Limitless: The Autobiography: The bestselling story of Britain’s inspirational astronaut

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Only 628 people in human history have left Earth. In Space: The Human Story, astronaut Tim Peake traces the lives of these remarkable men and women who have forged the way, from Yuri Gagarin to Neil Armstrong, from Valentina Tereshkova to Peggy Whitson. This was a wonderfully easy read that gives you a lot of insight into flying helicopters and the process of becoming an astronaut. You know what though? And whisper this, you could even say it was a little dull in places. I mean, no scandals here, Tim Peake is just a really polite, focused and normal kind of guy who loves his job! He just loves being hands-on and being propelled by flying things How could I not give this 5 stars? Amazing. I did not know much about Tim's journey into space and all the hard work he put into his military career beforehand. I really learnt a lot but generally was amazed at Tim's attitude. He seems like the kind of person to really push himself, always striving for the next thing, the next opportunity and keeps going. I love how things appeared to happen by 'chance' such as him getting a BsC degree because why not and turns out that, that degree would help him become an Astronaut in the future. Then exploring the underground caves with his friends, how that helped him be less claustrophobic and get into the headspace of having a few calm moments to stop a panic. He tells readers that it was a very surreal experience, and despite having trained for years prior to the mission, "nothing can prepare you for that feeling, for the full realisation that you are no longer living on Earth". He describes how although he was staring into the darkness of space, feeling isolated from everyone, he felt a strange sense of belonging. This fascinating and personal account of his time in space reflects on the hard work and dedication he had put in prior to getting to that point. Tim is one of our nation's good guys - and his story is a testament to his courage, kindness and a never-give-up spirit.' BEAR GRYLLS

The book can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, and comes with a personal commentary from Tim, full of his characteristic warmth and charm. The book includes breath-taking aerial photos of cities illuminated at night, the northern lights and unforgettable vistas of oceans, mountains and deserts. The title of the book is inspired by Tim’s famous ‘wrong number’ dialled from space, when he accidentally misdialled a woman from the space station and inquired, ‘Hello, is this planet Earth?’Peake delves into how he was selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) from over 8,000 candidates and undertook six years of training to become an astronaut. He stresses that it wasn't an easy ride. He was tested physically, psychologically, emotionally and intellectually. He learned how to speak Russian in St Petersburg. He even spent days in caves in Sardinia to cope with darkness and claustrophobia – all experiences he would have to endure in outer space. In fascinating and personal detail, and drawing on exclusive diaries and audio recordings from his mission, astronaut Tim Peake takes readers closer than ever before to experience what life in space is really like: the sights, the smells, the fear, the sacrifice, the exhilaration and the deep and abiding wonder of the view. This is a really fantastic autobiography. It always helps when you have done so many interesting things in your life like Tim has from starting as a youngster in the Chichester Combined Cadet Force (Army division) to joining the Army Air Corps and being an elite helicopter pilot and instructor. His army career is fascinating but you know it is all building up to the ultimate event in his life. It is worth the wait. The interview process for him just to become an astronaut is vigorous to say the least. Fasten your seatbelt for an exhilarating read ... His accounts of blasting into orbit at 25 times the speed of sound and floating, weightless, around the space station are enthralling.' EXPRESS

THE PERFECT SUMMER READ - From the #1 bestselling author of Hello, is this Planet Earth? and Ask an Astronaut I am not into space, sci-fi or anything like that but the frenzy in the UK around Tim Peake going up in space to the ISS also captivated me. The first Brit to go up into space was Helen Sharman who went up to the Mir space station in May 1991. You can see why it was such a big deal here. He was such an inspiration to kids. They seemed to be lapping up meeting him and watching him go into space. How could you not be hooked? A ground-breaking human history of space by beloved British astronaut and bestselling author Tim Peake. Full of fascinating insight into our greatest pioneers and unsung heroes, and astonishing detail only an astronaut would know, Peake's book is the first of its kind to chronicle the human evolution of space exploration over sixty years, from our first forays to now. In the process, Peake reveals what spaceflight is really like: the wondrous view of Earth, the surreal weightlessness, the extraordinary danger, the surprising humdrum, the unexpected humour, the new-found perspective, the years of training, the psychological pressures, the gruelling physical toll, the thrill of launch and the trepidation of re-entry. In the next few years, NASA will send the first woman and the first person of colour to step on the lunar surface. What will separate these upcoming moonwalkers from the legendary Apollo crews? Does it still take a derring-do attitude, super-human fitness, intelligence, plus 'the right stuff' - a fabled grace under pressure? And how will astronauts travel even further - to Mars and beyond?

Being (perhaps unfairly) critical, I'd say it is not particularly insightful into 'who Tim Peake is, and what drives him'. The chapters don't deviate on format from one to another; sometimes, you end up a bit ancedoted out by the end of a chapter. Space enthusiasts will snap up Peake’s compelling book in their droves, but his account of courage, Making aircraft models and being a part of cadets shows he had a passion for flight in his youth, even if he had no plans to venture into space at the time. But if it weren't for what followed after his time in school, he wouldn't have got to where he is now. In 1992, he graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as an officer in the British Army Air Corps. He then went on to become an Apache helicopter pilot, flight instructor, and a test pilot who served around the world.