To Space and Back: A Memoir

by Mark Goddard

What made Mark Goddard kidnap a wooden Indian? Why was he arrested for carrying a Colt 45 in Boston? How did he deal with his infant daughter's disappearance? "Danger, danger Will Robinson" is a phrase Mark Goddard often heard in his role as Major Don West in the 1960's hit television series Lost in Space. During his real life, the phrase he should have heeded was "Danger, danger Mark Goddard." This memoir maps Goddard's roundtrip journey from a small town boy to a TV star and back again recounting humorous anecdotes about co-stars and celebrities like Billy Mumy, Peter Fonda, Buddy Hackett, and Jim Brown. This trip gets bumpy along the way, though, with two failed marriages and a career nosedive before Goddard has the realization that changes his life. Told with humor and candor, To Space and Back gives the reader a roller coaster ride equal to any side trip the Jupiter II took on its way to Alpha Centauri.

120 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 2008

Reviews

[Christopher Obert · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was growing up, like everyone else, I had my heroes. One of my biggest was the character Major Don West on TV’s “Lost in Space” played by actor Mark Goddard. When I found out that Mark had written a memoir I had to read it. When I went searching for it on the Internet, I read that some people were disappointed with his book because the book did not have much information on Mark’s Lost in Space days. I too was disappointed when I heard that news. But I had to read the book anyway…and I’m glad that I did!

First off I ordered the book from Mark himself, which was very cool because he signed the book for me. Second, being an author myself, I always like ordering books from the authors so that the money goes right to the author with no middle men involved. And third, it was a great book. It is true that the book only has a small section devoted to Lost in Space but if you think about it, Lost in Space was only a small part of Mark’s life, so it should only have a small part in the book.

What I found was that Mark was more than just a character on a TV show but a man trying to make his way in the world. I found many similarities between Mark’s life and my own life. Not in so much the things that we did. I was never an actor and things like that, but we felt the same emotions. We worried about our careers, we tried to be good husbands and fathers, and we have had money problems…all things “real” people think about. I really enjoyed the book because Mark tells us the truth. He informs us about the times he was happy and sad, successful and not so, when things went his way and when they didn’t. Most times when you talk with someone they tell you about all of the great things they have accomplished. Mark tells it like it is, good and bad. You may have noticed that I have not mentioned in my review what Mark talks about in his book. Well, Mark talks about Mark, and if you want to know his story I will let his book do the talking. It is his story after all! One thing that I will say is that after reading his book, I now know that one of my all time favorite heroes is a lot like me. And I feel good about that!

[Alexandra Iliadis · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is very little about Lost in Space in this book, but what he does mention essentially trashes the show and he makes it out to be his career ender and an embarrassment. Considering the only people buying this book are fans of Lost in Space, I'm not particularly impressed. To be honest, his attitude towards women and relationships leaves much to be desired also.

[mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Goddard holds little back in his story about his life. It's an interesting, entertaining, and ultimately educating read. If you are a fan of Lost In Space, I believe that you will like getting to know the man behind the big silver ray gun!