The Astronaut Wives Club - Lily Koppel

The Astronaut Wives Club

By Lily Koppel

  • Release Date: 2013-06-11
  • Genre: History
Score: 4
4
From 248 Ratings
$11.99 On itunes Buy on Amazon

Description

Discover the true story of the women who stood beside some of the greatest heroes of American space travel in this New York Times bestseller that delivers "a truly great snapshot of the times" (Publishers Weekly) that inspired a limited TV series on ABC!

As America's Mercury Seven astronauts were launched on death-defying missions, television cameras focused on the brave smiles of their young wives. Overnight, these women were transformed from military spouses into American royalty. They had tea with Jackie Kennedy, appeared on the cover of Life magazine, and quickly grew into fashion icons.

Annie Glenn, with her picture-perfect marriage, was the envy of the other wives; JFK made it clear that platinum-blonde Rene Carpenter was his favorite; and licensed pilot Trudy Cooper arrived with a secret that needed to stay hidden from NASA. Together with the other wives they formed the Astronaut Wives Club, providing one another with support and friendship, coffee and cocktails.

As their celebrity rose--and as divorce and tragedy began to touch their lives--the wives continued to rally together, forming bonds that would withstand the test of time, and they have stayed friends for over half a century.

Reviews

  • Interesting

    4
    By Long legion
    I found out so much interesting information about the space program and the area in which I live (cocoa beach FL). That being said, I agree with others that have said it bounced a little chronologically. The writing was ok but some of the timelines skipped back and forth making it a little confusing. All in ask, a really worthwhile read.

  • Astronaut Wives Club review

    1
    By EulleGibbons
    Sophomoric. Poor transitions that made the story telling practically incoherent. No bibliography (!) or footnotes. How does a fact based book get published without substantiation? Really, don't waste the time or money on this one.

  • the astronaut wives club

    4
    By kjk1966
    I remember the events with amazing clarity. The women were incredibly strong. I wish that the author had gone into more depth on Apollo 13. How the astronauts and their wives survived this voyage is beyond me.

  • Not sorry I read it

    3
    By DGSawtell
    Felt jumbled. Didn't flow well. Would have been better if the pictures had been placed in the book with their accompanying storyline. No story for many if the wives. Still, I know more about these women than I did before reading. And I'm glad.

  • The Astronaut Wives Club

    3
    By Diana MEP
    The stories were interesting but I agree with others' comments about it being hard to follow who was with whom. Perhaps they should have put the pictures in with the chapters rather than at the end of the eBook. A nice read but not a page turner.

  • We've come a long way

    5
    By GrammaScout
    A fascinating view into the lives and works of the American family. Is there such a thing as "typical?" These families, especially these extraordinary women, illustrate better than any text book or class how we have changed and grown, warts and all. Thank you, AWC, for being out there, leading the charge. You are beacons to all of us.

  • Fantastic

    5
    By MJ2017TAMU
    I purchased this book to read on a recent trip overseas and I absolutely loved it! Although it can be a little hard to follow at times, the book delves into a side of NASA and the Space Race that is often overlooked. As a NASA history enthusiast, I was very pleased with the facts and the way that the families were represented. Witty and fast-paced, the book will leave you longing to drive to Houston & talk with these fine ladies yourself! Highly recommended!!

  • I loved this.

    5
    By LillyB717
    It was a page turner. Fast read. Insightful & well researched.

  • Interesting insight into the wives

    3
    By Gone With The Wind Fan
    I really enjoyed reading about this aspect of the astronauts' lives. The focus on the wives gives new insight into their feelings and fears. We've come a long way baby as women are no longer pushed aside and expected to just make their husbands look good. Take notes on matching wives and husbands because you just read little excerpts about them and then they reappear later and you forget who they are married to. There are lots of pictures at the end of the book but I didn't know it; otherwise, I would have looked at them as I was reading.

  • Honest, sometimes emotional read…

    5
    By Jennybeanz420
    Read this book literally in a single serving...took me quite a few hours and I consider it a day well spent. I had a hard time putting it down and enjoyed the behind-the-scenes, behind-the-perfect-smiles aspect. I definitely learned a few things about American history along the way.

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