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The Astronaut Wives Club

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The Astronaut Wives Club

By: Lily Koppel
Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy
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About this listen

The true story of the wives behind the American Space Race, the challenges they faced in the '50s and '60s, and the 40-year friendship that bound them together.

As American astronauts were launched on death-defying missions, television cameras focused on the brave smiles of their wives. Overnight, these women were transformed from shy military spouses to American royalty: having tea with Jackie Kennedy, attending high-society galas, and being featured on the cover of Life magazine.

They quickly grew into fashion icons, donning sherbet-swirled Pucci dresses and lacquering their hair into extravagant rocket styles (to match their husbands' spaceships). Annie Glenn was the envy of the other wives, with her many magazine features; platinum-blonde bombshell Rene Carpenter was proclaimed JFK's favourite; homely Betty Grissom worried her husband was having affairs; Louise Shepard just wanted to be left alone to her card games; and licensed pilot Trudy Cooper arrived on base with a dirty secret.

Together they rallied to form the Astronaut Wives Club, which has now turned into over 40 years of enduring friendship. Sexy and sophisticated, rich in melodrama, and set against the uniquely atmospheric backdrop of the Space Age, The Astronauts' Wives Club tells the real story behind some of the biggest heroes in American history, chronicling their romantic, domestic, and public dramas during the Mad Men era.

©2013 Lily Koppel (P)2013 Headline Digital
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Well worth a listen!!!

With a expected perfection thrust upon them these women had it tough!!! A great book

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Great for Mad Men fans

If you have watched and enjoyed the series Mad Men then you will love this too. It describes a lot of the fashions and styles beautifully. I got a little confused at times as to which wife was who, I could have done with a sort of wife map! It kept me interested despite that. If you lived through or have an interest in this era then its definitely worth a listen

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A Different Perspective

Having read and seen so much about this exciting chapter of human history from the male perspective, whether it be the Astronauts themselves or other NASA employees, it was very interesting to hear this from the perspective of the Wives of the Astronauts. A good listen and well narrated by Lily Koppel.

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Unexpectedly enjoyable

Would you listen to The Astronaut Wives Club again? Why?

Bought on a whim - unexpectedly enjoyable and an insight into the lives of my mother's generation of women

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If you watched Apollo13 you'll enjoy this book.

What did you like most about The Astronaut Wives Club?

Having watched the film Apollo 13 it was interesting hearing the true life views of the people in the film.

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Orlagh Cassidy narration disappoints

I have read the book, seen the tv mini series and enjoyed the story from the wives point of view having read many books about their husbands.

The disappointment is the narrator and too many instance of her trying to do a male voice, child’s voice or even try and speak like some of the wives. There was no need to do this at all and far too often became annoying, simply no need for this and distracting from what is an interesting story from an exciting time in space travel.

Would still recommend the book and audio version as the overall story is interesting and well worth a read/listen

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