The Right Stuff

By: Tom Wolfe

Narrated by: Dennis Quaid

Length: 15 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

From "America's nerviest journalist" (Newsweek) - a breathtaking epic, a magnificent adventure story, and an investigation into the true heroism and courage of the first Americans to conquer space. "Tom Wolfe at his very best" (The New York Times Book Review)

Millions of words have poured forth about man's trip to the moon, but until now few people have had a sense of the most engrossing side of the adventure: namely, what went on in the minds of the astronauts themselves - in space, on the moon, and even during certain odysseys on earth. It is this, the inner life of the astronauts, that Tom Wolfe describes with his almost uncanny empathetic powers that made The Right Stuff a classic.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tom Wolfe is the author of more than a dozen books, among them such contemporary classics as The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, The Right Stuff, The Bonfire of the Vanities and A Man in Full. A native of Richmond, Virginia, he earned his B.A. at Washington and Lee University and a PhD. in American studies at Yale. He lives in New York City.

ABOUT THE NARRATOR

Dennis Quaid is renowned for his distinct portrayals in both comedic and dramatic roles over the past forty years. Quaid can next be seen in Roadside Attraction's faith-based film I Can Only Imagine which will be released on March 16, 2018.

Dennis most recently stared in Crackle's auctioneering drama The Art of More on which he also served as an executive producer. On the big screen, he was recently seen starring in Universal's A Dog's Purpose as well as in the fact-based drama Truth. He will next begin filming the third season of the BAFTA award-nominated television series Fortitude and recently completed production on Lionsgate's Kin with James Franco.

Quaid began to gain attention in the late 1970s for roles in such films as Breaking Away before gaining public and critical acclaim for his role in the 1983 release The Right Stuff. Other notable credits include The Rookie, The Day After Tomorrow, Traffic, Vantage Point, Frequency, The Parent Trap, and Soul Surfer. For his role in Todd Haynes' Far from Heaven he won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor, the Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor, the Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male. In 2010 he was nominated for numerous awards including a SAG Award®, an Emmy© and a Golden Globe© for his portrayal of Bill Clinton in the TV Movie, A Special Relationship.

©1979 Tom Wolfe (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

What a History!

My father lived and served through these years first in the AAF then Air Force in WWII,Korea and Vietnam. He won the the DFC and many other medals and would occasionally share only some of his wild experiences in flying. He absolutely loved it. Now I feel I’ve seen a glimmer of what it must have been like in those days of competition and discovery thanks to Tom Wolfe and Dennis Quaid ! Beautifully written and narrated. A slice of history before America turned on itself. A real eye opener for me. Do read this, it’s time well spent.

Wonderful!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Right Stuff. My favorite audio book so far. History writing at its best. It’s factual, even handed and at times very funny. Dennis Quaid did a masterful job narrating. I wish there were more choices like this one

I cringed every time...

Overall a good production of a great book. However, I wish readers/performers would learn the correct pronunciation of words and terms before making the final recording. (Note to the talent, director, and producers: It's pronounced B. O. Q. [like bee-oh-cue], it is not pronounced "bock".) That mistake repeated over, and over, and over again was enough to lose two stars for the performance.

Exceptional!

Fantastic story and made even better, if that’s possible, by the read and the performance of Dennis Quaid. The right stuff. Yes, I just said that.

Terrific!

This might be the best novel I have ever read. Wolfe writes with the cynicism of Vonnegut, the prose of Thompson and yet an emboldened style all of his own. I am grateful to have discovered this contemporary masterpiece.

Absolutely Phenomenal Audiobook

I always struggle to find my next audio book. Being that I read on my phone as well as my Kindle, I'm always in search for the next best read or audio book. I grew up loving planes. Later in life I obtained my pilots license and have always had a great fascination for manned space flight as well. I watched all the great flight movies growing up. Top Gun, Flight of the Intruder, Air America, Iron Eagle and of course The Right Stuff. This was a real treat to listen to. 15 hours of an in-depth journey for the great space race. Extremely well written and narrated by Dennis Quaid. If you love planes, if you liked this move than you will love definitely enjoy this audio book.

More information than the movie

Quaid may be a good actor but he’s not a good narrator.

His voice makes the book a struggle to listen to listen to. It’s long winded but has more information than the movie but I am not sure it’s worth the time.

Dennis Quaid is Magnificent

The story is historical and remarkable, but Quaid’s performance brings the story to life in a way that puts you inside the Mercury capsule. Outstanding!!

Don't care about astronauts? You will.

Tom Wolfe's writing is so engaging. Dennis Quaid was the absolute best choice for narrator. I truly enjoyed it!!

Worth it!

I was hesitant at first by the reading by Dennis Quaid. I thought maybe his voice would not be strong enough for such a book and I would grow wary, but I found myself growing into liking his performance and ultimately found it very well done.