The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe

The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe is a non-fiction book chronicling the story of the U.S. space program. Published in 1979, The Right Stuff is the result of years of research and writing by Wolfe, who was granted access to NASA's archives and personnel in order to portray the events leading up to, and through, the first U.S. manned space mission.

The book focuses on the astronauts of Project Mercury and their physical, mental and emotional struggles as they prepared to become the first seven Americans to fly into space. Wolfe describes in vivid detail the rigorous selection process undergone by the original astronauts, their extreme physical, psychological and spiritual preparation, and the gripping race to beat the Soviets to space.

The Right Stuff intertwines the personal stories of the astronauts along with the team of engineers who helped make their mission possible. Wolfe’s book details the rigorous requirements that the pilots had to pass in order to qualify as astronaut material, including being chosen by a panel of test pilots, physical and psychological examinations and in-depth interviews.

The book also covers the buildup to the first successful U.S. space launch, including the day-to-day events and relentless pressure placed on the astronauts and their support staff to make their mission successful. While providing an insider's look at the people who made space exploration possible, Wolfe takes the reader beyond the technical aspects of the mission to explore the personal struggles of these brave men.

The Right Stuff also presents an engaging account of the technology and challenges associated with early space exploration. Wolfe presents in detail the special materials and systems developed for space travel as well as the painstaking process of testing and refining each nautical craft.

The ending of the book is set on July 16th, 1969 when Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin and Michael Collins lifted off in Apollo 11. That same day Wolfe arrives in New York to accompany the astronauts’ families and the world’s press in their vigil for the mission’s safe return.

In the end, The Right Stuff is a compelling glimpse into the human spirit and provides an unflinching look at the courage and hard work it took to put a man on the moon. Wolfe’s writing captures both the technical and human elements of space exploration as he has emerged as one of the most compelling journalists of modern history.