Title: Far Side of the Moon: Apollo 8 Commander Frank Bornman and the Woman Who Gave Him Wings
Author(s): Liisa Jorgensen
Release Date: December 7, 2021
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Genre(s): Biography, History, Nonfiction
Synopsis:
The decades-long love story of a NASA commander and the leader of the Astronaut Wives Club
Far Side of the Moonis the untold, fully authorized story of the lives of Frank and Susan Borman. One was a famous astronaut—an instrumental part of the Apollo space program—but the other was just as much a warrior. This real-life love story is far from a fairy tale.
Life as a military wife was beyond demanding, but Susan always rose to the occasion. When Frank joined NASA and was selected to command the first mission to orbit the moon, that meant putting on a brave face for the world as her husband risked his life for the space race. The pressure and anxiety were overwhelming, and eventually Susan’s well-hidden depression and alcoholism finally came to light. Frank had to come to terms with how his “mission above all else” mentality contributed to his wife’s suffering. As Susan healed, she was able to begin helping others who suffered in silence from mental illness and addiction.
Discover how Frank and Susan’s love and commitment to each other is still overcoming life’s challenges, even beyond their years as an Apollo commander and the founder of the Astronaut Wives Club.
My Review:
Far Side of the Moon is an emotional biography about one of the most well-known astronauts, Frank Borman, and his wife Susan Borman. Reading nonfiction is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres to read and it’s because of great stories like this one. I admit that as I saw the title I just assumed it would be a cool read with a bit of history lesson about space and Frank Borman’s career. But it is so much more than that. Sure it has his life story but it highlights his beautiful love story. Susan was Frank’s wife but before she was his wife she was just a young girl who had a wonderful bond with her father and who had to deal with tragedy at a young age. She lost her father tragically at a young age and was blamed by her mother. Dealing with that pain and trauma at any age is so difficult and yet she decides to put her feelings aside in hopes of making a better life for herself. She starts to feel love for the first time again since the loss of her father when she meets Frank in high school. She is a sophomore and he is a senior and they have such a romantic and loving bond. Things are going great and Frank really shocks both Susan and himself when he writes her a letter about breaking up. He is at Westpoint and wants to focus on his goals and doesn’t think a girlfriend is in his plan. Frank has always wanted to fly and become a pilot. So, when he gets into Westpoint he won’t let anything stop him. He is one to face obstacles head-on and then overcome them. But a few hiccups and injuries remind him that he has to be ready to adapt to anything. And during this time he realizes how much he misses Susan. Like everything else, he wants to reach his goal, and this time his goal is to win Susan back. He goes back home and tells Susan that he wants her back and although she still has feelings for him she is dating another man. But Frank is persistent and just a short time later they are engaged to be married. Married life is a start to their new lives together. Susan has always felt that she wasn’t good at much so she will do her best to be the perfect military wife. She reads a book called ‘The Army Wives’ and realizes that this life isn’t easy but putting her husband first is what’s expected. Susan and Frank really love each other and this is so apparent. Frank is always away for work and yet he knows that he can always count on Susan to keep him going. And when they start their family and have kids, Frank starts moving up in his career and that means Susan is taking on the family and keeping the home together. When Frank joins the Apollo 8 mission, this is both a momentous and memorable time. Frank is under pressure and he also wants to make this mission successful. This is a time when Susan begins to have a hard time keeping everything together like she is so accustomed to. She begins to feel more anxious because she knows there is a 50/50 chance that Frank won’t return home. Susan has a nervous breakdown and really feels lost. Who is she is she isn’t the perfect wife or perfect mother? She has to find that out for herself and Frank wants to help her do just that. She goes to a facility and it is also a time of reflection for Frank. Being alone with the kids and without Susan makes him realize how he took advantage of Susan’s calmness. He realizes how much she had to hide her emotions so that he could succeed. What is so amazing about Frank and Susan is that no matter what they went through, their love always shined through. I haven’t cried or shed tears in a long time when I read a book, and I did this time! This is such a powerful book about love and how it overcomes all things. |
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I give Far Side of the Moon 5 stars. It is a great read for readers who enjoy nonfiction and also for those who love a real and raw love story. I’m so glad that I got a chance to read this book because it is so hopeful and had a true impact on me.
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