Rating: 
Summary: A good read, but not without problems
Review: With all the hype over A Man In Full (and, having previously read Bonfire of the Vanities), I decided to read The Right Stuff over the Xmas holiday to check out Tom Wolfe's nonfiction work. I've always had a fascination with the space program, and so was primed to read the story about its origins in the U.S., about which I had known very little. While I enjoyed the book, however, I was left feeling vaguely unsatisfied. I think the main problem stems from what Wolfe mentions in the Forward: what he set out to write about (the space program) was not exactly what he got interested in (the test-flight program and its unique "fraternity"). As a result there's an odd sense of disinterest in the actual Mercury program--you can almost feel Wolfe's relief in the last chapter when he returns to Chuck Yeager and a particularly harrowing plane flight. In one sense this works to the book's advantage, as it exposes what I think is his main theme: the great gulf between the tightly-controlled, relatively underwhelming Mercury flights (compared to those in the test-flight program), and the extraordinary national response to those flights. However, to explore this theme better I wish Wolfe could have gone into more depth on what was happening politically with the program. I also wish he could have gone further forward in history so we could see how the astronaut evolved from a fighter-jock to the more erudite scientist that we today associate with NASA. I did enjoy the book, overall, and I think it provides a unique and non-jingoistic (at least less so than, say, the movie Apollo 13 or the miniseries From The Earth To The Moon) look at the early U.S. space program. Just don't expect a completely satisfying experience.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful, well written, and well worth the read
Review: This was the first book by Tom Wolfe I had ever read, and went on the read many more. This book has great historical value, and has helped me along the route of my educational career emmensly. I love Tom's style of writing, very casual and warm, but with much knowledge and ultimately without flaw. The way he presents the book with hard-core facts mixed with bits of humor provides a light atmosphere,and makes the book highly enjoyable. He makes you feel as if the two of you are old buddies who share an inside joke about "Pancho's", "Flying and Drinking and Drinking and Driving", and "The imaginary ziggaruat that is the Right Stuff" 5 stars to a great read! P.S. the movie's good as well!
Rating:
Summary: Britain invented it !
Review: The Right Stuff is a wonderful book agout the Mercury 7, the first US astronauts. I love this book,it really inspired me, and made me realise what true heroism really is and what special people pilots and astronauts really are. An interesting sub-plot to the book is the story of Chuck Yeager, ''the Astronaut who never was'', Wolf's description of his courage and skill made you realise he was a born Astronaut, and NASA made a real mistake when they didn't pick him, a mistake the film emphasises. I read the Right Stuff after seeing the film, however the books a 1000 times beter! This is a brilliant book and I would recomend it to anyone who needs a hero. Oh, and by the way. I'd like to point out that Frank Whittle, who invented the supersonic engine, was British and if the British government hadn't have withdrawn funding we would have been the first nation to break the sound barrier. Wolf didn't mention this, I wonder why mmmmmmmm.....
Rating:
Summary: Sometimes "The Wrong Stuff"
Review: Tom Wolf did a great job with most of his facts. However I believe he made a dreadful mistake when he implied Gus Grissom panicked and blew the hatch on the Liberty Bell 7. The official investigation did not place any blame on Gus. Yet Tom Wolfe would make the reader believe Gus was some kind of fool. If that were the case, would NASA have then given him command of both the first Gemeni and Apollo flights? Obviously Tom Wolfe must have felt the needed to smear the name and reputation of this National Hero -- many years after Gus, Ed White and Roger Chaffee had died in the launch pad fire of Apollo 1 on January 27, 1967. It was certainly too late for Gus to defend himself personally. Others can help by understanding that "The Right Stuff" is wrong about Gus Grissom.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!!
Review: I read this book more than 10 years ago, but it's still one of the books that has made the strongest impression on me. One of the things that really struck me, was the way he describes how the test-pilots (headed by Yeager) are first laughting at the "astronauts", and then are mesmerized by the fact that Shepard, Glen & co become heroes. To me, this visualizes the insanity in how the american people put them on a pedestal and considered the astronauts the greatest americans (why be modest? PEOPLE) ever.
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: Great book. Makes you feel like you were there
Rating: 
Summary: Evokes deep admiration.
Review: Membership in the unique fraternity, or subculture, which elite pilots comprise requires tremendous tenacity, skill, courage and sacrifice. Wolfe's book provides a primer on this unique life, going on to specifically relate the stories of those selected for the Mercury project. For those of us who reluctantly rise from bed to plod at unsatisfying jobs for rent money, this book will be both humbling and illuminating. One reads of the exhiliration and the heights of achievement possible for the devoted and gifted, despite what may be poor monetary compensation. Much of the descriptions of people, events and feats is surely dramatization, but the story remains striking. Though he ignores the rules of grammar, the author vividly relates the furor of the early US space program: the public's anxiety over the program, the urgency at NASA and Capitol Hill, as well as the emotions of the astronauts in the cockpit, in training, or at press gatherings. The book provides a fair synopsis of America's leading edge late-fifties and entire-sixties aerospace technology, as well as the public's perception of it. Be prepared for some disenchanting accounts of the deliberately concealed imperfections in all heroes. We also learn of the many blunders and failures in the design and launch of NASA's space vehicles. Those who were previously cynnical of the space administration will likely find their views changed after reading this book. This story teaches the benefits of vision and dedication.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: The Right Stuff is one of the most incredible books I've ever read. Even years after reading it I can remember certain scenes almost word for word. Truly a book that leaves the reader with a lasting impression.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!!!
Review: This is by far one of the best and most well written books that I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: How could I not have this in my collection?
Review: I think you only have 2 reviews because there is no question about this book - never having read this is like never being introduced to Dr. Seuss as either a child or a parent.
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