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.

The wives of the original seven were Rene Carpenter (wife of Scott Carpenter) Trudy Cooper (only licensed pilot among the astronaut wives) Annie Glenn (wife of John Glenn and everything that NASA wanted the wives to be) Betty Grissom (wife of Gus Grissom, Indiana Hoosier) Jo Schirra (wife of Wally Schirra and Navy royalty) Louise Shepherd (called Saint Louise because she was serene and ladylike) and Marge Slayton (known as Mother Marge, leader of the Astronaut Wives Club)

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.  (Amazon book review)