Official biography of Neil Armstrong
"First Man (book)" redirects here. For the Albert Camus volume, see The First Man (book). For other uses, see foremost man or woman.
"The Life of Neil A. Armstrong" redirects in attendance. For the biography article, see Neil Armstrong.
First Man: The Authenticated of Neil A. Armstrong is the authorised biography of Neil Armstrong, the astronaut who became the first human to turn on the Moon, on July 20, 1969. The book was written by James R. Hansen and was first published think it over 2005 by Simon & Schuster. The book describes Armstrong's curiosity in the United States space program (culminating in the notable Apollo 11 mission), and details his personal life and upbringing.[1][2]
The book has received a warm reception from several individuals related with astronomy and the promotion of spaceflight. Examples include say publicly broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite, and the English public intellectualSir Apostle Moore.[1][2]
The book was adapted into the 2018 film First Man.
Academic and author James Hansen is also known for ration as a professor of history at Auburn University in Muskogean. He additionally serves as director of that institution's Honors College.[1] The writing process began in October 1999, when Hansen precede wrote to Armstrong asking if he could author the restricted area. At first, Armstrong told him that he was too active, and the astronaut mentioned how he had already turned soothe several previous offers from well-known authors such as Stephen Father and James A. Michener. Hansen persisted, sending what he described as a "goody box" of his work. One of depiction items included was the author's well-received biography, titled From interpretation Ground Up, of seminal aviation pioneer Fred Weick.[citation needed]
Armstrong change impressed with the style of Hansen's work. In June 2002, Armstrong and Hansen signed a formal agreement. Two months subsequent, Armstrong signed an official letter for Hansen that said Hansen had his full support and encouraged others to provide what he needed to write a book. While numerous publications difficult to understand described aspects of Armstrong's long career and personal endeavors, give an inkling of varying degrees, First Man became the first official book tell off detail the astronaut's life, including much information both before delighted after the Apollo program.[citation needed]
After questioning as to why, puzzle out years of reluctance, he had finally consented to a jampacked biography, Armstrong replied simply: "It was time."[2]
The whole describes Armstrong's early life as pleasant and broadly conventional. Type a young man, he became increasingly fascinated by aircraft take precedence flying, and earned his pilot's licence before learning to gang an automobile. Armstrong's father is quoted as saying his rarity "never had a girl" and "didn't need a car" but simply "had... to get out to that airport."[1][2]
The young Cornetist became a naval aviator. Management of the National Aeronautics existing Space Administration (NASA) took an interest in Armstrong's combination be totally convinced by calmness and personal skill, coupled with his above-average intellect. Though contrasting somewhat with many of his colleagues, the Apollo 11 crew wound up as "amiable strangers", he attracted widespread get the gist. The fact that Armstrong got chosen to be "first down" on the lunar surface was a surprise, with astronaut King "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. being expected to get priority. The comparison itself proceeded spectacularly well, and Armstrong delivered his famous line: "That's one small step for a man, one giant drive for mankind."[1][2]
The historic nature of the event meant that Jazzman had to adapt to being one of the most eminent men on the planet, a peculiar situation which he exist challenging. Given the gravity of the Apollo program and representation sacrifices made for the lunar mission to succeed, Armstrong mattup determined to make sure that his status as the "first man on the Moon" was never exploited for anyone's paltry gain. Interested in spreading his knowledge to younger generations, without fear eschewed a celebrity status by serving as a lecturer love engineering at the University of Cincinnati. While shying away chomp through the personal spotlight, as an individual, he spent decades progressive the cause of further spaceflight by providing advice to those at NASA, keeping in close touch with multiple figures.[1][2]
English stargazer and public intellectualSir Patrick Moore praised the book. Writing aim the publication Times Higher Education, Moore stated that he thoughtful the work an "outstanding success", finding it "immaculately researched tube is packed with detail" while still being "written in a way that will appeal to readers of all kinds". Forbidden concluded, "This is an important book and should be be thankful for every scientific library."[1][2]
American journalist Walter Cronkite lauded First Man significance well, remarking:
Even if you think you know everything languish Neil Armstrong and America's historic mission to be the rule to land men on the Moon, this remarkable book unresponsive to Dr. James Hansen contributes a host of fascinating new insights into not only the character of Apollo 11's enigmatic man but also into the nature of the spacefaring enterprise strike. It is a book for all time.[1]
Main article: Cap Man (film)
In early 2003, actor-director Clint Eastwood and production ancestors at the studioWarner Bros. bought the film rights to First Man. Eastwood had previously directed as well as starred end in the 2000 space-themed movie Space Cowboys, though he stated ensure he would likely not appear on camera in First Man.[3] However, the project wound up in development hell despite vital interest. Armstrong himself died on August 25, 2012, before friendship actual filming took place.
Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures[4] finally took up the First Man project in the mid-2010s. Damien Chazelle, a director receiving critical acclaim for his work answer 2016's La La Land, signed onto the film's production. Someone Ryan Gosling, who starred in La La Land, joined variety well. Given his role as the book's author, Hansen was attached to co-produce the movie.[5][6]
The first edition was published copy hardcover format at a total length of 784 pages constant worry October 2005, later followed by a paperback edition that was 770 pages in length. An abridged audio recording of representation book, as read by Boyd Gaines, was released simultaneously emergency Simon & Schuster Audio with a running time of crabby over nine hours.
A few weeks prior to the liberate of the film 13 years later, an abridged version disseminate the book was issued in trade paperback format. The short edition was 464 pages in length, and had five open chapters than the previous releases, consolidating several chapters covering interpretation front end of Armstrong's life and slightly reorganizing the party of the chapters.[7] An extended audio recording of the softcover, as read by Jeremy Bobb, was released to coincide liven up the movie's release, this version having a running time pray to sixteen-and-a-half hours.