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He was the first astronaut to orbit the Earth. Nearly four decades later, as the world's oldest astronaut, his courage reveted a nation. But these two historical events only bracketed a life that covers the sweep of an extraordinary century.
John Glenn's autobiography spans the seminal events of the twentieth century. It is a story that begins with his childhood in Ohio where he learned the importance of family, community, and patriotism. He took these values with him as a marine fighter pilot during World War II and into the skies over Korea, for which he would be decorated. Always a gifted flier, it was during the war that he contemplated the unlimited possibilities of aviation and its frontiers.
We see the early days of NASA, where he first served as a backup pilot for astronauts Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom. In 1962 Glenn piloted the Mercury-Atlas 6 Friendship 7 spacecraft on the first manned orbital mission of the United States. Then came several years in international business, followed by a twenty-four year career as a U.S. Senator-and in 1998 a return to space for his remarkable Discover mission at the age of seventy-seven.
John Glenn's autobiography spans the seminal events of the twentieth century. It is a story that begins with his childhood in Ohio where he learned the importance of family, community, and patriotism. He took these values with him as a marine fighter pilot during World War II and into the skies over Korea, for which he would be decorated. Always a gifted flier, it was during the war that he contemplated the unlimited possibilities of aviation and its frontiers.
We see the early days of NASA, where he first served as a backup pilot for astronauts Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom. In 1962 Glenn piloted the Mercury-Atlas 6 Friendship 7 spacecraft on the first manned orbital mission of the United States. Then came several years in international business, followed by a twenty-four year career as a U.S. Senator-and in 1998 a return to space for his remarkable Discover mission at the age of seventy-seven.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
As an avid spaceflight entusiast i have read most of the Astronaut Biograhpies that are available. I had such hopes for this book but it turned out to be ther worst of the Astronaut Biographies I have read to date. I have tried not to be too over critical and looked at this book from an outsider and I still come up with the opinion that this book is a dissapointment. The reader wants to hear about the spaceflight experiences of john Glenn but instead recieve a story that consists mostly of his flying and senate experiences that is at best teadious to read. It would be better to go for Schirra's space if you want a book about early Mercury seven experiences. The documentary's available on John Glenn best explain in fifty minutes what this book takes forever to do. But if you want a book on spaceflight read A Man On The Moon by Andrew Chaikin you will not be dissapointed.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This one fo the latest astro biogs that we have seen in recent years from some of the well known names of the 60`s space race. Others have been written by the likes of Gordo Cooper, Gene Cernan or have been published postumously eg "Deke!"
Glenn is, of course,the unique one amongst them - not only was he the first American to orbit in the early Mercury days, but also he`s the oldest man in space yet with his relatively recent shuttle mission,some 35 odd years after his first ascent into the heavens.
Many common threads of astronauts`of the early years are present here too. He tells of humble beginnings in a small town and of early personal endeavour to make ends meet. There are many years of hard study and the devotion to the notion of service to country. It`s a very honest book - not a trumpet blowing exercise in self-agrandisement or a thinly vieled ego vehicle from such an obviously self-motivated guy.
The book has a good structure, although it was a bit long for my tastes on "what I did after Mercury". However, Mr Glenn (with his many years in politics, culminating in a presidential bid)obviosly did quite a bit after the first flight so why shouldn`t he tell us?
Of all the similar books I`ve read recently, his is the one I`ve liked the most not because it`s massively exciting, but rather because one gets the feeling it`s very honest and open. Despite being someone who`s had a very clear and high level of ambition one gets the idea that he`s not stepped on too many people in the process. Good for him.
The impression I got was that as much as Glenn may have disliked the film "The Right Stuff" ("it could have been titled " Laurel and Hardy Go Into Space"") he does come over in the book rather as played Ed Harris in the film. Certainly, unlike it seems, any of the other Mercury astronauts, he stuck with his morals and ideals.
This is a book for space-fans primarily, but I think anyone who enjoys biographies from those in the hero mould will be satisfied with what they read here.
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46 reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
The Story of a Perfect Life?
11 April 2003
Format:Hardcover
Based on this book John Glenn never got out of line, never got in any serious trouble or caused anyone else to get into trouble, had a perfect wife and family who always supported him 100%, even if it meant his being away from home for long periods of time. He even goes to the extreme of discounting a story about his concern over his height exceeding the max requirement for space travel. I found many parts of this book enjoyable, but left feeling I had only been reading a whitewashed version purified for mass consumption. On slight hint at the "real" John Glenn may be revealed in his writing a letter to NASA in an effort to overturn the decision to have Alan Shepard and Guss Grissom fly in space before him. This book left me with many more questions about the real man. Showing more of his human, occassionally risking and failing side would have added much to my enjoyment. Unfortunately this was missing.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
One of the Memoir/Bio Generation 1999
17 Nov 1999
Format:Hardcover
It is curious that as 2000 nears, so many memoir biographies have hit the stands...and so many worth reading. We have Glenn's story...astronaut turned politician, model American; Nabokov's story...scientist turned literary celebrity (Nabokov's Blues); Goodall's story...scientist turned reflective (Reason to Hope); Sagan...by Sagan AND by biographers. Glenn's memoir fits this mold...a man has taken time out not only to reflect but to share with his "fellow Americans" his insights on the last decades, indeed some of the most important events of the millenium. I recommend this book; its only drawback is it might be argued as less exciting than some of the others mentioned above. But John Glenn is a major public and historical figure and it is worth the time to digest here what he has to say about his life, and times.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
"John Glenn: A Memoir":An Honored Look At An Honored Life
7 Nov 1999
Format:Hardcover
Senator. Astronaut. American Hero. These are all words that come to mind when the name "John Glenn" is mentioned. But how much do you know about John Glenn the person? If you want to know the minutiae of Glenn's flight as a Mercury and shuttle astronaut then this is not the book for you. For "John Glenn: A Memoir" is a walk down Glenn's busy road of life, from his upbringing during the Depression to his second spaceflight, aboard the shuttle in 1998. If it's true that Neil Armstrong said that everybody was given a finite number of heartbeats, and that he didn't want to waste any doing anything frivolous, then Glenn must have been one of his followers. The times and culture of those years helped shaped Glenn's beliefs and philosophies, just as Glenn helped shaped America during his military service, his days as an astronaut, and as a senator. More than just a recitation of names and events, Glenn presents an enlightening perspective on himself and of those events in the world that made him who he is.
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