Deke!

Deke! is astronaut Donald "Deke" Slayton's first-person account of his experiences in the early American space program, from his selection as one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts through his eventual flight on the Apollo-Soyuz mission. The memoir covers Slayton's transition from test pilot to astronaut candidate, and his later role as NASA's Chief of the Astronaut Office. After being grounded due to a heart condition, Slayton provides an insider perspective on the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs from his unique position as the person responsible for crew selections. His narrative includes technical details of spacecraft development, training procedures, and the day-to-day operations of America's space effort during the 1960s and early 1970s. Co-written with space historian Michael Cassutt, the book chronicles the intense competition of the Space Race and the complex relationships between astronauts, flight controllers, and administrators. Slayton's account offers insights into the decision-making processes that shaped America's push to reach the Moon. The memoir stands as a testament to perseverance and adaptation, documenting how one man's role evolved from pilot to administrator and back to astronaut. Through Slayton's perspective, readers gain understanding of both the technical and human elements that defined the golden age of American spaceflight.

Readers appreciate Slayton's straightforward, no-nonsense writing style and his unique insider perspective as both an astronaut and NASA manager. Many note his candid assessments of fellow astronauts and program decisions. Multiple reviewers highlight the detailed technical information and behind-the-scenes accounts of Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo operations. Readers mention the book can be dry at times, with some sections focused heavily on administrative details. A few reviewers note that Slayton's co-author's voice sometimes overshadows Slayton's own. Common praise points: - Honest portrayal of astronaut selection process - Clear explanations of technical challenges - Personal insights into key NASA decisions Common criticisms: - Too much focus on bureaucratic matters - Abrupt ending - Limited coverage of post-Apollo career Ratings: Goodreads: 4.15/5 (517 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (165 ratings) "Provides the clearest view of NASA's inner workings during the space race" - Goodreads reviewer

Carrying the Fire by Michael Collins This Mercury/Gemini/Apollo astronaut's memoir details the early space program from an insider's perspective with technical precision and frank observations about fellow astronauts.

We Seven by The Mercury Astronauts The original Mercury astronauts share their experiences from selection through their missions in their own words, providing context for NASA's first human spaceflight program.

Forever Young by John W. Young, James R. Hansen The autobiography chronicles Young's journey through Gemini, Apollo, and the Space Shuttle program, offering insight into NASA's evolution across multiple decades.

Failure Is Not an Option by Gene Kranz This flight director's memoir presents the Mercury through Apollo missions from mission control's perspective, documenting the technical and operational challenges of early spaceflight.

Light This Candle by Neal Thompson This biography of Alan Shepard examines the life of America's first astronaut and later Apollo moonwalker, providing parallel context to Slayton's era in the space program.

🚀 Deke Slayton was one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts but was grounded due to a heart condition before his first flight. He went on to serve as NASA's Chief of the Astronaut Office, essentially deciding which astronauts flew on which missions. 🌟 Though grounded in 1962, Slayton finally made it to space in 1975 aboard the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, making him the last Mercury astronaut to reach space, at age 51. ⌚ During his years as Chief of the Astronaut Office, Slayton wore a watch with two faces – one set to Houston time and one to Cape Canaveral time – to help coordinate mission activities between the two locations. 📝 Co-author Michael Cassutt is a noted space historian and television producer who has written extensively about the space program, including several other astronaut biographies and space-themed fiction. 🎯 The book reveals that Slayton personally chose Neil Armstrong to be the first person to walk on the Moon, believing Armstrong's ego could handle the historical significance better than other candidates.