In my novel, Lunatics, I had first envisioned LBJ playing quite a minor role. I thought I really only needed him to help show how the Apollo Program might have been extended and how von Braun might have been chosen as an astronaut. However, as I began to write the man into scenes, he seemed to grow larger and larger in scope. In the scenes with von Braun, it was LBJ who dominated all the dialogue. I suppose this should not be surprising. Just being president accounts for much of his authority, but there was a certain force to his personality too, a certain “killer-instinct” when it came to getting his way, that made him an overpowering presence most of the time. To see von Braun quiet, and tentative, as he nearly always was in the presence of Lyndon Johnson, was quite amazing to me. For von Braun too was a giant personality– eloquent, persuasive, charming, fearless and a towering intellect. Yet, beside LBJ, he could seem quite ordinary. Fascinating… To me, anyway.
In the end, I could not get past the historical fact that LBJ died of a heart attack in early 1973, and my moon mission was slated to take place in June 1974. So he HAD to leave the story at this point. Good thing—he was getting a little out of control!
In the end, I could not get past the historical fact that LBJ died of a heart attack in early 1973, and my moon mission was slated to take place in June 1974. So he HAD to leave the story at this point. Good thing—he was getting a little out of control!