Mercury Rising, by Jeff Shesol

Staff Pick

Author, historian, speechwriter, and cartoonist Jeff Shesol has produced a masterpiece of narrative history, exploring how the space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, and particularly Project Mercury, defined the Cold War era. A review in The New York Times notes Shesol’s “extraordinary qualities as a storyteller,” showcasing his talent for character portraits and use of historical detail for context. Historian David Brinkley applauds Shesol for capturing the drama and tension surrounding the Mercury launch, adding that the book “has movie written all over it.” But until a movie comes out, please just read it! Shesol’s visual sensibilities as an artist and his literary flair leap off every page.

Mercury Rising: John Glenn, John Kennedy, and the New Battleground of the Cold War By Jeff Shesol Cover Image
$28.95
ISBN: 9781324003243
Availability: Special Order—Subject to Availability
Published: W. W. Norton & Company - June 1st, 2021