Limitless: The Autobiography: The bestselling story of Britain’s inspirational astronaut

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In December 2015, Tim Peake became the first British ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut to visit the ISS. I am not into space, sci-fi or anything like that but the frenzy in the UK around Tim Peake going up in space to the ISS also captivated me. The first Brit to go up into space was Helen Sharman who went up to the Mir space station in May 1991. You can see why it was such a big deal here. He was such an inspiration to kids. They seemed to be lapping up meeting him and watching him go into space. How could you not be hooked? This was a wonderfully easy read that gives you a lot of insight into flying helicopters and the process of becoming an astronaut. You know what though? And whisper this, you could even say it was a little dull in places. I mean, no scandals here, Tim Peake is just a really polite, focused and normal kind of guy who loves his job! He just loves being hands-on and being propelled by flying things

Peake delves into how he was selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) from over 8,000 candidates and undertook six years of training to become an astronaut. He stresses that it wasn't an easy ride. He was tested physically, psychologically, emotionally and intellectually. He learned how to speak Russian in St Petersburg. He even spent days in caves in Sardinia to cope with darkness and claustrophobia – all experiences he would have to endure in outer space. Have you ever wondered what life is like as an astronaut? And what it would be like to leave our planet behind and explore the wonders of space? Well, gang – here’s your chance to find out! In fascinating and personal detail, and based on exclusive diaries and audio recordings from his mission, Tim Peake takes readers closer than ever before to experience what life in space is really like: the sacrifice that astronauts make in being apart from their families, the sights, the smells, the fear, the exhilaration and the deep and abiding wonder of the view from space. Limitless is a book about the power of following our dreams – however unlikely they may seem – and of striving to reach our potential, even when we might not believe in it ourselves.The opportunity to become an astronaut was not a dream for him he sort of took it and thought why not. I like that it fell into place for him. He said there are people who will give their right arm to go into space and the ESA don't want those people, they want the people who seriously think and consider the impacts.

In fascinating and personal detail, and based on exclusive diaries and audio recordings from his mission, Tim Peake takes readers closer than ever before to experience what life in space is really like: the sacrifice that astronauts make in being apart from their families, the sights, the smells, the fear, the exhilaration and the deep and abiding wonder of the view from space. Limitless is a book about the power of following our dreams – however unlikely they may seem – and of striving to reach our potential, even when we might not believe in it ourselves. The book can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, and comes with a personal commentary from Tim, full of his characteristic warmth and charm. The book includes breath-taking aerial photos of cities illuminated at night, the northern lights and unforgettable vistas of oceans, mountains and deserts. The title of the book is inspired by Tim’s famous ‘wrong number’ dialled from space, when he accidentally misdialled a woman from the space station and inquired, ‘Hello, is this planet Earth?’ In February 2016, Tim spoke to 300 school children in a live Q&A session from space called Cosmic Classroom.During his six-month stay on the International Space Station, he ran the London marathon strapped to a treadmill! Being (perhaps unfairly) critical, I'd say it is not particularly insightful into 'who Tim Peake is, and what drives him'. The chapters don't deviate on format from one to another; sometimes, you end up a bit ancedoted out by the end of a chapter. Making aircraft models and being a part of cadets shows he had a passion for flight in his youth, even if he had no plans to venture into space at the time. But if it weren't for what followed after his time in school, he wouldn't have got to where he is now. In 1992, he graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as an officer in the British Army Air Corps. He then went on to become an Apache helicopter pilot, flight instructor, and a test pilot who served around the world. Peake during his 4 hour 43 minute spacewalk to replace a failed power regulator and install cabling.

What I really hated was how much money and politics came into the ESA's decisions for missions. It makes sense but seems crazy at the same time. Whichever country is putting the most money and funding into space travel and science that person tends to get the long mission. It must be nice knowing he is set to go into space at least once more and also nice seeing his friends and crew mates get the missions they deserve. He tells readers that it was a very surreal experience, and despite having trained for years prior to the mission, "nothing can prepare you for that feeling, for the full realisation that you are no longer living on Earth". He describes how although he was staring into the darkness of space, feeling isolated from everyone, he felt a strange sense of belonging. This fascinating and personal account of his time in space reflects on the hard work and dedication he had put in prior to getting to that point. But on the positive, it's a very well written book and gives you a behind the scenes take on day to day life as an army helicopter pilot. The vast majority of the anecdotes are interesting and fun. Ultimately, Tim's stroy communicates the fruits of determination, self-belief, and a supportive family network.A ground-breaking human history of space by beloved British astronaut and bestselling author Tim Peake. He spent six years training for his trip to the ISS– and beat 8,000 applicants who all wanted to be astronauts on the mission. Publication of the book comes on the eve of NASA’s plans to return to the moon, fifty years after an astronaut last walked on the lunar surface. In 2024 the Artemis II mission will send four astronauts to orbit the moon. In 2025 Artemis III will send the first woman and the first person of colour to step on the lunar surface. What will separate these upcoming moonwalkers from the legendary Apollo crews? Does it still take a daring-do attitude, super-human fitness, intelligence, plus the ‘Right-stuff’– a fabled grace under pressure? And how will astronauts travel even further – to Mars and beyond? Space: The Human Story reveals all.