'The Right Stuff' by Tom Wolfe
'The Right Stuff' by Tom Wolfe

A fun read on the Project Mercury astronauts and test pilots. I found it interesting to learn about:

  • The way pilots are evaluated and how everyone looks for, but never really talks about, “the right stuff.”
  • The perception of pilots as “single combat warriors” from an earlier era.
  • The brutal life of the wives of fighter pilots, sitting at home, wondering if their husbands will come home, or if someone else will come to their door to let them know of the bad news.
  • The race between the USA and USSR, both in fighter jets (who could fly the fastest & the highest) and the space race.

Rating: 4 stars