The Astronaut Wives Club

A True Story

By: Lily Koppel

Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

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; platinum-blonde Rene Carpenter was proclaimed JFK's favorite; and licensed pilot Trudy Cooper arrived on base with a secret. Together with the other wives they formed the Astronaut Wives Club, meeting regularly to provide support and friendship. Many became next-door neighbors and helped to raise each other's children by day, while going to glam parties at night as the country raced to land a man on the Moon.

As their celebrity rose - and as divorce and tragic death began to touch their lives - they continued to rally together, and the wives have now been friends for more than fifty years. The Astronaut Wives Club tells the real story of the women who stood beside some of the biggest heroes in American history.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2013 Lily Koppel (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Missed the mark

Would you try another book from Lily Koppel and/or Orlagh Cassidy?

No...

Would you recommend The Astronaut Wives Club to your friends? Why or why not?

No. It is short on narrative and long on trite details. It is gossipy in tone..both written and narration.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

YES! The tone became sarcastic when passages were describing the husband's behaviors...much as though a group of unhappy women were sharing their husband's miss-deeds. Very unpleasant to listen to.

Do you think The Astronaut Wives Club needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It needs a completely new book with more factual information from the wives...more integration into the history of the times.

Any additional comments?

I am only 8 chapters into it, and I am already cringing when I hear the narrator quote Kennedy or launch into a male voice. I have not paid much attention to critiques re narration before, but wish I had before purchasing this.

History at its best....

Would you listen to The Astronaut Wives Club again? Why?

Yes. It was a book that the ending took me by surprise so I would go back and listen again. Also there were so many characters that it was hard keeping them straight.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Astronaut Wives Club?

Really learning what it was like for thm back in the late 50's and 60's. Most of this is not taught in school and I found seeing it through the womens eyes was fasinating.

Which character – as performed by Orlagh Cassidy – was your favorite?

Each character was wonderful but I think Rene was the best. she really showed that just because you were a famous astro wife you could alos fulfill your professional needs as well.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Life as an Astro wife..

This should be a movie

WOW This is an incredible book. I got it as part of an audible sale and it was fantastic. The stress and strain these women had to endure as America tried to get to space is UNBELIEVABLE. It was such a different time in our culture when husbands were 'gods' and the women that supported them were just that - support. The courage and extreme professionalism these women demonstrated is OUTSTANDING. The support and love they gave their families in what I consider impossible scrutiny by NASA and the media is incredible.
I will be sending this book to friends. It is a must read to understand the women of the space program.

This story has never been told.

As an aerospace engineer for many decades, and an aerospace historian I reveled in this book. The story of the astronauts wives has never been told until now and it is done in a straightforward and accurate manner. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

A look into their lives

I got lost with so many different people coming in and out of the scenes sometimes, and the ending seemed a little abrupt to me, but overall this book satisfied my curiosity which actually started with seeing some of the TV show that aired a while back. Being a Space Coast girl, I grew up feeling a connection to NASA and the shuttle launches were something I literally viewed from my backyard. I witnessed one disaster in my lifetime, and hearing what they went through, especially in the early years with no system of support... I can relate to it with my current life with a service member.

not a fan

Struggled to finish. Didn't care for her writing style. Maybe it was the narrator. It didn't capture the true feeling and excitement of that time in history.

Interesting and enjoyable

Great story, reasonable writing, and a wonderful recognition of those women who were married to our nation's astronauts during the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions. Koppel helps you to better learn who each woman was, and how each were impacted by the stresses of being an "astrowife."

Great Read

I didn’t find it to be gossiping as some one reviewed it. I thought it was a very good story on some remarkable women.

Great read!

Loved it! Felt like I was part of the story! The narrator did a great job.

Entertaining insights to their personal experience

I loved it! Being from Texas, I hold NASA and the space advances close to my heart. So it was truly a pleasure to get insights into their personal experiences from the ladies behind the men! I think we take for granted what the astronauts really provide in the way of technological advances that affect our lives even today.