Description
Humanity, along with all life on Earth, faces a crisis that threatens our very survival. This demands nothing less than a profound evolution of our consciousness. We can meet this challenge only by transcending our individual and collective egos and embracing the true nature of our interdependence with every living thing on the planet, as well as the planet itself.
In Floating in Darkness: A Journey of Evolution, Desert Storm fighter pilot veteran and NASA astronaut Ron Garan sees the crisis coming as he takes an extraordinary journey through war and peace, conflict and love—through both outer space and inner space. Defined by dramatic experiences in war and later in orbit, Ron’s voyage transforms him from a man focused on career and compassion only for his immediate “tribe” to one with a grave concern for the wellbeing of humanity and the planet we share with all living creatures.
In this outing, the second volume of the Orbital Perspective trilogy and the follow-up to his critically acclaimed first book, The Orbital Perspective: Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles, we travel with Ron on his journey of evolution. We’re there as he explores the dancing, intersecting orbits of religion, spirituality, and science. We’re with him as he ponders nuclear deterrence, and grapples with the effects of war on the human body, mind and soul — and his own role in the violence of combat. We see the universe through his eyes, from the ocean floor to Earth orbit and back. We witness Ron struggling with what it means to be mortal and basking in the sheer wonder and beauty of our world and beyond.
Ron shows us how to find purpose and find ways to detoxify our divisive culture, how to become a “white blood cell” in a growing immune response to heal our world. In Floating in Darkness, he shows us how to build a restorative and positive future for all.
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About the Author
Former NASA astronaut and highly decorated combat fighter pilot Ron Garan racked up 178 days in space and more than 71 million miles in 2,842 orbits between tours on the International Space Station, flying on the US Space Shuttle and Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Prior to those journeys, he conducted research in the world’s only undersea research lab, Aquarius. A former test pilot and graduate of the US Naval Test Pilot School, Ron taught hundreds of elite fighter pilots how to “up their game” as an instructor pilot at the prestigious USAF Fighter Weapons School, the Air Force version of the Navy’s Top Gun. Today, Ron is celebrated for his research in space and for his humanitarian contribution to all life on Earth. To learn more about him, visit www.rongaran.com.
John Higgins –
First-hand account of astronaut Ron Garan’s life and his time on the International Space Station. Very engaging read. I loved it!
JoJo Maxson –
Floating in Darkness by Ron Garan allows you to live through his experiences as an astronaut and pilot. But his life hasn’t always been held as a hero, as his younger years were filled with bad behavior and shenanigans. Growing up in New York, the author had learned many valuable lessons, some of them through tough experiences. He learned to box at an early age with helped him defend himself, but it also taught him the importance of training to win.
I found Floating in Darkness fascinating while Ron Garan gives us just a taste of the skill, training, and dedication needed to be one of the elites in the world of pilots, one who flies a rocket. Very few are qualified to write this book, yet the author’s cleverness and humor make this memorable. I laughed reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed the journey.
I received this book as an ARC read and am so glad I did.
Grady Harp –
Colorado author Colonel Ron Garan studied Aerospace engineering at the University of Florida, business economics at State University of New York, Oneonta, and Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, has served as a US Air Force fighter and test pilot, a decorated NASA astronaut (178 days in space on both the US Space shuttle and the Russian Soyuz spacecraft), a humanitarian, and a social entrepreneur. He is the Former CEO and Founder of Impact CoLab, and the co-founder of Manna Energy Limited to leverage the carbon market for finance humanitarian projects for water treatment and purification. His initial book was THE ORBITAL PERSPECTIVE.
The impact of the author’s wisdom and humanitarian compassion is heighten by his poetic delivery of his thought processes as an astronaut, that special vantage from outer space looking back at our planet, as he so clearly demonstrates in the Prologue: ‘In a single flash, the dark and still universe explodes in an exponential fury of light and energy. Specific points of matter align under the careful supervision of an invisible design. Creative intuition seamlessly merges with disciplined focus, forming specific points of universal matter. Each point of matter is imbued with an important predestined and necessary purpose that serves a greater plan – a note in a grand and ancient symphony. As more matter organizes into groups and functions, an altruistic hierarchy develops. At the top of the hierarchy, groups transmit and receive the most precious natural resource in the universe; information. Information ripples in waves and bursts from all points and in all directions. Individual points of matter communicate with each other over vast distances – a cosmic dance. As the complexity of the material universe reaches critical mass, a primordial certainty echoes throughout creation in a loud, simultaneous proclamation: We are one! A silent sleep then gently descends upon the creation.’
The book is a true story – a journal Garan kept during his quest to become an astronaut and letters written during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. As the provided synopsis states – ‘Humanity faces an unprecedented crisis that threatens all life on Earth. Ron takes us on an extraordinary journey through outer space and inner space. He explores the dancing, intersecting orbits of religion, spirituality, and science while grappling with his own role in the violence of combat and the effects of war on all aspects of human life. We witness Ron struggling with mortality while also basking in the sheer wonder and beauty of our world and beyond. From this perspective, Ron maps out a viable path forward – to solve our crisis we need a giant leap in humanity’s evolutionary process. We must transcend individual and collective ego and embrace the true nature of our interdependence with this fragile planet and all life within its biosphere. Ron shows us how to discover our purpose, detoxify our divisive culture, and become a “white blood cell” in a growing immune response to heal our world.’
After absorbing the beauty of this book, the author offers – ‘Here is my challenge to you: In your every thought, word, and action, strive to be a positive part of our required course correction. Every day, provide countless small, positive, unifying nudges to the trajectory of our society. You are more powerful than you can imagine, and together, we are unstoppable.’ Bracing insights and compassion and hope – all delivered by a man of impressive thoughtfulness and concern for our existence. Very Highly Recommended! Grady Harp, April 21
V.E –
Floating in Darkness by Ron Garan is truly a stellar book that recounts the author’s experiences as both a NASA astronaut and US Air Force Fighter, along with other significant times in his life. These perspectives lend themselves well to this style of book, open, hopeful, and thoughtful. This book is based on a true story, capturing journal entries from the author during his time in Desert Storm. Garan has a profound belief in God, and that experience resonates through this compelling book. His style is one of reflection, and deep belief in science, while also believing in a creator. Quite an interesting read, and one that is wholly recommended.
B.B –
Author Ron Garan has spent 178 days in space and has traveled more than 71 million miles in 2,842 orbits of our planet. He flew on both the US Space Shuttle and Russian Soyuz spacecraft where accomplished four spacewalks, which gives him the perfect platform of wisdom and experience to share with the readers of “Floating in Darkness”.
This is a true account of one mans journey on his mission to become an astronaut, Garan takes you with him on this exciting crusade, providing the reader with appealing adventures and amazing tales. The authors main point throughout the book is one of inspiration, hope and of unity, the fight to achieve what sometimes felt like the impossible dream but with grit and sheer determination if you put your mind to it you can reach any goal you desire, especially if humanity strives to help each other and as the blurb states “Together we will systematically break down the divisive walls that keep us apart. We will bridge gaps and unify effort”. Highly recommended.
Janalyn –
This book is wonderfully written in the beginning is a beautiful poetic explanation of the big bang theory… At least that’s what I think it was, LOL! The story reads like a novel and I found it so interesting from playing on the football field to jumping out of a jet to fly in space these are all things the author has known and done first hand and that is what gives us book the great authenticity it has. His explanations of views from space the international friendships with astronauts from other countries the whole book is fabulous and I highly recommend it. Even if space doesn’t interest you trust me when I say it is much more than that and so were three. I can’t say enough about this but I really truly enjoyed it. Overall I think the point of this book is the same thing we all grapple with, why are we here? And in this book he tries his best to answer that at least for himself.
A.C –
This book is written by my Desert Storm roommate, Fighter pilot extraordinaire, and astronaut in both Space Shuttle and Soyez. He’s an amazing guy, but what is most inspiring about this book is the seemingly unbeatable challenges that he overcomes while at the same time making a very important point about what’s required to make a better world! This book makes you want to be a better human being!
Thomas Bryan –
I thought this was an excellent book. Ron Garan has had such an accomplished life, from being a fighter pilot to an astronaut and aquanaut. This book focuses on how each of his experiences changed his outlook on life and humanity, and evolved into an understanding of how we are all interconnected. Part adventure story, part philosophy, all well written and compelling.
Emerson Rose Craig –
“I am awake. For the first time, I realize that the communication I experience constantly is coming from me. I am awake is my first acknowledged thought.”
Floating in Darkness – A Journey of Evolution is a truly unique look at the world. Author Ron Garan spent his career as an astronaut and uses his book to explore his own life, space, and the complexities of the human race.
The opening of the book is a fascinating beginning to the story and gives a lot of depth to the narrative voice of the author. The book chronicles Garan’s life beginning with his birth and delving into the big moments that shaped Garan including his time in the air force and NASA. The book is humorous, intriguing, humble, and clever. I really enjoyed the level of detail that Garan uses to pull the reader into the moment. Garan knows how to pull you into his journey and gives you a fascinating read.
The book is an intriguing, deep, and hopeful book. It is the kind of book that makes you consider both the external and internal worlds. I really enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it.
General –
Absolutely loved the “Dash” concept.