Books by Michael Collins
“In this noirish mystery, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2000, a frustrated news reporter—trapped in a dead-end job writing about local fundraisers—finds his postindustrial town oddly reinvigorated by a high-profile murder investigation, and can’t help but insert himself into proceedings.” Read more...
Booker Prize-Nominated Mystery Novels
Cal Flyn, Five Books Editor
Carrying the Fire
by Michael Collins
Carrying the Fire by Michael Collins is "widely regarded as the best of the memoirs written by astronauts", according to science writer and space expert Andrew Chaikin. Of the three astronauts on the Apollo 11 mission, Michael Collins was the one who did not walk on the Moon, but circled it and waited for the others to return. As well as the actual Moon landing, his memoir takes you through every step of the training and preparation. It's also quite funny: Michael Collins likes to joke.
Interviews where books by Michael Collins were recommended
The Best Books by Adventurers, recommended by Alastair Humphreys
One morning in early June, Laurie Lee said goodbye to his mum at the garden gate and went off on an adventure. Is now the moment for you to do the same? Bestselling author and adventurer Alastair Humphreys recommends five books written by adventurers that can’t fail but inspire you to ‘go simple, go solo, go now.’
The best books on Space Exploration, recommended by Andrew Chaikin
Space historian Andrew Chaikin tells us about five books that capture the thrill and achievement of our venturing into the great beyond. He picks the best books on space exploration.
Booker Prize-Nominated Mystery Novels, recommended by Cal Flyn
It’s an ideal combination: literary ambition and a rollicking good plot packed with intrigue and drama. We asked deputy editor Cal Flyn to pull together a list of five Booker Prize-nominated mystery novels, from an astrologically-inspired murder mystery set in goldrush-era New Zealand to an unusually intellectual noir starring a jaded reporter in rustbelt America.













