The Light of Earth

"Anyone interested in better understanding the Apollo-era astronauts and their personalities will find this book to be a fascinating read."—Scott Sacknoff, Quest
"The US was the first country to land a person on the moon. Will it also be the first country to land a person on Mars? Worden, the command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission, provides an answer in his entertaining memoir, along with many other poignant thoughts and insights. Worden's opinions about the space program and the people involved are both candid and unique. . . . At the conclusion of this heartfelt memoir, space historian Francis French provides a moving epilogue that serves as an exclamation point to Worden's own account of his life and accomplishments."—R. I. Saltz, Choice
"The Light of Earth provides a smart analysis of the space program after the Apollo program."—Arnie Bernstein, New York Journal of Books
"In this enlightening book, Worden gives his refreshingly candor opinions on the space program, flying to the moon, and the people involved in the Apollo and later shuttle programs, as well as sharing hard-hitting reflections on the space shuttle program, the agonies and extraordinary sights and delights of being a NASA Apollo astronaut, and the space program's triumphs and failures."—Jason Schott, Brooklyn Digest
“I first met Al Worden as a fellow young test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base some fifty-eight years ago. We were both chosen to join the astronaut corps as members of Group 5, known as the Original 19. Al and I had various training experiences together for our first year. I remember Al as being very friendly and outgoing with a raucous, unmistakable laugh. He made some of our boring sessions lively.”—Fred Haise, Apollo 13 astronaut
 
“From the moon to the bohemian midseventies in San Francisco and right up to his passing in early 2020, reading this book reminds me of how much Al Worden is still valued and deeply missed. His candor, bravery, and hilarity here make it seem like he is still with us.”—Emily Carney, space historian
“Al Worden was a heroic fighter pilot, test pilot, and astronaut who played a major role in the exploration of the moon, only to see his career derailed by circumstances he could not control. Now he asks: what do you do after you’ve been to the moon? Write poetry? Go into business? Run for office? With the able assistance of historian Francis French, Worden tells this poignant tale.”—Michael Cassutt, space historian and author
 
“This is a magnificent book for so many reasons: not just in creating a wonderful postscript to Al Worden’s amazing life but also in bringing us the man’s deepest and often unfettered thoughts—especially when discussing his fellow Apollo astronauts. . . . This is altogether one of the most profound, poignant, and introspective stories ever set down by an Apollo astronaut—and probably any American astronaut. Al Worden was a man with many truths to tell, and they are all in this book.”—Colin Burgess, space historian