The Right Stuff: Interviews with Icons of the 1960s

by James M. Clash

Everything changed in the 1960s. The decade ushered in rock 'n' roll, civil rights, a rejection of conformity and a new age of adventure. Spurred by the Cold War, a generation of men sought to attain what seemed like impossible goals: to walk on the moon, to skydive from unthinkable heights, to explore the deepest reaches of the sea. We've heard about these achievements in textbooks, but we haven't heard them in the adventurers' own words -- until now. In The Right Stuff: Interviews With Icons Of The 1960s, journalist and Explorers Club fellow and author Jim Clash has compiled 14 of his incredibly rare interviews with the scientists, athletes and explorers of the '50s and '60s who expanded our conception of the limits of mankind. Come and take a look back with us at this incredible era.


"Every fighter pilot has a few good stories in them that start with
the phrase, 'There I was...' James M. Clash's The Right Stuff captures
the same excitement of the turbulent and fascinating '60s. This
book reopens the door to an era rich in history and gives new insight
into the true grit of that day."
- Brian Binnie, Ansari X Prize-winning astronaut

"The '60s were a time of enormous technological innovation -- whether
with space travel or in race cars. My Indy 500 win came in 1969, just
before men went to the moon. Here, James M. Clash assembles a collection of
the decade's big achievers. His prescient questions with the likes of
Armstrong, Hillary and Walsh take me back to when everything seemed
possible. And it was -- in the 1970s, I went on to the ultimate racing
crown, winning an F1 world title."
- Mario Andretti, 1978 Formula One World Driving Champion

"Though I wasn't around for the 1960s, I appreciate the time as one
of profound milestones. In Jim's book, we follow the decade's best
describing their accomplishments in intricate detail. A powerful
lesson in history for my own generation, and a nostalgic look back for
baby boomers."
- Sasha Cohen, 2006 Olympic silver medalist figure skater

"In the cosmic scheme of all things, we were a puff of stardust. In
that real decade of the '60s, however, so many amazing people did
so many amazing things. As I look back, I can honestly allow, ‘Wasn’t
that a time?’"
- Jorma Kaukonen, Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna guitarist and founder of
Fur Peace Ranch

"The 1960's was a decade of exploration. The true icons of the era are
Explorers Club members. Many recount their discoveries in The Right
Stuff: Interviews With Icons of the 1960s. This book is an adventure
in itself -- a must for those interested in real exploration."
- Alan Nichols, Explorers Club President

89 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 10, 2012

Reviews

[P. Henninger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe "The Right Stuff" is the willingness to invest everything, all of one's being, into meeting a challenge head on. That is something we seem to have lost. We want our world to be safe and risk-free. We don't want even our ideas or beliefs challenged, complaining that we are "offended" by so many things, and even afraid of ideas.

Did you ever wonder, just what is "The Right Stuff"? There really doesn't need to be a definition, nor does the author present one. What seems to be the common element is that all of the subjects of the interviews in this book all step up to meet the extraordinary challenges with which they are presented. They don't back down, they invest all of themselves into the meeting, takes the risks, and they prevail.

The subjects of these interviews were willing to risk everything. So many now, 50 years later, are afraid their tender egos will be damaged. This is a great read, if only to see what has been lost in our characters.