More than 36 years after Neil Armstrong took his famous
first step on the moon, historian James Hansen of Auburn University
is launching a first of his own – the first authorized
biography of the enigmatic astronaut.
Hansen’s book, “First Man: The Life of Neil Armstrong,”
hit shelves Oct. 18.
The book details Armstrong’s life including his boyhood
in Ohio, his time as a student at Purdue University and
his accomplishments as an engineer.
“Neil is a lot more than just an astronaut,”
Hansen said. “He was an astronaut for just eight years.
He’s a professional engineer and a test pilot, and
he flew 78 combat missions in the Korean War.”
It has been nearly three years since Hansen, a professor
of history in the AU College of Liberal Arts, began work
on the book and he said its release is somewhat bittersweet.
“I’m glad it is finished, and this is such an
exciting time in my life. But at the same time it is a little
melancholy because this is sort of like saying goodbye to
the work in some way.”
Hansen said he is happy with the way the book turned out
and with the reviews, which have been very good. But perhaps
the best and most important endorsement he has received
came from Armstrong himself.
“Neil read all the way through it and said he thought
it was a great book,” Hansen said. “That means
a lot to me because this book does not hold back any punches.
It is a three-dimensional look at his life, warts and all.”
Hansen said it was important to both himself and Armstrong
that the work be an independent scholarly biography and
not hero worship.
Published by Simon & Schuster, the book is 780 pages,
including about 100 pages of notes, acknowledgments, an
index and a bibliography.
“I wanted it to pass muster as a scholarly work,”
he said. Hansen’s interviews with Armstrong will be
placed in an archive at Purdue University along with all
of Armstrong’s personal papers.
The book also includes a montage of photos of Armstrong
on the back cover as well as three photo inserts inside.
Hansen had access to Armstrong’s personal photo album
and selected many previously unpublished pictures for “First
Man.”
Hansen also selected the cover photo and named the book.
“I think it is important to have a cover that communicates
the central message of the book. And the title ‘First
Man’ can be applied in so many ways to Armstrong’s
life,” he said.
The AU professor specializes in the history of science
and technology and the impact of science and technology
on society. He has published eight other books, but none
have had the impact on popular culture comparable to that
of “First Man,” which has already created a lot
of media attention in advance of its release.
The publisher has deals for the book’s release in
China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand
and Croatia, and is making arrangements to publish the book
in other countries.
Warner Brothers Studios has an option for the film rights
to the book, and Hansen has met with Oscar-winning director
and actor Clint Eastwood to discuss adapting the book for
the screen. “I am still keeping my fingers crossed
that Eastwood will be interested,” Hansen said. “I
think he would make it into an outstanding film and a vehicle
to study American hero worship.”
