Fascinating insight into the American space program from a unique and amiable perspective.
Mike Collins comes across as a good egg, clearly skilled and capable, yet humble and down to earth. The stories of his drinking and smoking are endearing and a little shocking to our modern sensibilities!
It is a perfectly pitched work, with complex engineering and science explained clearly without being dumbed down. Well written, and genuinely touching when talking about people and tragedy.
The book takes in little of his early life, but most of his career - starting as an air force pilot, ending the narrative shortly after Apollo 11 - with some time for a thoughtful conclusion.
The sense of danger pervades, yet the spirit of (an American stamped) mission for all mankind shines through, inspiring.