I really, really did try with this book, but I had to put it down and didn't finish it. BUT if a person was planning or wanting to go to space, this would be an ideal book for them

Fun read, looking at space tourism. Science portions broken up into manageable pieces.

I received this in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. Thank you to the author, Neil F. Comins, and the publisher, Columbia University Press, for this opportunity.

This is a detailed look at what is required for those wishing to venture into space. The book delves into particulars concerning the vetting programme required before an individual is deemed applicable for space travel, the struggles to be faced whilst travelling, and what duties and roles will be expected from them.

Whilst this is inclusive of any detail you could wish to know on the topic, it is written in quite a dry, academic format that makes this a very good reference book but a little bit of a dull read for those with a passing interest. Any book on the topic of space travel interests me, but I found my attention wandering somewhat, whilst reading this. That is not to say that the information is not of interest, but the style of narrative is a little more formal than I had anticipated. I had also expected the focus to be more on space itself rather than focusing on the possible emotions and problems the individual could encounter.

The topics covered tend to dwell on the negative. Rather than the wonders to be discovered, this mainly focuses on the dangers. On one hand, this was interesting, as I have not yet read a book on this topic that covers these areas so absolutely. However, the problems of group dynamics and limited space etc. could belong to any social group or shared work space and was not wholly just a problem to be experienced off our planet.

This would make a brilliant reference book for those studying in this area, but might be of little actual enjoyment or use for those with an amateur interest.

Turning dreams into nightmares... 2 stars

The ultimate adventure of space tourism is likely to become a reality within the next few decades, at least for the very, very rich. It's not something I ever actually anticipate doing now – too old, too poor – but a girl can still dream! And I've dreamed of going into space all my life, having grown up during the great space race era of the '60s and early '70s. One of my most wonderful memories is of crowding round a small TV in a boarding house (we were on holiday at the time) watching the grainy pictures of the first moon landing. I anticipated that, by the time I was an adult, we'd be visiting the moon as easily as popping over to Europe.

In this book, Neil Comins sets out to describe the realities of what a space tourist might expect. He starts off with a clear, simple description of the objects in the solar system that we may one day soon be able to visit, from sub-orbital flights, to the International Space Station or commercial equivalents, to the Moon, comets, the moons of Mars, and possibly Mars itself! Inspiring, huh?

Well, no, unfortunately. Comins clearly is one of those travellers (I'll revert to the correct British spelling of the word now) who is so busy thinking of all the things that could possibly go wrong, he forgets to stop and look at the view. From sick-bags to radiation poisoning, no potential pitfall is left unexamined. It all starts OK, with him giving a realistic idea of the training a traveller would be expected to undergo, what they would wear, eat, etc. But then he starts a catalogue of woe. Where it might be sufficient to say that people on long flights would have to contend against boredom, Comins goes on to talk about the features and symptoms of boredom at great length (somewhat ironically, I felt). While it might be useful to point out that group dynamics have to be carefully controlled, he chunters on about all the various personality clashes that might make life intolerable. When talking about the type of food that will be available, he doesn't neglect to point out the dangers of flatulence. From speeding particles piercing the optic nerve to the symptoms of PTSD, no misery is left unexplored.

He picks it up towards the end by talking about space photography and the joys of sex in microgravity, but sadly by that time I was exhibiting all the symptoms of anxiety, depression and boredom, so was incapable of anything other than a desire to get back to terra firma. So when he went on to explain that the effects of microgravity might make sex quite problematic for both men and women, I barely had enough strength left to be disappointed. I'm afraid I skim-read the last third or so.

Given my undying love for Star Trek and my belief that life on Mars has to be better than life on Earth (no Brexit, no Trump, no soccer – bliss!), it amazed me that Comins could actually make a wet weekend in Bognor sound exciting in comparison to space travel. Though I'm sure if he wrote a book about Bognor, he'd warn of flu germs, the drying effects of the salt in seawater, and lethal crabs lurking in the sand to nip unwary toes.

More seriously, the book is extraordinarily dull, with lengthy bullet point lists of symptoms of everything from anxiety to bipolar disorder, and even of things you should try to see from space, starting with

the Earth
the Moon
the Sun...

Gosh, that's helpful! I'd never have thought of looking out for any of those things! He has taught me one invaluable thing should I ever be lucky enough to go into space – to check the passenger list to make sure Comins isn't going on the same trip. I fear those group dynamics may well task the most conciliatory captain. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going out to gaze at the stars and resume my dreaming...

NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Columbia University Press.

This was way more science than what I expected it to be, in a good way. It made me realise that going to space is a big deal (unlike it is in my favourite science fiction movies). Things that I never expect to happen like loss of apatite, depression, lack of privacy and PTSD to name a few can (and do) happen to astronauts.

The Traveler's Guide To Space also made me realise how unlikely it is that I personally will able to go to planets further than Mars, especially if i want a return trip. Although Mars does sound a lot more interesting than it seems. In The Traveler's Guide To Space, it explained the potential sights on Mars that you could go to see, as well as potential habitats and how they would exist with the very thin atmosphere that Mars has.

If you are interested in the possibility of commercial space-flight or how realistic all the science fiction movies are, The Traveler's Guide To Space will not disappoint.

A very nice guide to Physics, explained through the lens of space travel. A lot more technical that the title suggests - but all the more interesting for it. I really did enjoy reading something out of my comfort zone.