2. Which of the astronauts does not live with his family on or near the base, but houses his family 120 miles away from the base and lives in the base's Bachelor Quarters?

3. What is the most difficult routine in military flying?

4. While most fighter pilots revel in driving fast sports cars, John Glenn does not. What car does he drive?

5. What is the name Yeager gives to his plane?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to the author, why does every pilot sound the same and talk with a lilting, vaguely Southern-sounding drawl?

2. Jane Conrad sees a real man going to her front door and realizes it wasn't one of her hallucinations. Who is the man and why is he there?

3. The engineers tend to feel that the glorification of the astronauts has really gotten out of control. Why do they feel that way?

4. Why do the pilots come to hate Lovelace?

5. Why do Chuck Yeager's comments in Phoenix almost set off a national scandal? What happens to avoid the scandal?

6. Why is the book titled "The Right Stuff"?

7. Where is Muroc Field and what is is the significance of the project taking place there?

8. What is the goal of the pilots in Project Mercury, which is the same goal in every new and important flight project?

9. What is written in Conrad's file as a reason he isn't selected for the Mercury program?

10. What is the procedures trainer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The two most prominent of the seven astronauts are arguably Alan Shepard and John Glenn. The book pits the two against each other in several ways.

a. Identify and explain the points-of-view of both Shepard and Glenn regarding the off-duty behaviors of the astronauts while at the Cape. Why did their views cause dissension among the remaining astronauts? What was the role of the Konakai Séance in the resolution of their dispute? How was their dispute resolved?

b. Shepard and Glenn are both competing to be selected as the first man into space. Compare how each man prepares for selection. Contrast their reactions when the selected individual is finally named. Compare their behaviors after the selection is made.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the book, the "pyramid" is discussed.

a. Define what the "pyramid" and how each group (Edwards' pilots vs. Mercury's astronauts) ranked on the period before Mercury is underway, during Project Mercury, and at the conclusion of the Project.

b. Identify and discuss three events that occur (both at Edwards and at NASA) to change and redefine the perception of both the pilots and the astronauts.