The Astronaut Wives Club

The New York Times bestseller. "A fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the women married to the astronauts . . . Impressive." —The Dallas Morning News

The basis for the ABC TV series!

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.

"The men catapulted into space in the twentieth century were interesting, sort of. The women they left back on earth were fascinating." —People

"This is one of those light, tasty summer reads you'll guzzle down like a milk shake." —Entertainment Weekly

"Smart, evocative, informed, and warm." —Chicago Tribune

"Breezy and entertaining . . . The details are superb." —Curtis Sittenfeld, The Washington Post

"This book is a Baby-Boomer's dream and is perfect for anyone who's imagined moving among the stars . . . [It] will send you over the moon." —Daily News