Why a biography of Alan Shepard?
In my journalism career, and now in my career as an author, I’ve always sought out stories about complicated, somewhat iconic men. I was drawn to Shepard’s story not only because he was a well-known and highly accomplished American figure, but also because his life story is so rich with complexity and paradox. He was raised in a religious and disciplined family, but became a renowned rule-breaker, occasional hellion and undeclared agnostic. He was a good father and devoted husband, but not necessarily faithful. He was a top Navy pilot, but constantly battled against the Navy’s rules, to the point of once almost being court martialed. He was ruthlessly competitive but could also be generous and kind and extremely loyal. In short, he was fascinatingly complex. Why do you think there wasn’t an autobiography? I think Shepard preferred not to tell the world his entire life story; he didn’t need (or desire) the attention, and preferred to maintain his privacy. And while Moon Shot – written b
