The Orbital Perspective: Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles

The Orbital Perspective issues a call to action toward creating exponential, disruptive, positive progress in solving the challenges facing our global society. Supporting this call to action is a message of hope: valuable insights gleaned from exposure to some of the most remarkable events of our age are distilled here for the benefit of all people who want to create a better future for humanity and the Planet's ecosystems. The book covers many examples of good works ranging from individual achievements to feats of international cooperation - all of which serve as examples of the potential for instigating exponentially disruptive positive action. The book promotes the adoption of an Orbital Perspective in applying ourselves to the challenges we face and is a perspective that everyone should become familiar with... Suffice to say that it synthesises both an all-encompassing overview of a situation and the full understanding and consideration of the intricate details of how things operate at ground-level. It engenders respect, compassion, elevated empathy, creativity, a sense of gratitude, of interconnectedness and of unity among all people.

This story is a fascinating look at the barriers faced today as we all try, win, and fail, at solving the world’s biggest problems. Ron writes about the success of the International Space Shuttle (ISS), a collaboration of 15 countries across the world and how it came to be. His experiences at the ISS, and its incredible views, help him develop a realization that nothing is impossible. What happens once we realize that as human beings “our sphere of influence is in fact global”? Of course. The orbital perspective. The Orbital Perspective also left me thinking deeply about the actions we all take as we try to solve our biggest problems. Who do we ask to join us in the journey and why? My favorite part? As a child of the 80s who grew up watching the space shuttle rocket up into space, all of it. "The Orbital Perspective" is a story of hope, awareness, realizations and accomplishments. I highly recommend reading this book and delving deeper into the work that Ron Garan and others are involved with. And, if you can, try it from the comfort of a window seat of a 747, 36,000 miles up, with a view of the sun setting on the horizon. It is nothing short of spectacular.

I've never reviewed a book before. I've read lots of them, sure, but I've never gotten around to sharing my thoughts on something I've read. However after reading "The Orbital Perspective," the newly released book by astronaut Ron Garan, I've never felt so compelled to spread a universal message before. That is, the message of trust, hope, and global collaboration. Having flown in space twice, including a five and a half month flight to the International Space Station in 2011, Garan has seen the beauty of planet Earth from space. He beautifully recalls the history and stories of the US-Russian space programmes, and how both nations have evolved from being the bitterest of enemies, into the friendliest of partners on board the ISS. This is more than just a good book, nor is it just a book that only the space enthusiasts in your life should read. It appeals to everyone of all ages and nations who would like to see the Earth in a better state than it's already in. Immerse yourself in a journey around the world, hearing first-hand stories of successful cooperation between different nations and organisations working toward a common good, all from the comfort of your home!