon of the golden age of space flight."---Kirkus Reviews

"Buzz Adrin relives the Magnificent Desolation of space." ---Vanity Fair

Buzz Aldrin was a NASA astronaut and is the founder of the ShareSpace Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to opening adventures in space to all people. Visit him at BuzzAldrin.com, Twitter@therealbuzz, Aldrin iPhone App.
Ken Abraham is a New York Times bestselling author.