Korolev: How One Man Masterminded the Soviet Drive to Beat America to the Moon - Couverture rigide

Harford, James

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0471148539 ISBN 13 : 9780471148531

Editeur : John Wiley & Sons Inc, 1997

Synopsis

Providing a history of the Soviet space programme from the 1930s to the 1970s, this work focuses on Sergei Korolev, the man who built the programme, started the "space race", and dominated the programme until his death in 1966. The evolution of the Soviet space program, which brought the Space Age into being, is one of the most important developments of the 20th century. This book shows how a huge military-industry-university complex comprised of gifted, dedicated engineers and scientists met the gigantic challenge of pioneering the space age under a repressive, secretive regime with limited technology. Although virtually unknown both in his own country and in the West, Korolev is considered by those knowledgeable about the subject to be as, if not more, important than Werhner von Braun. This is the personal story behind the Soviet space programme: Korolev emerged from imprisonment as a spy in a Siberian gulag to full freedom to lead the space programmes he dominated until his sudden death, which is still shrouded in mystery.

A propos du livre

Quatrième de couverture

"Harford′s fluency in Russian and his intimate knowledge of space technology give us insights that few, if any, Americans and Russians have had into this dark history of Soviet space." ––Dr. Herbert Friedman, Chief Scientist, Hulburt Center for Space Research Naval Research Laboratory

"For decades the identity of the Russian Chief Designer who shocked the world with the launching of the first Sputnik was one of the Soviet Union′s best kept secrets. This book tells vividly the story of that man, Sergei Korolev, in remarkable detail, with many facts and anecdotes previously unavailable to the West." ––Sergei Khrushchev, Visiting Senior Fellow, Center for Foreign Policy Development

"Through masterful research and an engaging narrative style, James Harford gives the world its first in–depth look at the man who should rightly be called the father of the Soviet space program." ––Norman R. Augustine, CEO, Lockheed Martin

"Avid space enthusiasts will find this story a necessary addition to their knowledge . . . of space exploration." ––Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., former Director of Flight Operations, NASA

"Must reading for anyone who would understand how a backward country could achieve so much success in a field demanding a level of accomplishment which few nations could have pulled off." ––Dr. John L. McLucas, former Secretary, U. S. Air Force

"Magnificent . . . the book will be a basic reference for historians concerned with Soviet science, technology, and politics during the cold war." ––Robert C. Seamans, Jr., former Deputy Administrator, NASA

How One Man Masterminded the Soviet Drive to Beat America to the Moon

August 21, 1957. A Soviet rocket propels a simulated nuclear warhead from Baikonur to the Kamchatka Peninsula, a distance of more than four thousand miles. Six weeks later the world is stunned by the launch of Sputnik. While the United States furiously steps up its own space program, scientists and engineers everywhere wonder how the Soviet Union was able to achieve such a coup. The answer lay within the mind of one man: Korolev.

A mysterious figure, virtually unknown even in his own country, Sergei Pavlovich Korolev masterminded not only the historic launch of Sputnik and the first intercontinental ballistic missile, but Yuri Gagarin′s epochal space flight, and, ultimately, the Soviet attempt to beat America to the moon. Who was Korolev? Where did he come from? Why is so little known about him? In this groundbreaking new book, James Harford uncovers the extraordinary story of one of the true pioneers of the space program.

Based on extensive interviews with and memoirs of participating engineers and scientists, as well as family and friends, Korolev affords a rare glimpse into the inner circles of a world often cloaked in secrecy and intrigue. Spanning the decades from the 1930s to the 1960s, this is a beautifully detailed blend of biography and recent history, chronicling the remarkable rise of one man from imprisonment in a Soviet gulag on trumped up charges to lead his nation′s space program. It is a compelling true tale of triumph in the face of a repressive regime, and of achievement against the odds of limited resources and inferior technology.

With more than forty years′ involvement with the U.S. space program, James Harford writes with authority and insight. His insider′s knowledge of the sometimes precarious course of America′s own space program––fueled by reaction to Soviet advances––adds both drama and authenticity. This is a high–stakes world where success and failure are equally spectacular.

The driving force behind this compelling account is Sergei Korolev′s own story, including his premature death in 1966. Korolev′s vision and leadership galvanized a vast military–industrial–university complex comprised of gifted, dedicated engineers and scientists. They saw the future and changed history.

Présentation de l'éditeur

How One Man Masterminded the Soviet Drive Beat America to the Moon.

"Fascinating . . . packed with technical and historical detail for the space expert and enthusiast alike . . . Great stuff!"–New Scientist

"In this exceptional book, James Harford pieces together a most compelling and well–written tale. . . . Must reading."–Space News.

"Through masterful research and an engaging narrative style, James Harford gives the world its first in–depth look at the man who should rightly be called the father of the Soviet space program."–Norman R. Augustine, CEO, Lockheed Martin.

"In Korolev, James Harford has written a masterly biography of this enigmatic ′Chief Designer′ whose role the Soviets kept secret for fear that Western agents might ′get at′ him."–Daily Telegraph.

"Harford′s fluency in Russian and his intimate knowledge of space technology give us insights that few, if any, Americans and Russians have had into this dark history of Soviet space."–Dr. Herbert Friedman, Chief Scientist, Hulburt Center for Space Research Naval Research Laboratory.

"Reveals the complex, driven personality of a man who, despite unjust imprisonment in the Gulag, toiled tirelessly for the Soviet military industrial complex. . . . More than just a biography, this is also a history of the Soviet space program at the height of the Cold War. . . . Highly recommended."–Library Journal.

"For decades the identity of the Russian Chief Designer who shocked the world with the launching of the first Sputnik was one of the Soviet Union′s best–kept secrets. This book tells vividly the story of that man, Sergei Korolev, in remarkable detail, with many facts and anecdotes previously unavailable to the West."–Sergei Khrushchev, Visiting Senior Fellow, Center for Foreign Policy Development.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: John Wiley & Sons Inc
• Date d'édition: 1997
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0471148539
• ISBN 13: 9780471148531
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 342
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible