Rocketman: Astronaut Pete Conrad's Incredible Ride to the Moon and Beyond

by Nancy Conrad

HE WAS THE THIRD MAN TO WALK ON THE MOON— BUT THE FIRST TO DANCE ON IT. HE WAS THE ROCKETMAN.For Pete Conrad, it was all about the ride. Whether he was hot-dogging at Mach 2, test-flying every supersonic jet the Navy developed (and some they shouldn’t have), orbiting the Earth at almost 20,000 mph, or redlining his Corvette, he loved pushing the envelope. Pete wasn’t the squeaky-clean astronaut poster boy. The guy every NASA pilot wanted to happy-hour with after work—and would kill to fly with—Pete had a natural outspokenness that got him washed out of the Mercury program. But the “Comeback Kid” came roaring back—flying two Gemini missions, walking on the Moon as commander of Apollo 12, commanding the first Skylab, and logging more time in space than all the original astronauts combined.   This is a surprisingly candid insider’s view of the greatest ride in America’s glorious race to the stars, as seen through the eyes of a real space cowboy.

Genres: Space, Biography, Nonfiction, History, Science, American History

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2005

Reviews

[Gary Schroeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I held off reading this biography of Pete Conrad for years because it didn't seem to be of a high enough quality when I thumbed through it at the book store (remember those?). After a recent trip to Kennedy Space Center Vistor's Complex, my interest in all things Apollo was revived and I decided to finally pick this book up.

My original impressions were confirmed. If any of the astronauts from the Golden Era of American spaceflight deserve a good biography, it's Pete Conrad. Of all of the original space pioneers, he had one of the more notable personalities. What this book suffers from is Conrad's untimely death in 1999. His story has to be recounted through a series of anecdotes recalled by his widow and a handfull of people that he worked with over the years. In the absence of the biography's subject for an eyewitness account, writer Howard Klausner resorts to a biographical format that I really don't like: invented dialogue. I had the impression that he took the collection of anecdotes that he had and spun semi-fictional stories around them. While they're all based in truth and the essential facts are correct, I just have a problem with creating dialogue between actual people that no one could possibly know or remember. A book is either non-fiction or it's not.

That issue aside, I think this book gives a good flavor for the essence of the man; it comports with other stories that I've read about Conrad over the years. He was a prankster and joker, someone who didn't take himself too seriously and didn't buy into the astronaut persona that the public expected. He led an interesting life well beyond his astronaut career, never stopping to rest on his laurels. "Rocketman" does an adequate job of delving into his career with McDonnell Douglas and the DC-X program, but as with most of the rest of the book, I would have like more detail.

So if you're looking for a light read of one of astronautics more interesting personalities, pick up "Rocketman." Just don't expect anything as complete and compelling as "First Man" or "Carrying the Fire."

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first biography about one of the 12 moon walking Apollo astronauts I've read that was starkly different from the others. That's not to criticize the others in any way. Reading about Conrad was more fun. You have a very real idea of who he is, and what he's about very early on, and it's inspiring. He was interested in the ride, and always wanted to be a part of something big and bold. Most pilots do, in my personal opinion. Conrad seemed to come across as genuinely appreciative of the life he led, not taking for granted the amazing things he achieved. This is one of those biographies where you don't feel sad for the untimely end, because this guy got everything out of life he could, and was still going strong when it ended.

[Emory River · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete Conrad is who I want to be when I grow up. He had a great attitude and was an extremely talented pilot and astronaut. I read this after listening to The Right Stuff by Tom Wolf. Conrad reminds me that you should never take yourself too seriously and to be the best at what you do.

[Jeremy Manuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had heard about NASA, the Space Race, and the Moon missions, but I must admit I didn't really know about many of the men behind the missions. Sure I'd heard of names like Alan Shepard, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, but I never knew much about them. So I was interested to learn about one of the men who became an important fixture in NASA and even became one of the men to walk on the moon, Pete Conrad.

The book is a quick and easy read, but this causes both positives and negatives regarding the book. It is an easy book to pick up and read. It flows nicely and doesn't get stuck at any time for too long. It starts out with his childhood and growing up and ends with his untimely death in 1999. The book is light on its feet and goes for the big moments and struggles mixed in with some humorous antics that seemed to characterize Conrad.

While this style does make for a light and enjoyable read, it also makes the book feel like its missing something. It just kind of feels like a surface treatment or a highlight reel. Sure near the end you do get some more difficult circumstances and Conrad tries to figure out life after NASA, but even that is gone through quick and he turns things around.

Some things are just left hanging due to this, like his relationship with his kids. We get that his relationship with his first wife just deteriorates due to lack of investment of time and energy, and he talks about him wanting to connect with his kids better at the end of one chapter, but it doesn't really follow up. We get a chapter on his youngest son who dies due to cancer, but the rest are just absent without any detail, even a general statement on success or failure of his attempt to connect with his sons.

This isn't a terrible thing overall, but it is a noticeable thing. It just feels like the book wants to focus on the positive accomplishments of Conrad's life and that's okay. It's just done in such a way that you can tell there are things not elaborated upon. It flirts with the stuff under the surface, just never completely dives into it head on.

All this considered, I did enjoy the book. It's a very interesting read to see the trajectory of Conrad's life and how much he loved to fly and test the limits of that field. It is also very cool to see a glimpse into the life at NASA, getting into space, and walking on the moon. It's certainly not something I would be able to or even want to do to be honest, but it does make for a fascinating read.

[Herb Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. "Rocket Man" by Nancy Conrad and Howard A. Klausner is a deeply personal look at the life of astronaut Pete Conrad, told through the eyes of his widow. This book doesn’t just cover the highlights of his NASA career, like commanding Apollo 12 and walking on the Moon; it also gives a glimpse into the man behind the spacesuit.

Nancy’s perspective makes the story feel intimate and real. You learn about Pete’s struggles, like his dyslexia and early academic troubles, which make his achievements even more impressive. It’s not all heavy, though—there are lighthearted moments and stories that show his personality and sense of humor.

What really stands out is how Nancy connects Pete’s professional milestones with their personal life. You get a sense of what it was like to live with someone who was constantly pushing boundaries, both in space and in life. It’s a touching and honest tribute, giving you a fuller picture of one of NASA’s most memorable astronauts. (Pete is remembered for his quote: "If you can't be good, be colorful.") There are a few more editing errors and typos than I like to see in a book, but If you’re into space history or just love a good life story, it’s worth a read.

[Stacey Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a book about an astronauts incredible life without heavy scientific details this is for you. I love the way it was written with just enough technical detail to understand but not learn how to build a rocket. Pete Conrad had a very interesting life, walking on the moon was one of the highlights. A trait that I would assume all astronauts have is drive, a desire to reach their goal. Pete wanted to fly. Pete wasn't afraid to do small menial tasks to get him close to flying or to ask for help. Bottom line flying was his goal. Whatever he could do to get closer to flying he would do. Unfortunately it became his life, it consumed every moment so he didn't have time for family or anything that wasn't related to flying. But I think that's what he had to do to become an astronaut...without that determination and drive he probably wouldn't have made the cut.
Pete was a very likeable person, he had a great sense of humor, he didn't take himself seriously and always found the fun in everything he did. That came across in the book very well...it was fun to read. I couldn't put it down.

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read. It's not as good as Micheal Colins book but entertaining. The Apollo 12 launch had me laughing out loud while reading.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story, the short chapters, and the casual writing style

[Billy Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very quick read about one of the most unique Apollo astronauts, and very interesting.

[Ross Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 12 landing, I read this biography on Pete Conrad #WhooopieSmallOneForNeilButABigOneForMe

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating life this somewhat lackluster biography didn't quite live up to. I wasn't a big fan of the constant jumps back and forth in time, nor of the heavy reliance of invented dialogue.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fast breezy read which captures much of Conrad's happy-go-lucky, charming personality, but is often disappointingly sketchy. According to the acknowledgements, Conrad and his wife Nancy spent hours making recordings of his reminiscences and filing his personal papers and photos, before his untimely death in a motorcycle accident several years ago, and the book is based largely on those, with writing assistance from screenwriter Klausner. I thought the book balanced uncomfortably on the line between memoir and biography, with neither the fully realized voice of Conrad, had he been able to write it himself, nor the level of detail I would have expected from a third-person biography. Still, it's fun and fast to read -- recommended with reservations and the hope of a more in-depth biography in the future.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few chapters in and I laughed my "hoo-ha" off. The style is brisk and easy, but later, after Skylab, it get's more difficult to read. I think mainly because he had to come down from being on top - which so many of those guys had to deal with. I listened to Pete Conrad on archival films of the space program and on the television when I was a kid and recognize immediately the same man in the book. He seems to have been a WYSIWYG kind of guy. The book also ends the same way as Pete Conrad's life - abruptly - leaving a taste of the profound sense of loss that those who knew him must have had.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many books on the "Space Race", it is just something I have always been a geek about. This one has become one of my favorites. Pete Conrad and the whole crew of Apollo 12 have been astronauts I have been interested in knowing better. So I was really happy to find this book(now if I can just find the Al Bean one).
A quick read(for me). I got it done in one day. Very insightful and full of humor, much like the man himself

[Lennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography discusses Pete Conrad's life, an Apollo astronaut and the third man to walk on the moon. Even though at times Pete didn't conduct himself the way NASA would like him to, I feel he made a big contribution to the space program and I will always be inspired by the "Rocketman's" accomplishments.

[Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like 2.5. I snagged this from Borders because it was inexpensive and looked interesting. More specifically, the subject of the book reminded me of Ned DuBois from Michael Flynn's Firestar series. It was an okay read. If you are interested in the history of the space program you will probably find some interesting tidbits.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete Conrad was one of NASA's most colorful characters, and this book does not disappoint. There are laugh out loud moments, great anecdotes about NASA (including some I hadn't heard before), and lots of interesting stories from Pete Conrad's life.

[Larry Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing. The narrative that we're most interested in, that of his career at NASA highlighted by command of the Apollo XII mission, is disrupted by being told from the perspective of his later around-the-world flight in a Learjet.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd have to say that Pete Conrad was a man's man. His personality made him stand out among the early pioneers of space.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about a great man.

[Jonathan Deaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ THIS! Conrad was one of the funniest and cockiest pilots to wear a pressure suit! This book is a joy!