Literature Analysis: An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

 Topics and/or events
1. Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield is about astronaut Chris Hadfield and his conquest to becoming an astronaut. He talks about his rigorous training and hectic lifestyles that lead to him becoming an astronaut. He talks about his schooling and the different countries such as Canada and the U. S. that he lived in. This book was eye-opening into the struggles and helped me to understand about how and what happens to those brave enough to become astronauts.
2. Chris Hadfield choose to write this book because he wanted to portray the complicated yet possible road to becoming an astronaut. He wanted to show those of us who don't understand what it takes the hardships and the many cross-roads of being an astronaut.
3. I choose to read this book because Mrs. Dirkes told me I should read it to understand the life of an astronaut as I am attempting to make my masterpiece about space and the health care of the astronauts and those on the I. S. S. (International Space Station).
4. I loved the way this book showed real life situations and portrayed them in a way I could understand. For example when Hadfield is writing about his first trip to space he writes in the present as it was happening at that moment instead of past tense because he "thinks the moment is to precious and better told in the present rather than past tense."

People
1. The book is an autobiography about his own mission to becoming an astronaut and his experience while in space. His tone is one of informative and realistic nature. He expresses sadness and disappoint along with excitement and hope. 
2. Chris Hadfield is author and main subject of the piece. He is strong and determined along with intelligent. He sought an impossible cause and made it a reality. When he first decided he wanted to be an astronaut, he kept it a secret because Canada didn't have an astronaut program yet. However he did become the first Canadian to complete a space walk. His wife Helene is a strong independent woman who stood by her husband and put up with every location change and constant, long night preparations for his tasks ahead. Majority of the time, Helene raised the kids on her own because Hadfield was busy pursuing his dreams.
3. Hadfield's experiences and his many accomplishments in his pursuit of his dream is unique and very entertaining to read about. His way of writing allows for the audience to look through his eyes and see his life the way he lived it and the paths it took

Style
1. He didn't really use literary techniques except for imagery. He used aspects of foreshadowing but only in a way that the audience would see him working his way up to a task and eventually gaining an understanding of the outcome.
2. In some aspects of the book such as his astronaut training, Hadfield doesn't go into extreme detail right away. At one point the book mentions his acceptance along with only 5 others into the space program, then the next chapter he is talking about his first trip to space. In his first trip to space he did go into some detail but not to much which kept the flow of the novel going. At the beginning of the book he does go into detail about all the steps and road bumps he faced on his journey to become an astronaut. 
3. Since the author was writing about himself I felt that he was able to incorporate mood and feelings into the piece very well. As a reader I felt his excitement every time he completed a mission, I felt his disappointment when he missed or an opportunity was taken from him.
4. I felt that his attitude was one of excitement and proud at being able to tell his story to those and let his audience know that dreams can be reached with hard work and determination.
5. The author cited instances such as Armstrong's first walk on the moon because it was his inspiration for going to space. He mostly used his firsthand knowledge of space and how becoming an astronaut is. I felt that this was very effective because it was more like looking at it through his eyes and not just knowledge that can be found anywhere

One instance of this book that I know I will remember is his first space walk. The way he wrote and details he used really help me mentally picture what was going on. He talked of being put into the suit and how it was uncomfortable in certain areas. He talked about his first instance in outer space where he let go of his checklist and watched as it "hovered, then drifted off serenly, instead of thumping to the ground" (pg. 26). Another area of the book I enjoyed where the pictures he included between pages 120 and 121. I think this really added a personal touch to the book making it easier to relate to him.