"Magnificent Desolation" by Buzz Aldrin

Buzz Aldrin's latest memoir, "Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon" holds nothing back as Aldrin reveals his struggles with depression and alcoholism following his voyage to the moon. Indeed, the events of July 20, 1969 occupy only about 20 percent of the book, the rest dealing with the inevitable letdown that followed the Apollo 11 mission. This book is honest and, though not as well-written as his previous memoir "Men from Earth," authentic and, for the most part, humble.

This is not to say the book is without flaws. There are places where a little more editing could have been used. Aldrin's seeming disdain in some places for medication to treat depression might be seen as blase. There are times where the moral seems to be that all that is required for a man to beat depression is the love of a good woman. The final third of the book often seems to be promotion for SpaceShare, a non-profit venture to promote civilian space travel.

Still, it is hard to fault him in his zeal for space travel and exploration, and as a rallying cry for progress in these fields "Magnificent Desolation" is valuable. One can forgive the occasional lapses in his humility, such as when he refers to himself as "a visionary often stymied by a bureaucratic maze" (311) if only because he is one of twelve people ever to have set foot on another world. And any voice attempting to rouse us to the greater exploration of space should be considered.

"I believe," he concludes, "that mankind must explore or expire. We must venture outward" Amen.