The Last Man on the Moon Files, 1934 - 2001

This sub-series contains research materials and records pertaining to the production of Eugene Cernan's autobiography, The Last Man on the Moon, co-written with Don Davis. Included are Cernan's personal research files, comprised of numerous records from Cernan's service in the United States Navy and as an astronaut. Cernan compiled these materials in the process of researching and writing, The Last Man on the Moon, and they have been retained in the order received.

In particular, these research files contain personal records such as Cernan's birth certificate, correspondence and documentation of Cernan's entrance and distinguished service in the United States Navy and Manned Spaceflight Program, congratulatory telegrams and letters, newspaper coverage of his participation in the Gemini and Apollo projects, and excerpts from other published works by former astronauts and NASA officials.

Combined with these personal records are Cernan's handwritten notes for writing The Last Man on the Moon (usually written on yellow legal paper). Holdings pertaining to Cernan's family, post-Apollo activities and discussions, and other astronauts are also present. Within these files are several items of note, including a letter to Cernan notifying him of selection into the Manned Spaceflight Program, correspondence with friends and family regarding astronaut selection, the pre-flight schedule for the crew of Gemini IX, and a letter from Cernan to his mother, just prior to Apollo X. Cernan's personal research files for The Last Man on the Moon contain many records which are thematically related to other series in the collection (particularly Series 3).

In addition, this sub-series contains records relating to the creation, revision, and publication of The Last Man on the Moon, including literary agent and co-author selection, book proposal drafts, editing and publication correspondence, full manuscript drafts, publication and promotion efforts including book signings, post-publication corrections, and marketing. Of special note is correspondence between Cernan and numerous noteworthy figures including former colleagues at NASA, business leaders, journalists, politicians, and celebrities. This correspondence provides impressions, suggestions, and official remarks from figures specifically selected by Cernan to read advance copies of the manuscript.