Letters of Note: Outer Space

by Shaun Usher (Compiler)

An irresistible new volume of missives about outer space, from the author of the bestselling Letters of Note collections

In Letters of Outer Space , Shaun Usher brings together fascinating correspondence about the universe beyond our planet, containing hopeful thoughts about the future of space travel, awestruck messages penned about the world beyond our own and celebrations of the human ingenuity that has facilitated our understanding of the cosmos.

Includes letters
Buzz Aldrin, Isaac Asimov,
Marion Carpenter, Yuri Gagarin,
Ann Druyan, Stanley Kubrick,
Nikola Tesla, Neil DeGrasse Tyson
& many more

Genres: Science

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2021

About the author

Shaun Usher is a writer, editor, and compulsive collector of remarkable words. He is the author of Letters of Note, an international bestseller that began life as a blog and grew into a celebrated series of books and inspired the live stage show Letters Live, which he has co-produced since 2013. He has published 16 books so far, covering everything from love and grief to music, dogs, and outer space, and in October 2025 will release his 17th, Diaries of Note: 366 Lives, One Day at a Time, a curated journey through a year’s worth of diary entries from history. He lives in Manchester with his wife, Karina, and their three children.

Reviews

[Zuska · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read. Some letters were more worth the read than others, but overall interesting. I'd give it 3.5 stars.

Collection is worth it for Akosua Haynes's letter to Margot Lee Shetterly RE her book "Hidden Figures." Seriously. Get your hand on a copy of this book just to read that letter. It's so good.
The letters between Betty Trier Berry and the Mount Wilson Observatory a$$ who offered her a pittance to come work in the Computing Division are heartbreaking.
The rest of the collection is pretty much all Great Men Of Space.

One can't help being a tad embarrassed for Ray Bradbury upon reading his letter to Arthur Schlesinger offering his services to President Kennedy, wangling for an invitation to the Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Space and listing his 14-minute film, one-act play, & upcoming staging of the Martian Chronicles by a French actor-mime-director as credentials. "So you see I have thought, written, and am now doing much, in many directions, about the Space Age." He also sent along two complete (autographed!) copies of his books, for Mr. Schlesinger and the President, marking out the stories that should be of most use/interest to the President.

Isaac Asimov, on the other hand, had the sense to respond to Adlai Stevenson's request for advice on matters astronomical with a polite letter expressing his belief in the importance of international cooperation and ending "I am an ivory-tower writer (dreamer, perhaps) and I feel completely unqualified to advise you in these practical matters." He did not include any copies, autographed or otherwise, of his works.

Near the end, Neil Armstrong's letter in reply to someone who believed the moon landings were a hoax and asking for his comment is priceless.

If you are looking for a nice reading snack between heavier reads, this would be a decent choice!

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly lovely compilation of letters about a subject I’m fascinated with. Highly recommend the audiobook, as it just gives it that little extra human touch.