The author of the book 'The Right Stuff' is Tom Wolfe. He was born in 1931 and is an American author and journalist. He is best known for his works such as The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, The Bonfire of the Vanities, and The Right Stuff. He has also written many essays and articles for magazines such as Esquire, Harper's, and Rolling Stone. Wolfe is considered to be one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.