About the Book Light This Candle, based on Thompsons exclusive access to private papers and interviews with Shepards family and closest friends--including John Glenn, Wally Schirra, and Gordon Cooper--offers a riveting, action-packed account of Shepards life. Book Synopsis The definitive biography of Alan Shepard, Americas first man in space, with a new Foreword by Chris Kraft One of the finest books ever written about the space program.--Homer Hickan, author of Rocket Boys A wonderful and gripping biography . . . meticulously reported in the best tradition of David Halberstam.--Buzz Bissinger, New York Times bestselling author of Friday Night Lights Alan Shepard was the brashest, cockiest, and most flamboyant of Americas original Mercury Seven, but he was also regarded as the best. Intense, colorful, and dramatic, he was among the most private of Americas public figures and, until his death in 1998, he guarded the story of his life zealously. Light This Candle , based on Neal Thompsons exclusive access to private papers and interviews with Shepards family and closest friends--including John Glenn, Wally Schirra, and Gordon Cooper--offers a riveting, action-packed account of Shepards life. Review Quotes One of the finest books ever written about the space program. On nearly every page of this fine book, I learned something new. Neal has given Shepards unique humanity a chance to emerge from not only the legend that NASA built around him but the one he built around himself. Alan Shepard, it turns out we didnt know you, after all. Light this candle, indeed. --Homer Hickam, author of Rocket Boys Wonderful and gripping ...The cant-put-it-down story of a modern swashbuckler determined to conquer the universe whatever the risk. In Thompsons hands, an amazing life, the ultimate American life, comes alive so exquisitely. --Buzz Bissinger, New York Times bestselling author of Friday Night Lights Why dont you fix your little problem and light this candle. --Alan Shepard to NASA technicians, at liftoff for Americas first manned spaceflight Just what a biography should be: sharp, evocative, and brisk. -- Kirkus Reviews Thompson provides the fullest portrait [of Shepard] yet. Does much to illuminate the life and personality of perhaps the most private and complex member of the Mercury Seven. -- Library Journal About the Author Neal Thompson is a veteran journalist who has worked for the Baltimore Sun , Philadelphia Inquirer , and St. Petersburg Times . He has also written for numerous national magazines, including Outside , Mens Health , Backpacker , and the Washington Post Magazine . Thompson lives with his wife and their two sons in Asheville, North Carolina, where he teaches at the University of North Carolina and is writing a book about moonshine, NASCAR, and the South. Visit his website at www.nealthompson.com.