First Man: The Life of Neil A Armstrong

Development

Academic and author James Hansen is also known for serving as a professor of history at Auburn University in Alabama. He additionally serves as director of that institution's Honors College. The writing process began in October 1999, when Hansen first wrote to Armstrong asking if he could author the book. At first, Armstrong told him that he was too busy, and the astronaut mentioned how he had already turned down several previous offers from well-known authors such as Stephen Ambrose and James A. Michener. Hansen persisted, sending what he described as a "goody box" of his work. One of the items included was the author's well-received biography, titled From the Ground Up, of seminal aviation pioneer Fred Weick.

Armstrong felt impressed with the style of Hansen's work. In June 2002, Armstrong and Hansen signed a formal agreement. Two months later, 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 had described aspects of Armstrong's long career and personal endeavors, to varying degrees, First Man became the first official book to detail the astronaut's life, including much information both before and after the Apollo program.

After questioning as to why, after years of reluctance, he had finally consented to a full biography, Armstrong replied simply: "It was time."

Contents and details

The book describes Armstrong's pleasant and broadly conventional early life. The young man becomes more and more fascinated by aircraft and flying, and he even earns his pilot's licence before he has qualifications to drive an automobile. Armstrong's father remarks that his son "never had a girl" and "didn't need a car" but simply "had... to get out to that airport."

The young Armstrong becomes a naval aviator. The administration of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) take an interest in Armstrong's combination of calmness and personal skill coupled with his above-average intellect. Although contrasting somewhat with many of his colleagues, the Apollo 11 crew winding up as "amiable strangers", he attracts widespread respect. The fact that Armstrong gets chosen to be "first down" on the lunar surface is a surprise, with astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. being expected to get priority. The mission itself proceeds spectacularly well, and Armstrong gives his famous line: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."

The historic nature of the event means that Armstrong must adapt to being one of the most famous men on the planet, a peculiar situation which the astronaut finds challenging. Given the gravity of the Apollo program and the sacrifices made so that the lunar mission succeeded, Armstrong feels determined to make sure that his status as the 'first man on the moon' is never exploited for anyone's petty gain. Interested in spreading his knowledge to younger generations, he eschews a celebrity status by serving as a lecturer in engineering at the University of Cincinnati. While shying away from the personal spotlight, as an individual, the astronaut spends decades advancing the cause of further spaceflight in terms of providing advice to those at NASA, being in close touch with multiple figures.

Reception

English astronomer and public intellectual Sir Patrick Moore praised the book. Writing for the publication Times Higher Education, Moore stated that he considered the work an "outstanding success", finding it "immaculately researched and is packed with detail" while still being "written in a way that will appeal to readers of all kinds". He concluded, "This is an important book and should be in every scientific library."

American media figure Walter Cronkite lauded First Man as well, remarking:

"Even if you think you know everything about Neil Armstrong and America's historic mission to be the first to land men on the Moon, this remarkable book by Dr. James Hansen contributes a host of fascinating new insights into not only the character of Apollo 11's enigmatic commander but also into the nature of the spacefaring enterprise itself. It is a book for all time."

Film adaptation

In early 2003, actor-director Clint Eastwood and production people at the studio Warner Bros. bought the film rights to First Man. Eastwood had previously directed as well as starred in the 2001 space-themed movie Space Cowboys, though he stated that he would likely not appear on camera in First Man. However, the project wound up in development hell despite significant interest. Armstrong himself died on August 25, 2012, before any actual filming took place.

Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures ultimately took up the First Man project in the mid-2010s. Damien Chazelle, a director receiving critical acclaim for his work in 2016's La La Land, signed onto the film's production. Actor Ryan Gosling, who starred in La La Land, joined as well. Given his role as the book's author, Hansen was attached to co-produce the movie.