Author
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Topic: Books about life of a 1960s astronaut?
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stsmithva Member Posts: 1933 From: Fairfax, VA, USA Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 12-11-2016 09:35 PM
What books would you recommend that tells what it was like to be an astronaut in the 1960s? I'd like to read about "typical" (if such a word can describe the experiences of space pioneers) experiences such as the astronaut selection process; official duties like training and specializing in one aspect of missions for the good of all the astronauts; and unofficial aspects of being an astronaut like the stress of suddenly becoming a public figure.I know some astronaut autobiographies do a particularly good job of telling such a story. I'd have to think that Michael Collins' "Carrying the Fire" is one of the best. But then there must be books written by others that describe in detail what life was like for an Mercury, Gemini and/or Apollo astronaut during the 99 percent of the time he wasn't in space. Which would you recommend? (In addition to Chaikin's "A Man on the Moon.") |
Kevmac Member Posts: 267 From: College Station, TX Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 12-11-2016 11:02 PM
"We Seven: By the Astronauts Themselves" — every spaceflight fan should have this book. |
stsmithva Member Posts: 1933 From: Fairfax, VA, USA Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 12-12-2016 06:09 AM
That is a good one — and then of course there is "The Right Stuff." But I'd like to hear about others that cover more of the 1960s, beyond Mercury. |
Paul78zephyr Member Posts: 675 From: Hudson, MA Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 12-12-2016 04:03 PM
"The All American Boys" by Apollo 7 astronaut Walt Cunningham. Written in 1977 it is one of the best books out there on the subject you inquired about. http://www.waltercunningham.com/the_all_american_boys.htm |
p51 Member Posts: 1642 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 12-12-2016 05:59 PM
Others will likely disagree, but I found that "The Making Of An Ex-Astronaut" by Brian O'Leary was a very interesting book, illustrating some aspects of how they picked people back then. |