For those who followed the Russian Space Program this was the first book, published in the US, that gave a close up look at the early days. It is very much a PR piece, presenting the Russian program as something out of a 19th century Russian Novel. One where everyone is happy, recites poetry, and boldly goes into space for Mother Russia. One doesn't read about the Chief Designer's prison term, or the explosion at the launch site. Read this, then go read Jim Oberg's "Red Star in Orbit". Red Star will fill in all the gaps. ( )

This book gives western readers their first inside look at the Soviet Union's vast space program. Evgeny describes in detail the historic rockets and spacecraft, and introduces the cosmonauts, scientists and engineers who have designed them.