John Glenn: A Memoir

I have read over 50 autobiographies/memoirs in the last several years and I have to say that this is one of the best that I have read, very well researched and organized. Anyone who is interested in the space program will find this book fascinating. On the other hand, the personal life of John Glenn, like his 50+ years marriage to his wife, is a love story (He met his wife in a playpen when they were toddlers). His courage and perseverance certainly contributed to his success. Two more autobiographies that I have read that share the same vision and determination to success are Georg Solti - A Memoir (world reowned conductor) and Salvatore Ferragamo - Shoemaker of dreams (Italian shoe designer). Both of these I considered them very well written and interesting.

There is nothing more I love to share with my young son, than a bedtime story about a real American hero. I'm so happy that John Glenn took the time to write down and narrate his story for his grand kids. My young son now 23 months is enjoying his tapes as a bedtime story too. Hard work, honesty, love, patriotism, sacrifice and dedication to do a job well, what more could you ask for in a story. When John Glenn flew into space in Oct 1998 I couldn't wait to get my son the NASA Mission Patches from Mercury 7 and the Shuttle Flight for his jumpers. He wears them proudly today. I hope more astronauts take John Glenn's lead to tell their stories. They may or may not be big sellers but they are very important stories which a special group of people would love to hear.

The story of John Glenn's life is a very inspiring one, this memoir reminds us all in eloquent terms of the values of honesty, hard work, dedication, and love for one's family and country. I am proud to have this wonderful volume on my bookshelf, it is a fitting companion to the year's most inspiring books---Faith of My Fathers, The Greatest Generation, The Triumph and the Glory, and The Testament. Godspeed, John Glenn.

This book is a very well written biography of an astronaut, war hero, public figure, and good family man. You'll be touched by how often Mr. Glenn mentions his wife and kids. His good character comes through very strong.

Senator. Astronaut. American Hero. These are all words that come to mind when the name "John Glenn" is mentioned. But how much do you know about John Glenn the person? If you want to know the minutiae of Glenn's flight as a Mercury and shuttle astronaut then this is not the book for you. For "John Glenn: A Memoir" is a walk down Glenn's busy road of life, from his upbringing during the Depression to his second spaceflight, aboard the shuttle in 1998. If it's true that Neil Armstrong said that everybody was given a finite number of heartbeats, and that he didn't want to waste any doing anything frivolous, then Glenn must have been one of his followers. The times and culture of those years helped shaped Glenn's beliefs and philosophies, just as Glenn helped shaped America during his military service, his days as an astronaut, and as a senator. More than just a recitation of names and events, Glenn presents an enlightening perspective on himself and of those events in the world that made him who he is.