The astronaut and modern-day hero who spent a record-breaking year on the International Space Station delivers a message of optimism for the future that will inspire future generations in this beautiful, intimate book.

Scott Kelly, a four-time spaceflight veteran and the American record holder for continuous days spent in space, has seen and done things that few people have. Now he leads us into a world that is completely inimical to human life.

He explains handling the life-threatening and commonplace challenges of long-term spaceflight. The body's debilitating effects; his separation from everyone he loves and the comforts of Earth; the catastrophic hazards of meeting with space trash; and the even more terrifying possibility of being powerless to aid should tragedy strike at home an excruciating scenario Kelly experienced difficulties when his brother's wife, American Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was shot on a previous trip while he was still in space for two months

Kelly's humanity, compassion, humor, and tenacity shine through as he remembers his rough-and-tumble New Jersey beginnings and the teenage motivation that began his remarkable career, and as he expresses his confidence that Mars will be the next, and ultimately most difficult, step in spaceflight.

The triumph of human creativity, the strength of human will, and the unfathomable grandeur of the cosmos are all shown in Endurance.