John H. Glenn (1921–2016)

A collection of memoirs "by THE ASTRONAUTS themselves" (it says so on the cover) from the original Mercury 7 in 1962. A fascinating historical account of their backgrounds (including John Glenn's Korean war stories), training (including the MASTIF device in Cleveland that spins you on three axes simultaneously - even the expression head over heels doesn't do it justice), technical information about the capsule and boosters (you have to keep reminding yourself what they called a computer was in the early 60s), and tense descriptions of the ballistic and orbital missions with all of the various human and mechanical malfunctions. Not that easy to read since the authors were engineers and all had the same outlook, and the book must have passed through some editor or ghostwriter's hands since there is a slightly numbing uniformity.… (altro)

I really enjoyed this book. Lengthy descriptions of so many aspects of getting humans into space. This was the Mercury Project from the point of view of the initial seven astronauts selected, from 1959 to 1962, and covered the first four Americans in Space. From the psychology tests to lying in a capsule, absolutely gripping reading. I wished the book carried on to the end of the project to include the last two manned flights. I found it useful to watch the old period videos of television coverage at the time. Sometimes it seemed I was learning rocket-science. I wonder what the "Voss Meter" actually looked like? Interesting to compare this book to "Starman : Truth Behind the Legend of Yuri Gagarin", some major obvious similarities, but We Seven is much more detailed and personal.… (altro)

What ages would I recommend it too? – Twelve and up.

Length? – Three day’s read.

Characters? – Memorable, several characters.

Setting? – Real World, and space, 1930's to 1990's.

Written approximately? – 1999.

Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more.

Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? No.

Short storyline: The life of John Glenn, the astronaut from childhood through the military and on into space. A circuitous route back to family, home, and friends.

Notes for the reader: You will laugh, cry, and enjoy this book. Reading it is like sitting by the fireside, listening to stories of times long ago, and not so long ago. Every story resonates today, even more so, with the lack of jobs and job security these days.… (altro)