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Korolev

How One Man Masterminded the Soviet Drive to Beat America to the Moon
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( 254 ratings, 16 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Korolev by James Harford is a detailed biography exploring the fascinating life of Sergei Korolev, the pioneering Soviet rocket engineer and spacecraft designer who played a pivotal role in the space race. The book delves into Korolev's journey against a backdrop of political turmoil, illustrating his contributions to space exploration and the challenges he faced in bringing his ambitious visions to life. This narrative unveils his critical impact on history and provides insight into the man behind the Soviet Union's achievements in space technology.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$7100

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're fascinated by space exploration and enjoy delving into the lives of pioneering figures in science and technology, you might find this biography intriguing. It reveals the life of the visionary mind responsible for significant Soviet advancements in space, offering a detailed look into both the man and the era that shaped his extraordinary achievements.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

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.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This text details and analyses the history of the Soviet space programme and tells the story of its charismatic founder, Sergei Korolev. Although virtually unknown both in his own country and in the West, Korolev is considered by experts to be as, if not more, important than Wernher von Braun.

Harford traces the space programme from the 1930s to the 1970s, focusing on the man who started the "space race" and dominated the programme until his death in 1966. It 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.

This is a personal story in which Korolev emerged from imprisonment as a spy in a Siberian gulag to full freedom to lead the space programme he dominated until his sudden death, which is still shrouded in mystery.

The evolution of the Soviet space programme, which created the Space Age, is one of the most important developments of the 20th century. Korolev is based on extensive interviews with and memoirs of participating engineers and scientists, as well as family and friends of Korolev. The author was involved with the U.S. space programme for more than 40 years, and his association with those who participated in the Soviet space programme goes back to 1959.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Korolev by James Harford receives praise for its compelling storytelling and detailed insights into the Russian space programme. It's described as essential reading for space enthusiasts, offering meticulously researched insights into Korolev's life and work, making it a fascinating read for both experts and space aficionados.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780471327219

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 April 1999

Country: United States

Imprint: John Wiley & Sons Inc

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 237.0mm

Weight: 635g

Pages: 432

About the Author

JAMES HARFORD, Executive Director Emeritus of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Washington, D.C., has been involved in aerospace for over 40 years, and was a Verville Fellow at the National Air and Space Museum. Mr. Harford lives in Princeton, New Jersey.

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