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Poorly Written,
Informative,
Confusing

11 reviews

The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story
by Lily Koppel

Published: 2013-06-11
Hardcover : 288 pages
11 members reading this now
57 clubs reading this now
10 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 4 of 11 members
Discover the true story of the women who stood beside some of the greatest heroes of American space travel in this New York Times bestseller that delivers "a truly great snapshot of the times" (Publishers Weekly).

As America's Mercury Seven astronauts were launched on death-defying ...
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Introduction

Discover the true story of the women who stood beside some of the greatest heroes of American space travel in this New York Times bestseller that delivers "a truly great snapshot of the times" (Publishers Weekly).

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; JFK made it clear that platinum-blonde Rene Carpenter was his favorite; and licensed pilot Trudy Cooper arrived with a secret that needed to stay hidden from NASA. Together with the other wives they formed the Astronaut Wives Club, providing one another with support and friendship, coffee and cocktails.

As their celebrity rose--and as divorce and tragedy began to touch their lives--the wives continued to rally together, forming bonds that would withstand the test of time, and they have stayed friends for over half a century.

*Includes reading group guide*

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

Women's rights
by pa03963 (see profile) 07/24/13

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

No notes at this time.

Book Club Recommendations

Keep notes of who is whom and what she did.
by tcheer4life (see profile) 06/18/14
It is easy to get confused by the 7 original astronaut wives, but subsequent astronaut wives became part of the group and keeping track became difficult without a score card! (I listened to the book, too).

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
by Marlene D. (see profile) 06/03/19

 
by Nancy G. (see profile) 12/20/16

I couldn't put it down. I felt sorry for the wives when the press would come to their homes for the launches. I also felt bad when an astronaut got killed and how the widows got treated. It seemed weird... (read more)

 
by Beverly B. (see profile) 08/27/16

 
  "The Astronauts Wives CLub"by Emelie S. (see profile) 08/24/16

Although this book was a bit confusing with all the different wives and families to keep track of, it does tell the story of a significant piece of the race to space and that is a key piece of our US history.... (read more)

 
  "The Astronauts Wives Club"by Karen H. (see profile) 07/15/16

A fairly informative read about what the astronauts' wives went through while their husbands trained and blasted into space. However, the book does not delve deeply into any of the issues it mentions... (read more)

 
by Wendy R. (see profile) 10/16/15

 
  "Too many characters"by Anne M. (see profile) 01/01/15

I was disappointed in this book. It read like a Ladies Home Journal article. There was no depth to it. The cast of characters was HUGE. I believe that if the book had focused in on just a few of the... (read more)

 
  "The Astronauts Wives Club"by Linda J. (see profile) 06/18/14

I was in middle grades when Alan Shepard and John Glenn were shot into space. My formative years were the formative years of the space program. This book helped dust off many cobwebs that have accumulated... (read more)

 
  "Potentially interesting topic"by Cynthia Y. (see profile) 03/20/14

The topic has so much potential that is not fulfilled in this story with no plot.

 
  "Standing by your man when he's an astronaut."by Corrine S. (see profile) 03/11/14

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