Praise for Dinner with an Astronaut "Dr. Leroy Chiao, born of two cultures and working in two more cultures, describes his career as an astronaut from the inside of NASA''s old system of training and flying astronauts--then from the outside, as an observer of our new era of space flying. With a cross-cultural dinner menu as our guide, which includes dumplings, peanut butter, and spam, you''ll learn why Leroy wanted to fly. He presents a crisp history of how World War II shaped space travel, and ultimately, his career, which includes a few close calls. Living through a dramatic transition at NASA, Dr. Chiao has insight as to how entrepreneurs, inspired by the old system, but not a product of it, are carrying space-flyers farther and deeper into space (literal new heights). Have we reached a limit? Read on."--Bill Nye, Science Educator, CEO The Planetary Society "In the more than two years of traveling the world together training for our first spaceflight, not to mention the fifteen days we shared aboard Space Shuttle Columbia during the STS-65 mission, I have had the privilege of dining with Leroy on hundreds of occasions.

Dinner With an Astronaut is the next best thing to dining with Leroy in person. This inspiring and entertaining first-hand account of what it''s like in space from one of America''s most accomplished space explorers will leave you with a blend of deep satisfaction, contentment, and warmth, as every great meal does."--Don Thomas, NASA Astronaut, STS-65, 70, 83, 94 "Pull up a seat--Leroy Chiao is serving a behind the scenes story of spaceflight, one course at a time. In Dinner with an Astronaut, the veteran NASA Commander traces the appetite that took him from a childhood dream (seasoned by the grit and perspective of his Chinese heritage) to the razor-edged reality of relentless training, teamwork, and launch day. The Michelin 5 star main dish: what it actually feels like to leave the planet, describes the thunder in your bones, the sudden weightlessness, and the quiet, jaw-dropping moment when Earth stops being a place and becomes a glowing blue world in the window. It''s intimate, funny, and surprisingly human--this is a rare seat at the table with someone who has actually left the planet, many times."--Scott Dulchavsky, Surgeon in Chief, Henry Ford Health "This is a story of passion, purpose, and persistence, combining to achieve something hypergolic. In these pages, he invites you to pull up a chair, share a meal, and discover how big dreams are built--one question, one story, and one bold step at a time.

"--Miles O''Brien, Science Journalist and Filmmaker "I''ve shared many dinners with Leroy, and this book feels just like that--smart, fun, and full of real space stories."--Mike Sandler, CEO of Epiphan Video "Leroy serves up a delicious insight and a smorgasbord of detail on the recipe for the making of an astronaut, his unique and inspiring story a testament to the value of perseverance in making dreams come true. Dinner with an Astronaut is a must read for anyone wondering what it means to have ''the right stuff!''"--Andy Turnage, Executive Director of the Association of Space Explorers "This friendly read often translates the complex technical and policy intentions of space exploration at a clear, understandable level. The result is a wide-ranging compendium of ''frequently asked questions'' answered by a veteran astronaut who discovered his aspirations as a child of Chinese immigrants explained in terms that all of us can understand. Along the way, Leroy reveals his evolving and maturing views of why exploration challenges are so hard, yet human nature compels us to conquer them. The result is both inspiring and informative."--Sean O''Keefe, 10th NASA Administrator, 2001-2005 "A real pleasure to read. Recommended to all space enthusiasts.

"-- Mikhail Kornienko, Roscosmos cosmonaut, Hero of Russia, participant of ISS expedition 23/24; 43/44/45/46 "Dinner with an Astronaut is a fabulous compilation of details about space flight, from the history to the politics to the technology. All this laid out in bite-sized (no pun intended) vignettes makes for an interesting read that is truly new with the turn of just a few pages. Leroy''s personal experiences provide a very real and tangible perspective one can feel. This is a unique work all can and should experience; even avid space enthusiasts will discover something new."--John Lippert, Medical Device Entrepreneur and founder and former CEO of Scientia Vascular "A wonderful chef''s tasting menu of an astronaut''s personal journey, with interesting historical details and perspectives on human space exploration. Leroy Chiao has the right stuff and is articulate, humorous and a great story teller."--Jeffrey P. Sutton, MD, PhD, Friedkin Professor and Director, BCM Center for Space Medicine.