Robert's Reviews > First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong

This has been an amazing audiobook experience, far better than anticipated. For one thing, the author's portrayal of Armstrong is hardly a hagiography, which was a relief. His many virtues were dutifully reported, but I was amazed at how critical the narrative was of certain highly personal episodes and Armstrong's reactions to them, such as the death of his daughter Karen. But what made the experience much more memorable for me was the seamless integration of actual recordings of the historic communications between the Apollo 11 astronauts and Mission Control. When it came time for the "eternally famous words" Armstrong uttered upon stepping out onto the lunar surface, I confess I was thoroughly moved...and I was born 10 years after the landing!