A Most Extraordinary Ride

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

A captivating and inspiring memoir by Canada's first man in space.

On October 5th, 1984, Marc Garneau made history. Blasting off from the Kennedy Space Center aboard the U.S. Space Shuttle, he became the first Canadian to fly to outer space. That monumental achievement, now etched in history as one of our country’s proudest moments, inspired a nation and ushered in a new era ofspace exploration for Canada. Twenty-four years later, Garneau made history yet again, becoming the first astronaut to be elected as a Member of Parliament.
Between those two milestones in Garneau’s unprecedented career, he was the first non-American to serve as CAPCOM, the voice of Mission Control for the astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle. Garneau would also become the first Canadian to log three trips into orbit, and would lead the Canadian Space Agency through its most dynamic years.
In the House of Commons, Garneau served as Minister of Transport and Minister of Foreign Affairs, during some of the biggest events of the past decade: the onset of one of the worst pandemics in modern times; the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban; and the death of eighty-five Canadian citizens and permanent residents aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, shot down by Iran.
When Marc Garneau announced his retirement after fourteen years in government, many Canadianslamented the loss of an upstanding parliamentarian who was not afraid to speak up for causes he believed in, even if that meant bucking his own party.
In A Most Extraordinary Ride, Garneau chronicles his once-improbable ascent from mischievous teenager and rebellious naval midshipman to decorated astronaut and statesman representing Canada on the worldstage—both on and off the planet. With great candour Garneau describes the highs and lows of his life and career, including the awe he experienced upon first seeing Earth from space, the tragic loss of his first wife to mental illness and suicide, sailing across the Atlanticand back in a sailboat called The Pickle, and witnessing the tragedy of the doomed shuttle Challenger.
Honest and illuminating, A Most Extraordinary Ride is a rare journey into the early years of Canada’s space program and an inside account of the joys and challenges of governing, from one of the country's most distinguished citizens.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs