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

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.

I Can Hear My Wife Shouting In The Other Room.....

Any additional comments?

I've been fascinated with the early space program, followed the Mercury, Geminii, and Apollo flights with great interest, and have read and collected books about them ever since.

Ms. Koppel's book is a wonderful adjunct to the more technical tomes and 'lives of the astronauts' works. Who says that the pressure cooker environment that the men went through was any more difficult that that of the women? With the men, they had NASA's resources for assistance, but the women only had each other. Perhaps that I'm married to a woman tougher and more capable and competant to most men that I know makes me appreciate a little more the strength of these remarkable women. In some cases, it's entirely possible that Gordo Cooper's spouse, Trudy, would have done a better job in space than he did.

My greatest respect is for Betty Grissom. Here is a woman who handled the most trying circumstances possible with iron resolve and great grace. And the Grissoms bring me to my major objection with the audiobook; the reader, throughout the book, mispronounces the name as "Grisham", like the author of the legal thrillers. And it isn't because of a confusing spelling, either; where is she (AND the director/producer who allowed this) getting the 'sh' in the middle of the name?

Because of the stature of the Grissom's service to America, this mispronunciation isn't just irritating, but demeaning, sloppy, and lazy. I found myself driving while listening to the book, and screaming, "Grissom! GriSSOM! GRISSOM!!'

I gave the book to my wife, who started it this morning, and........yes, she's gotten to the first one. I can hear her thundering in the other room, "Grissom, damn it! GriSSOM! GRISSOM!!"