The Right Stuff is a non-fictional book by Tom Wolfe that controversially brings glory and disgrace to the American space race. Wolfe encapsulates true American heroism at a time when the American society and literature was far from heroic. Wolfe reintroduces the love of country to American readers through individuals who embodied true American patriotism.
At the time of publication, the American pride was in shambles as there was nothing to be proud of after Nixon’s exit, and the colossal failure of the Vietnam War. Wolfe opens the book with an ode to test pilots and the tremendous sacrifice and loss that this dangerous duty can bring to the loved ones left behind. Focusing his eye on the space race and the emergence of the space program, Wolfe revitalizes American heroism through seven exceptional astronauts and engineers who brought glory back to the American flag.
The book follows the first attempts at breaking the sound barrier. Heroic test pilots were willing to put their lives on the line to achieve this monumental milestone. Wolfe explores American heroes that dared to pursue the unknown like Chuck Yeager, Alan Shephard, and John Glenn among other great pilots and astronauts who are the true driving force of this book.
Wolfe calls out Gus Grissom whom he believes panicked after landing on the sea and opened his hatch early before he could be airlifted. Grissom almost drowned and the capsule sank to the bottom of the sea. NASA retrieved the capsule thirty years later and asserted that mechanical failure could not be ruled out. Wolfe claims that Grissom’s recklessness on the mission led him to open the hatch too soon, ruining an almost flawless mission.
There’s a further claim in the book that NASA concealed Grissom’s mistakes to control public perception of the program. The Right Stuff asserts itself as facts and Wolfe makes sure to point out that his words are not based on conspiracy or false claims but absolute reality. His assertion makes this book a fun and thrilling read.
