We Seven By the Astronauts Themselves [Hardcover]

M. Scott, L. Gordon Cooper, Jr., John H. Glenn, Jr., Virgil I. Grissom, Walter M. Schirra, Jr., Alan B. Shepard, Jr., Donald K. Slayton Carpenter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1962

Here is a modern adventure of truly Homeric magnitude, told for the first time in full by the heroes who achieved it. Reading their words, we come to know them as human beings, and we participate in their great adventure. We sit with John Glenn in the cockpit of the Friendship 7, only minutes before take-off, as he realizes-after months of preparation and agonizing delays that this at last is it. We discover what led to that moment; how the Seven came to be Astronauts. We go through their fantastic tests and training. We see seven men of different temperaments forging themselves into a team. We watch the complex operations of the great Control Center. We explore the capsule, press the buttons, attend the bull sessions. We ride with Shepard, Glenn, Grissom, and Carpenter on their historic journeys into space. We witness the life of the Astronauts in all its aspects-through their eyes and in their words. Finally, Scott Carpenter gives in rich detail the events and sensations of his flight in orbit, and his vigil on the raft while the world waited in suspense-andconveys to us some portion of the quality of the faith and aspiration that go into making an Astronaut. We have had our share of exciting and memorable experiences, but none more inspiring than being associated with the first-hand story of the first Americans in space.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 473 pages
• Publisher: Simon and Schuster; First Printing edition (1962)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000KBJQKE
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #397,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The last solo space heroes, January 29, 2010

By 

wogan "the book reader" - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: We Seven: By the Astronauts Themselves (Paperback)

`We Seven' is a period piece. It was first published in 1962 and has been relatively hard to find for several years except as a used book. My one and only complaint about this reissue is that there is no new introduction - it is presented simply as it was published, which for some might be confusing; i.e. writing about the seven astronauts as if they were all still alive. There is an introduction by 'Life' and some black and white photographs and a detailed index.
What it does show is all the hope and naiveté of the time and the men involved, the mind set of the military and NASA then and all the hope and pride that went with it. It is indeed interesting to read again or for the first time. There is much emphasis on John Glenn, he seems to give longer and more detailed interviews. That is also what is fascinating about this account, it is the astronaut's words themselves; although one should be aware if you cannot tell that these are the public interviews. There is none of the gossip of private lives or complaints of operational conditions. Even the stories of failures, Gus Grissom's loss of his space capsule is dealt with as a disappointing accident as it was presented at the time: "at least we did not hide information like the Russians did concerning their space program".
Each of the seven tell of how they were chosen, how they worked together and were a team that brought America into space. These men, both the astronauts themselves and the NASA technicians that launched them are passing out of our lives. Only two of the original seven are left John Glenn and Scott Carpenter.

There are many books on the astronauts, many wrote their own individual stories, but this stands out as a singularity, one that was written in the pride of a moment, before Gemini, before Apollo; before the tragic fire that took Gus Grissom, Chaffe and White's life and before the destruction of two space shuttles that made many question NASA and the space program. The stories of the last solo space heroes' time of triumph still deserves to be heard and read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From their own mouths, November 2, 2010

By 

space nut - See all my reviews

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This review is from: We Seven: By the Astronauts Themselves (Paperback)

Excellent book! Very readable. I've read many space program books and there were things I learnt. This book provides a snapshot in time (post mercury, pre gemini?) that becomes more valuable as the years go by. It is also interesting reading between the lines regarding the group dynamic. Not the book for any hard-hitting revelations though. Recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Its an inspiring familiy tradition, August 6, 2004

By 

Ulrich - See all my reviews

I got this book from my dad, and he got it when it was first edited (the German version) in 1962. It was standing a long time untouched on my bookshelf but one day I took it out and started reading it. From the first moment I was fascinated. I think its the way the book is set up: Every different chapter is written by another astronaut of the mercury program. It gives a very good description of the mercury program, free worlds first manned step into space. But there is more: The astronauts not only describe the program, there is also a lot of information about the in-betweens, the personal relationships and characters of the seven. When you read the book you realy can feel the spirit and the atmosphere of that time. When I had the chance to visit the National Air and Space Museum I stayed there a whole day and at least 3 hours I used to inspect the two shown Mercury-capsules in the entrance. It was one of the most fascinating moments because when I looked at the space vehicles I always remembered things from the book.
This book has become a family heritage for me and when I will have children of my own one day I will of course give the book to them - to let them smell the spirit of these seven pioneers.