Packing for Mars: the curious science of life in the void by Mary Roach. 334 p.
Mary Roach has the ability to explain scientific stuff clearly to the general public. Plus, of course, she's blessed with the ability to make almost anything fall-down-laughing funny. Both talents are in full display in this book, which is primarily about America's space program, past and present. She does, however, spend some time observing Japanese astronaut candidate testing, and also manages to interview some retired Russian cosmonauts. I was particularly interested by how top astronauts have evolved from macho guys with the "right stuff" to people with good interpersonal skills, and why. And, of course, she explains how space toilets work in great detail.
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