I'm not aware of a book review being done on this blog before, and even if there has been, I'm sure it would have related to countryside. But this one I felt I had to review. The book is by Tim Peake, Britain's first "official" astronaut. Normally you would expect this type of book to be full of the same type of stories as other similar books, stories of the riguors of flight training, the strict diet that he had to maintain for years previously, etc. But this book is full of photos, and not of the NASA training centre. It is mainly of Earth, and, in my opinion, really shows what we have, and why we must fight as hard as we can to preserve it.
From a distance you realise the beauty of this planet and what it gives us, along with the varying terrain and the glorious oceans. As Tim Peake himself writes in the book;
"It's impossible to look down on Earth from space and not be mesmerised by the fragile beauty of our planet.'
I may have been 400km up, but I have never felt closer to Earth than when I was on board the International Space Station.
I'm delighted to share with you this collection of photographs with some of my thoughts from my mission. Although I briefly left the santuary of our planet, I rediscovered the wonder of the place we call home".
I urge you to go out and buy this book, whether you are involved in a course looking at countryside management, are considering a new course or are having doubts about a career choice. Because the beauty of this planet really makes you want to try as hard as you can to preserve it, manage it, and make it a better place for every organism on it. For those of you inspired to try and make a difference, remember Moulton College has an open day on Thursday 1st December, between 17:00 and 19:00, and you can register on the day for a course that inspires you.
Tim Peake's proceeds for this book go to The Princes Trust.
