The Soviet Manned Space Program

Traces the development of the Soviet space program from Sputnik to the Mir space station, and looks at future Soviet plans for the exploration of space

This book is as much a detective story about trying to gather information in the pre- glasnost Soviet Union as it is an exhaustive history of every Soviet manned space mission. Of particular interest is the coverage of the Soviets' unsuccessful manned lunar program of the 1960s. Unfortunately, the author's dry writing style and the almost excruciating detail make this volume less readable than similar histories, e.g., James E. Oberg's Red Star in Orbit ( LJ 6/15/81) and Peter R. Bond's Heroes In Space ( LJ 6/15/87). Nevertheless, given its excellent illustrations, as well as the burgeoning Soviet space program itself, this is still highly recommended.
- Thomas J. Frieling, Bainbridge Coll., Ga.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.