![]() ![]() ![]() This book appealed to me because of its focus on the “inner life” of the astronauts, rather than a simple (if dramatic) recounting of space missions. He documents not only the unique professional stresses they experienced, but also the stresses felt their families, too. Wolfe follows the men through the selection process, and their transition from test pilots to astronauts. The “Mercury Seven”, as they were known, were a group of college-educated US Airforce test pilots: Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, Gordon Cooper, Walter Schirra, Deke Slayton, John Glenn and Scott Carpenter. And it’s this that makes “The Right Stuff” a truly gripping read. But Wolfe spends more time looking into the personal lives of those astronauts chosen to participate. Obviously the project, and the “Space Race” with the USSR, is an important part of the book. It ran from 1958-1963, years before the Moon would become a viable destination. This project was the US government’s attempt to put a man into orbit around the Earth for the first time. Rather than focusing on the Apollo space programme, however, Wolfe decided focus instead on its predecessor: Project Mercury. With that in mind, I’ve decided to review Tom Wolfe’s fantastic non-fiction book, “The Right Stuff”. This week’s book review is inspired by the anniversary of the incredible 1969 moon landing. ![]() Sign up to our Weekly newsletter Subscribe to our magazine for more great content ![]()
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