A Most Extraordinary Ride

“Marc Garneau has stood out as a leader and a beacon, ever since I first knew him as a young cadet. Despite facing demanding challenges, even then, he projected a unique blend of optimism and fearlessness that served him and all those under his command well—both at sea and in outer space. Years later, we were together in the Liberal caucus, where he maintained that positive serenity and stable confidence, even in turbulent times. In A Most Extraordinary Ride, Marc Garneau shares much more than how to become an astronaut, or a politician. With honesty and optimism, he shares how to rise, again and again—from life’s falls and failures, pushes and punches—all the way to the stars.”
—Lieutenant-General (ret’d) The Honourable Roméo Dallaire

“Marc Garneau is a national hero. Period. He has lived more life than most of us ever will, all of it deeply rooted in public service. Here he lays bare his two identities: the astronaut and the politician—one fixated on the challenges of space, the other, the challenges of making a better country. Garneau isn’t afraid to confront the twists and turns of his own journey, ones we never knew about, while exposing the strengths and weaknesses of those around him. It is a blunt telling of a remarkable life both above earth and on it—a life fuller than even he may realize.”
—Peter Mansbridge

“With characteristic humility and modesty, Marc Garneau leads us through his lifetime of adventure, accomplishment, and challenge in public service as a naval officer, astronaut, and politician… . Along the way we learn the strength of resilience from his personal insights derived through setbacks, tragedy, and persistence. This is a masterwork of a principled public servant whose contributions demonstrate a role model for our time.”
—Sean O’Keefe, NASA Administrator, 2001-05

“This is the story of a courageous explorer, scientist, public servant, and patriot. I became a Marc Garneau fan and follower from the moment he became Canada’s first astronaut. He is the rare example of someone who was excellent at every role he took on, from naval officer to astronaut to Parliamentarian. Humble, open, thoughtful, and ever gracious, Marc’s story should inspire pride in all Canadians. He is one of our best.”
—Hon. John Manley

“Marc Garneau’s ‘extraordinary ride’ gives us a front seat on his journey of purpose and public service. His story is a reminder that even in this age of cynicism, politics is still where good people can make a difference. Marc’s courageous decision to harness his lifetime of accomplishment and bring to bear his intelligence, judgment, decency, integrity, and kindness into politics was a gift to all Canadians. I hope this story inspires other accomplished citizens to step up, and have the courage to put their names on ballots.”
—Hon. Scott Brison, P.C.

Marc Garneau distinguished himself in three distinct fields. As a naval officer with the Canadian Armed Forces, he spent ten years as a combat systems engineer. In 1984, Garneau became the first Canadian astronaut to go to space and, from 2001 to 2005, was president of the Canadian Space Agency. As a federal politician, he served as Liberal House leader, Minister of Transport, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Marc Garneau died in June 2025, and is survived by his wife and four children.

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