Dont Blow Yourself Up, Homer Hickam
Dont Blow Yourself Up, Homer Hickam
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Don't Blow Yourself Up
The Further True Adventures and Travails of the Rocket Boy of October Sky

Author: Homer Hickam

Narrator: Patrick Lawlor

Unabridged: 12 hr 17 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 04/26/2022


Synopsis

From Homer Hickam, the author of the #1 bestselling Rocket Boys adapted into the beloved film October Sky, comes this astonishing memoir of high adventure, war, love, NASA, and his struggle for literary success.

Homer Hickam's memoir Rocket Boys and the movie adaptation October Sky have become one of the most popular stories in the world, inspiring millions to pursue a better life. But what happened to Homer after he was a West Virginia rocket boy? In his latest memoir, Homer recounts his life in college where he built the world's biggest, baddest game cannon, fought through some of the worst battles in Vietnam, became a scuba instructor, discovered sunken U-boats, wrote the definitive account of a World War II naval battle, befriended Tom Clancy, made a desperate attempt to save the passengers of a sunken river boat, trained the first Japanese astronauts, taught David Letterman to scuba dive, helped to fix the Hubble Space Telescope, wrote his number one bestselling Rocket Boys, and was on set during the making of October Sky. Although told with humor and wit, Hickam does not shy away from the pain and hardship endured and the mistakes he made during the tumultuous decades since his life in the town he made famous—Coalwood, West Virginia.

About Homer Hickam

Homer Hickam is the author of many books, including the acclaimed memoir Rocket Boys that was adapted into the film October Sky. His awards for writing are many and include the University of Alabama's Clarence Cason Award and Shepherd University's Appalachian Heritage Author's Award. He was raised in the coalfields of West Virginia and graduated from Virginia Tech. He is also a Vietnam veteran, a scuba instructor, a retired NASA engineer, an amateur paleontologist who has discovered numerous dinosaurs, serves on the boards of the United States Space & Rocket Center (Space Camp) and the Museum of the Rockies, and was appointed in 2019 as an advisor to the National Space Council. He also volunteers for feral cat rescue programs.

Homer and his wife share their time between homes in Alabama and the U.S. Virgin Islands.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jess on March 02, 2024

This book was misfiled as the fourth book of the Coalwood series on Goodreads. That is simply incorrect. This book was essentially Chicken Soup from a Coalwoodian. A bit preachy with some stories from others who grew up in coal towns. All of the ideals and themes were present in the trilogy that is......more

Goodreads review by Jan on June 26, 2024

Written in response to the cruelty of 9/11, Hickam explains the wisdom his hometown used to combat a fearful life. The book is filled with the wit of small town America. I agreed with most of the suppositions but there were a few that I strongly disagreed with. Would I still be welcomed in Coalwood?......more

Goodreads review by Daniel on January 29, 2018

My favorite author of all time and a great, great American. Homer Hickam exemplifies America in every possible way. His story and the story of his hometown are everything good and great about our country. I found a lot of strength in myself by reading this book.......more

Goodreads review by Kim on March 30, 2020

Considering what’s happening in our world right now it’s a very relevant book. I loved how his parents and the small mining town where he lived all gave him the tools for a successful and life without the option of giving up.......more

Goodreads review by Ann on July 23, 2009

Every teen and adult in America should read this book wherein Homer Hickam describes the sources of the strength and courage that characterized the people of his hometown, Coalwood, West Virginia. He combines his narrative with funny stories and his own life experiences. All of the families who live......more