The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe
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Book Reviews of The Right Stuff
Book Review: One of the most entertaining nonfiction books I've read
Summary: 5 Stars
Wolfe really keeps you on the edge of your seat, and despite being accused of taking liberties with the literal truth still creates a book that will teach you a great deal about the history of the early days of the American space program. This is one of the only nonfiction books I've read that reads like a well written novel. I will be diving further into the Wolfe cannon because this book was so good.Book Review: the right stuff - the right stuff!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read The Right Stuff three times (a previous copy). I made the mistake of loaning the book to somebody but I don't recall who. I consider it such a "must have" book in my library that I have replaced it.Book Review: The Beginning of Manned Spaceflight!
Summary: 4 Stars
Tom Wolfe's research for The Right Stuff, is more historically accurate than the movie version. The book was warmly received by the astronaut community, especially among the surviving members of the original Mercury 7 astronauts. The book goes back to the beginning to the test pilots flying from Murac Field, now known as Edwards Air Force Base. The early jet and rocket research conducted at Edwards Air Force Base, led to Project Mercury, Project Gemini, Project Apollo and the Space Shuttle. You can very easily get lost in the pages of this book. Not only did Mr. Wolfe do his research on the historic aspect of the book, he also researched the personal lives of the pilots, including Chuck Yeager and Scott Crossfield. As the book comes forward in time, Mr. Wolfe researched the personal lives of the Mercury 7 astronauts. The competition for astronaut selection, was intense and in competition with the Soviet Union. After the selection of the Mercury 7, the astronauts did have an agreement with Life Magazine to do their life stories. This is one aspect of the movie that agrees with the book. The Media's aggressive way in pursuing their stories, was not too well received by the astronauts. The issue regarding "extra-ciricular" was mentioned in the book and the movie. The way the issue was presented in the movie, was completely different than the book version. In the book, Gus Grissom was accurately presented, a pilot and an engineer. After the explosive bolts on the access hatch of Liberty Bell 7 were activated, Grissom was concerned. He also wanted to find the answers on why they activated. It was later theorized, static electricity from the rotor wash of the recovery helicopter, led to the accidential activation of the explosive bolts and the loss of the Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft. The way Gus Grissom was portrayed in the movie, was not to well received by the astronaut community, especially among the surviving members of the Mercury 7 astronauts. In an interview of Wally Schirra that I seen years later on NASA Television, Captain Schirra talked about this very issue. Captain Schirra stated the book was more historically accurate. He didn't agree with the way the story was presented and did not agree with the way Gus Grissom was portrayed in the movie. Captain Schirra stated, the movie should have been titled "Animal House in Space!" One of the other astronauts who was mentioned in the book, was Deke Slayton. When Captain Slayton was selected for astronaut training, he had an irregular heartbeat. NASA's medical staff were hoping the condition would clear itself, before Slayton made his first spaceflight. Deke Slayton would have made his first mission, after John Glenn. A few months before his mission, the irregular heartbeat did not clear itself. Medical stardards at that time, forced the NASA flight surgeon to remove Deke Slayton from his flight and was replaced by Scott Carpenter. Deke Slayton became the Director of Flight Crew Operations and was a very effective and respected leader of the astronaut community.
For anyone who is interested in the beginning of the jet age and the early years of the space program, The Right Stuff is recommended reading. The book presents a excellent overview of that time in history and it explores the personal lives of the test pilots and the astronauts. After reading the book, the Internet will allow you to do any follow-up or detailed research on the subject if you so choose.
Book Review: Interesting, but too sensational, and not historically accurate enough
Summary: 2 Stars
This book covers a fascinating period in America's history, and the fascinating handful of men who became America's first astronauts. However, I am sorry to say that it is not very well written. In many cases it is factually inaccurate, and if you know anything about flying or the space program, than certain mistakes or misconceptions become glaringly obvious as you read this book. Furthermore, the book is just plain too sensational. It over-states and hypes up the danger and the thrill-seeking, without paying enough attention to the technical expertise and scientific knowledge required of test pilots and astronauts. Tom Wolfe does no justice to the space program, to test pilots, or to astronauts, in this over-hyped, under-accurate book. If you want the real story of NASA, read about it from someone who was in the program, or at least from someone who is going to take the time to research their facts and write a good book. Several other authors - Michael Collins, Chuck Yeager, and others, wrote much more enjoyable, much more accurate, and much more meaningful contributions to the history of the space program and the test pilots of the 60's.
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