Back to Earth - by Nicole Stott (Hardcover)

About the Book

"When NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott first saw the Earth from space, she was filled with awe. Our shared home was a brilliant blue marble, with a razor thin atmosphere protecting billions of people, including everyone she loved. She realized that we are all bound together on this fragile planet. When she came back to earth, she knew she had to share this vision to help protect it. Stott knows the scale of the daunting task at hand-and yet, she believes we can set aside our differences and work together to tackle the most challenging planetary problems humanity has ever faced. She knows this, because she's seen it happen, on the International Space Station. Throughout her book, Stott imparts hard-won lessons in high-stakes problem solving, survival, and responding to crisis in space. On a space station, astronauts can't wait for someone else to handle a rescue; and when it comes to our earthbound problems, Stott learned that everyone should live like a crewmember, not like a passenger. In space, where everyone survives in a closed system, everything is local-and Stott discovered that in a profound way, the same is true back at home. Back to Earth distills these lessons and more into seven principles that can be practiced by each and every one of us to make much-needed change. In addition to sharing stories from her own spaceflight, Stott offers eye-opening insights from scientists and changemakers already sparking meaningful change in their communities and around the globe. She explores the complexities and splendor of the earth's biodiversity, and what it takes to preserve it, with both pioneering scientists on earth and engineers working to enable life in space. She meets with activists who use their time in space to advocate for clean water, and with executives who quit their corporate positions and use their global reach to become environmental leaders. Through her stirring call to action, Nicole Stott reveals how we each have the power to respect the Earth and one another-and to change our own lives in the process. And, while we're at it, we might just save humanity"--

Book Synopsis

Inspired by insights gained in spaceflight, a NASA astronaut offers key lessons to empower Earthbound readers to fight climate change

When Nicole Stott first saw Earth from space, she realized how interconnected we are and knew she had to help protect our planetary home.

In Back to Earth, Stott imparts essential lessons in problem-solving, survival, and crisis response that each of us can practice to make change. She knows we can overcome differences to address global issues, because she saw this every day on the International Space Station. Stott shares stories from her spaceflight and insights from scientists, activists, and changemakers working to solve our greatest environmental challenges. She learns about the complexities of Earth's biodiversity from NASA engineers working to enable life in space and from scientists protecting life on Earth for future generations. Ultimately, Stott reveals how we each have the power to respect our planetary home and one another by living our lives like crewmates, not passengers, on an inspiring shared mission

Review Quotes

"Back to Earth should be in everybody's home library! Nicole has captured the incredible beauty, fragility, and interconnectivity of Earth. Writing with the inspirational flair of Carl Sagan, rallying the reader to fully embrace their role as a guardian of the future. A very human story... this is a book for the crew of Spaceship Earth."

--Astronaut Mike Mullane, author of Riding Rockets

"Back to Earth should be required reading for anyone who asks: "Why do humans go to space?" I have not seen a better description of the balance between the current risks and the beauty of life on our planet. Nicole has succeeded in bringing the astronaut experience to the heart of the reader, sharing not only her stories but also her optimism for a promising future for life on Earth."

--Astronaut Eileen Collins, Space Shuttle Commander and Pilot; Colonel, USAF (ret.)

"A smart, witty guide to living on our home planet from one of the only humans to have lived in space and under the sea, Nicole understands our worlds, from algae to stardust. Now she lets us in on the magic. Buy, read, act!"

--Lynn Sherr, ABC News correspondent and author of Sally Ride

"A thought-provoking and thrilling call to action to do right by our environment and, even more so, by each other."

--Scott Harrison, New York Times-bestselling author of Thirst

"In Back To Earth Nicole Stott offers us the precious gift of perspective on human life. With wisdom gained through her unique experiences, Nicole connects the dots between the heavens and Earth, creating an elegant template for living rich lives in harmony with nature. Back To Earth is the answer to "They should have sent a poet."

--Brian Skerry, National Geographic wildlife photographer and film producer

"Nicole conveys the importance of space exploration with an astronaut's understanding and an artist's eye. Her unique perspective can help all of us better appreciate our home as well as encourage the passion needed to take care of it."

--Astronaut Mike Massimino, New York Times-bestselling author of Spaceman

"Nicole inspires us to be a crew member, not just a passenger, on the most important spaceship of all: planet Earth."

--Simone Giertz, inventor and YouTuber

"Nicole's wonderful book maps her extraordinary journey from Earth to space and back again. She teaches us how to see our world as the spaceship it really is, and how important it is to take great care of the round blue vehicle in which we all ride."

--Peter Gabriel, musician

"Our planet is a spaceship, and we are its crew! This is the story of a down-to-earth astronaut who cares deeply about our planet and all life that shares it as home. Sometimes you have to leave a place to truly appreciate it -- nobody tells this tale better than Nicole Stott."

--William W. Li, MD, New York Times-bestselling author of Eat to Beat Disease

"Sometimes you have to leave the planet to love the planet--and certainly to appreciate it fully. That, and much more, is the core message of this wise and artful book. What her trips to space taught her about survival, problem-solving, and our own humanity, she in turn teaches us--making us not just passengers on our planet, but crewmates. I came away from this book a better Earthling than I was when I began it."

--Jeffrey Kluger, TIME editor-at-large, co-author of the national bestseller Apollo 13, author Holdout

"Through the windows of the space station, floating alongside our crewmates from around the world, Nicole Stott and I saw Earthrise together, and understood how fragile our water-filled home is. By turning her journey into a beautifully written work of art, Nicole has taken action in a way that few can. Her book is very much needed."

--Guy Laliberté, 7th Space Tourist and Founder of Cirque du Soleil, Lune Rouge and ONE DROP

"[Stott's] book's down-to-earth purpose: to explain how space flight enriches life on Earth. She recalls her own 'Earthrise moment' on first looking out of the Space Shuttle -- the sudden realization that we live on a planet that must be preserved from human destruction."--Nature

"A brilliant and poignant manual on what it means to live on Earth. Stott's clarity and eloquence might bring you to tears. It should be read aloud to children, assigned in schools, shared with Congress, and placed in houses of worship."--Paul Hawken, New York Times-bestselling author of Drawdown

"I shared a delicious curry meal off-planet with Nicole on the International Space Station and it felt just like home. When we landed and broke bread again I had a new perspective and appreciation of what it meant to be home. Through Back to Earth Nicole helps us all find that perspective and connection to our home Planet."--Astronaut Leland Melvin, author of Chasing Space

"In Back to Earth, my former space crewmate Nicole Stott poignantly captures what astronauts experience when looking at Earth from space: a life-changing view of our beautiful yet fragile home, one that is in need of our stewardship. A must read for anyone who cares about this planet--which should be all of us."--Astronaut Scott Kelly, New York Times-bestselling author of Endurance

"Stott is that rarest of individuals--at once a wonderful writer, deep thinker, keen observer, inspired artist, and gentle soul. No one who reads this stunning, moving, and hopeful work will forget that humanity shares one home."--Robert Kurson, New York Times-bestselling author of Rocket Men

"Stott shows us that Earth is our ship--and if we're not careful, we're sunk. Her experiences convinced her that we can all do something to make the world better. The tasks ahead, and the views, are tremendous."--Bill Nye, the science guy

"Stott's insights on Earth's vulnerability are a powerful inspiration to counter indifference, and a spur to fully appreciate and preserve what we have before it's gone."--The Edge, humanitarian and musician, U2

"Back to Earth offers an extraordinary glimpse of Earth from a view most of us will never witness firsthand. Nicole Stott underscores the urgent need for humanity to take action, while offering hope that we can solve our greatest problems if we work together for the greater good."

--Leilani Münter, environmental activist, filmmaker, and retired race car driver

"Nicole came back to Earth with a new mission: urging all of us to protect our one and only "home." As an artist, she conveys her spaceflight experience in her paintings; and in her wonderful book, she finds the words to share her profound and moving journey as a call to action for us all."

--Frank White, author of The Overview Effect

"Part memoir, part inspirational manual for living, Stott's book encourages readers to seek out their own "Earthrise" moment and to take time to enjoy the beauty and value in the world."--Library Journal

"Stott is at her best when she describes the training she underwent for space flight (both underwater in the Florida Keys and in Star City, Russia) and the emotions she felt traveling to and working in space. Readers in search of a lighthearted look at space travel will find much to savor."--Publisher's Weekly

About the Author

Nicole Stott is an astronaut, aquanaut, and an artist who spent over one hundred days in space aboard the International Space Station. After a twenty-eight year career with NASA, she founded the Space for Art Foundation, and she speaks to audiences around the world including the Vatican and the United Nations' historic Paris Agreement gathering. She is featured in National Geographic's One Strange Rock. Nicole lives in Florida with her family.