
Susan Bugbee had no idea what life had in store for her when she married Frank Borman. However, she did know that their love would carry them through. Susan dutifully followed Frank all over the world as he graduated from West Point and chose to be a fighter pilot and then a test pilot which led him to a career with NASA. When Frank entered the Air Force, Susan read The Army Wife and followed the orders in the book as Frank followed orders for a mission. She didn't bother Frank with household details or concerns about herself or the kids and always had a nice outward appearance and a smile on her face. When Frank went to space in the Gemini 7 mission and later in Apollo 8, Susan's anxiety, depression and addiction began to take over as she had watched so many other military and astronaut wives bury their husbands. However, Frank and Susan's love only grew throughout their time together and when Susan needed help, Frank was there for her. Susan received the treatment she needed and went on to help other wives who have been through the same traumas.
Far Side of the Moon is not only a story of the amazing astronaut Frank Borman, but of the outstanding woman who supported him through everything- Susan Borman. The focus is on their relationship and how Susan dealt with the hectic, uncertain and suspenseful nature of being married to a fighter pilot and astronaut. Susan's early life was punctuated by the death of her father, which her mother blamed her for. Left with a mother who was clearly narcissistic, Susan tried to make the best of things, but knew that something was missing from her life. Frank helped to fill in some of what Susan was missing, but in trying to fulfill the duties of a military wife, Susan slowly lost herself. Susan's story outlines the trials of a military wife and the disconnect of what she is feeling inside with what she had to present to the outside world. Susan stated that as military wives "they didn't get to experience the need to touch glory in some way. They just had to sit quietly and stoically and hope to God they never saw the black car pull up in their driveway." Seeing so many of her friend's husbands die doing the same thing that Frank was doing was a contributing part to Susan's depression, addiction and anxiety. While Susan was dealing with all these feelings and raising a family, Frank's mission-based mindset led him to command Gemini 7 and Apollo 8. Gemini 7 was a record setting flight travelling more than 5.1 million miles and completed 206 orbits during 14 days in space. Apollo 8 made 10 orbits of the moon in 24 hours and broadcasted from space. While Frank's accomplishments will go down in history, he owed a lot to his wife and couldn't see the effect of his career until he was finished.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Far Side of the Moon is not only a story of the amazing astronaut Frank Borman, but of the outstanding woman who supported him through everything- Susan Borman. The focus is on their relationship and how Susan dealt with the hectic, uncertain and suspenseful nature of being married to a fighter pilot and astronaut. Susan's early life was punctuated by the death of her father, which her mother blamed her for. Left with a mother who was clearly narcissistic, Susan tried to make the best of things, but knew that something was missing from her life. Frank helped to fill in some of what Susan was missing, but in trying to fulfill the duties of a military wife, Susan slowly lost herself. Susan's story outlines the trials of a military wife and the disconnect of what she is feeling inside with what she had to present to the outside world. Susan stated that as military wives "they didn't get to experience the need to touch glory in some way. They just had to sit quietly and stoically and hope to God they never saw the black car pull up in their driveway." Seeing so many of her friend's husbands die doing the same thing that Frank was doing was a contributing part to Susan's depression, addiction and anxiety. While Susan was dealing with all these feelings and raising a family, Frank's mission-based mindset led him to command Gemini 7 and Apollo 8. Gemini 7 was a record setting flight travelling more than 5.1 million miles and completed 206 orbits during 14 days in space. Apollo 8 made 10 orbits of the moon in 24 hours and broadcasted from space. While Frank's accomplishments will go down in history, he owed a lot to his wife and couldn't see the effect of his career until he was finished.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.