Russia Books

Essentailly, this book provides great analysis on the current state of the Russian Airforce. Since the fall of Communism in 1990, the country has gone into an extreme debt. Due to that debt the Russian Airfoce has been forced to endure extreme budget cuts and upgrades to existing aircraft. Most development programs are now only research and development for scientific purposes. Many of the more advanced aircraft such as the Mig 1.42, S-37a or SU-47, and SU-37 will never see combat service. The history behind these planes, however, is fantastic. Huge recommendation for any Cold War fans. This is way better than Popular Mechanics on individual jets.

This book represents a remarkably successful attempt to present the aviation elements of the numerous branches of the Russian armed forces and their equipment. Although detailed accounts of the latest Russian aircraft have been available for years, this lavishly illustrated volume succeeds in presenting these impressive aeronautical achievements in the context of the operational requirements and national strategy of Russia. Tactics and weapons are thoroughly discussed and major shortcomings, especially in training and maintanance are dealt with as well. The organisations themselves are presented in some detail; however, the reader who expects a detailed "order of battle" of these organisations will be disappointed.
The outstanding achievement of this volume is that it combines the russian perspective on airpower with some unknown aspects of Russian operations, e.g. Russian army UAVs, the two Chechen campaigns as well as fascinating future developements.

Yefim Gordon is one of the top aviatian journalists in the world today, especially in regards to Soviet and Russian aircraft and designs. Being Russian, he offers an insider's view on the history, design, manufacture, and development of all major Soviet/Russian aircraft programs. Together with co-author Alan Dawes, Gordon has created the ultimate study of the modern Russian Air Force. The book analyzes and details the various air forces from the Soviet Union (Long Range Aviation, Frontal Aviation, Transport, Air Defense, Naval,etc) to today and gives an up-to-date breakdown on the current usage including squadrons, aircraft types, and airbases.

Lavish with full color pictures and rich with detail from an insider's perspective, Russian Air Power is a must have for any aviation enthusiast and well worth the money.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Brooks' biography of Donna Gracia Nasi (THE WOMAN WHO DEFIED KINGS), I was looking forward to her new book very much. I was not disappointed - this is a terrific read, full of historical details, romance, suspense, irony, real tragedy, and all carried off by Brooks with intelligence, wit and style.
I cannot recommend this book too highly!!!!

Andree Brooks has created a fascinating book. Her observations about people and human nature are alarmingly astute. She teaches about a little-known, but important, period in history, but she does not lecture the reader who is far too engrossed in the tragic relationship of Marc and Bluett to realize that he/she has learned something along the way. This is a book that you will gobble up in one sitting (not often said about a book drenched with history) -- and will linger with you for days to come.

Author Andree Aelion Brooks renders the story of Bluet Rabinoff and Marc Cheftel so compellingly that one is tempted to read the book in one sitting -- not only to find out what happens next in this story of a great love, but also to appreciate the meticulously researched details of a turbulent era in world history. Whether the setting is the opulent world of the arts that Bluet inhabits in New York City in the late 1920s, or the day-to-day bleak subsistence and terror of Stalinist Moscow in 1931, Brooks creates a sense of immediacy and urgency -- a true "you are there" quality.

In addition to chronicling the joys and perils of a great passion between two unique people, the book also serves as a cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of idealogy and nation-building. Moreover, it makes clear how historical events affect the most personal of issues: love, friendship, parenthood, loyalty. In sum, an excellent book, well worth reading.

This is one of two volumes of Russian fairy tales, lavishly illustrated with full color reproductions of lacquer miniature paintings. This volume gives a fairly detailed description of the process of creating this folk art form, beginning with the fabrication of the papier-mache' box or plaque, through the mixing of the egg-tempura or oil paints, to the fine details of the miniature masterpieces. All four Villages, or styles, of the art are represented, featuring the works of world-reknowned Masters. For any collector of fine lacquer art from Palekh, Kholui, Mstera, and Fedoskino; or for anyone who enjoys Russian folk tales; this is a wonderful, high-quality book. It also makes a very nice gift.

This is the second of two volumes of Russian fairy tales, illustrated with stunning color reproductions of "lacquer-miniature" masterpieces. The art of miniature oil painting began in Fedoskino centuries ago, and today features realistic renderings of village life, portraits, and archetecture. The villages of Palekh, Kholui, and Mstera were long the center for ikon painting, with successive generations following the tradition of apprenticing with Masters. Ikons were painted with the extremely durable egg-tempura paints, utilizing natural dyes. After the Bolshevik Revolution, iconography was discouraged, and painters from these three schools began depicting pagan folk tales, troikas and village life, heroic legend, history, and "inspirational" revolutionary themes. Traditional iconic style distinguishes the works of these little rural villages, whose artists still use the ancient techniques and materials. Many of today's Masters are currently working to restore treasured ikons damaged under Stalinist decree. The beautiful glossy photos in these volumes represent some of the best work of Russia's Master painters. For collectors of this appealing art, or for those who appreciate intricate Russian folk tales, the Lucy Maxym series is a wonderful addition to your library.

Lucy Maxym has written two authoritative books on the subject of Russian fairy tales and the beautiful laquer art that depicts these folktales. This is one volume of a two volume set. Unfortunately there is no cover art available online to show the magnificent scene shown from Voron Voronovich or The Raven. When the book is opened up it shows the complete panel that is the actual size. There are over one hundred full color plates that are beyond description with their delicate intricacy and unsurpassed attention to minute detail. The precise tempura egg based brush strokes are unbelieveable. They are in a word, exquisite. I've enjoyed this book for years and have it handy for quick and easy inspiration. Many of the color illustrations are actual size which allows the viewer to appreciate the intricate finesse involved in the small works of art. Sometimes a magnifying glass helps to appreciate the fine detail. The subtlety and skill in producing these works of art is nothing short of amazing. The actual text is complete, concise and explains the nineteen Russian legends and fairy tales chosen. My own interest grew out of a collection of plates I have from some of these folktales where I wanted to know more about the story behind the magnificent laquered plates. I found this book to be helpful to understanding the tales and was even more pleased by the art work included. If you like Russian folktales or the miniature lacquer paintings this book will bring much joy throughout the years, year after year. Get both volumes for a double treat.

Spacesuits should be of renewed interest with the upcoming private space tourist ventures.

I bought this book after I had the opportunity to examine, hands-on, a Russian SOKOL rescue suit. What struck me was the sheer simplicity of the design and I wanted to know more about this suit.

This book provides much of that background, plus that of the famous Orlan EVA suits and others in the history of the Russian space program.

Compared to the related books on US Spacesuits (Springer Praxis Books / Space Exploration), it is remarkable how different Russian suits are, and how much more conservative their designs are. Russian suits, like their spacecraft are relatively stable designs undergoing incremental improvements, probably in response to the much fewer resources available to them for development.

The book covers the development well, although I did not notice any mention of ideas borrowed from US suits, whereas the book on US spacesuits has a wry mention of the remarkable similarity of some US suit components to Russian ones.

As with the US spacesuit book, the same comments on the lack of color illustrations and technical details apply.

In Russia, the need for suits to be worn in the upper atmosphere, developed in the 1930:ies, engendered the suits to be used in spacecrafts, outside spacecrafts and on the Moon. Naturally, the use of a protective garment inside the space cabin was the first usage, Juri Gagarin wore such a garment on his historic flight. Even today the protective garment is the iconic spacesuit, which we see Cosmonaut wearing as their uniforms for the trip off the Earth. Suits for extravehicular activities, EVA, are quite different. The Soviet Union, of course, never made it to the lunar surface, but had a cosmonaut, probably Alexei Leonov, made a landing, he would have been dressed for the occasion. After all, the first Space Walk ever was also a first testing of a garment to be worn on the Moon, by the man who was supposed to wear it!
The space suit technology, as developed in the Soviet Union, was even applicable to our canine friends, some of which did ballistic flights into space dressed more or less like the dog Milou in Hergés "Tin-Tin on the Moon". Thus we know where to turn if we want to walk our dogs on the Moon.
When Westerners started to fly in space alongside the Soviets, later Russians, in Saljut, Mir and International Space Station, it was as had inhabitants from different planets met. Now we may appreciate all those differences in technical culture as exemplified in the space suits of the Cosmonauts. There is, of course all the common ground resulting from like problems demanding like solutions, but overlying we see these subtle differences arising from different technical and engineering usages of two different cultures.
The book is co-authored by some of the actual developers of space suits in the then Soviet Union, later Russia, and thus as authoritative on the subject as can be. Fascinatingly, also, the historical developments inside the Soviet Union/Russia and internationally, reflect in much that the space suit developers had to contend with.
The scope of common activities betveen the Russians and the West European ESA was news to this rewiewer. We also note, that the Chinese "taikonauts" wear protective suits designed by the nowadays "Zvezda Development and Production Company". We also read of the challenge of rendering original technical texts in Russian into readable English, and concomitant difficulties inherent in the fact that, not only is translation of language required, but even the transliteration from one system of letters, i.e. Cyrillic, into our Roman alphabet poses its own problems and pitfalls. On the whole, the endeavour has been crowned with success. The system of measurements are, thankfully, the same on both sides of this barrier of language and glyphs.
All in all fascinating facts from a space program now slowly opening itself to inquisitive Western eyes. Great hopes for the future is embodied in the prospects of joint developments of the advanced spacesuits for space station EVA and the lunar and martian surfaces.

This is an excellent book with details not before shown outside the formerly closed confines of the old Soviet space program, except in various technical society papers. It has many excellent b&w photos and diagrams of Russian spacesuits from the SK-1, used for Vostok, up to the most modern Russian investigations of Mars EVA suits. The text is somewhat general in content though well written. It is also done in the typical style of Russian/English transliteration. Readers in the West, if they have not previously read any Russian technical papers, may find the transliteration hard to follow at times; but, this does not detract from the value of Mr. Ibramov's good work. If I had any complaint about the book it would be two items. First, the book lacks some technical detail in specific areas, so it sometimes creates more questions than it answers. If I did not already have a background in pressure suits some explanations would have confused me. The inclusion of a few explanatory drawings could have avoided this. Second, while the book gives credit, for the first time, as to which designers at Zvzeda created various general concepts, it does not often shed light on specific contributions, or the dynamimics involved in individual contributions. Nevertheless,I recomend this book. It is a MUST for your library. If the reader wants a technical look at Russian spacesuits I recommend "Pressure Suits and Systems For Work In The Open Cosmos" by Abramov, Severin, Stoklitsky and Sharipov. It is, however, a nearly impossible to find textbook.

Russian Symbolism seems to be a peculiar literary movement at first glance. But Russian Symbolists inherited very much from German romantics. I'm also a student of Russian Symbolism, especially of Ivanov's heritage, like the author. I was captivated by this book. This fascinating book has become for me a model of my research (especially the chapter 10 is splendid!): a "mirror" of what I think about Ivanov. An excellent book both for specialists and for simple literature lovers.

A trenchant investigation of an essential subject. Rarely have I encountered such a profound treatment of this highly intriguing subject. The book is a must for anyone interested in German-Russian literary relations.

Russian Symbolism seems to be a peculiar literary movement at first glance. But Russian Symbolists inherited very much from German romantics. I'm also a student of Russian Symbolism, especially of Ivanov's heritage, like the author. I was captivated by this book. This fascinating book has become for me a model of my research (especially the chapter 10 is splendid!): a "mirror" of what I think about Ivanov. An excellent book both for specialists and for simple literature lovers.

"The Sarmatians 600 BC - AD 450" by Richard Brzezinski and Mariusz Mielczarek is an excellent resource about Sarmatians. The book lives up to the typical Osprey "Men-at-Arms" series standards; it provides a brief overview, along with many photographs of paintings and sculptures, and contains color plates depicting various scenes. The book is great as it draws from many accounts of ancient texts that mention the Sarmatians.

The Sarmatians were a nomadic people that came out of Iran in ancient times. There were various groups of Sarmatians, such as the Alans, Iazyges, Roxolani, Siraces, and Aorsi. My interest in the Sarmatians stems from the 17th century Polish nobles belief that they were descended from the Sarmatians. They even made their armor look like what they thought Sarmatian armor was like. This book provided me with insight into this subject. This book brushes on this topic, but by no means focuses on it and is only a small fragment of the information contained within this book.

The authors state that for centuries it was believed that the Sarmatians were the ancestors of the Slavs, as they lived on the same land and as one appeared the other disappeared. Furthermore, the authors state:

"Linguists and archeologists have long dismissed this idea; but at the same time have turned up evidence of the seminal influence of the Sarmatians on Slav language, art and religion. Indeed, it is now accepted that the Sarmatians merged in with pre-Slavic populations. Both Serb and Croat seem to be Slavicised Alan tribal names. The myth of Sarmatian origins took a strong hold in Poland, where the Alans had a minor presence. (p.39)"

Dismissing this idea into the class of myth may be just a form of extreme skepticism. It seems contradictory that the idea is dismissed, yet evidence in support of it has grown. Perhaps, it just goes to show the ancient beliefs were accurate in some cases, and modern re-thinking only distorts us from the truth.

Personally, I found it interesting that swords with ring shaped pommels were popular among the Sarmatians from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD, as my family coat of arms has a sword with a ring shaped pommel.

This is a very good source of information as it gives you alot of detail without going into various documents or expensive books. The details on the pictures and weapons are excellent and that is why this is such a good book. A 5/5 for this one.

This book was the first Osprey book I ever bought, but has inspired me to come back for, so far, about seventy more. It is an excellent source on this oft-overlooked warrior people, giving a summary of the history of the various tribes (Aorsi, Alans, Rhoxolani, etc.) and then going on to examine tactics, armor, lancing gear, blades, archery equipment, and lassos. Their roles in the 3rd-5th Century Roman army, as well as their possible role in the myth of King Arthur is also examined. The book also briefly looks at the unique Kingdom of the Bosporan Cimmerians, a Crimean people who combined the military thought of the Romans, Greeks, Gauls, Scythians, and Sarmatians. This is an excellent source on some of Rome's most fearsome 'barbarians'!

Following a pair of disappointing titles from the late 70s that tinkered with the conceptual premise of the character and series, "The Scorpion Signal" not only stands as a return to form for Elleston Trevor's embittered agent Quiller, but works to further delve into the fears and motivations of its principle players. Trevor himself (writing as Adam Hall) brilliantly delivers a continually taut, believable plot that will keep readers genuinely interested. In a way, it has always been Quiller's fallibility and flaws that has kept the character believable, if not fascinating. Quiller remains tough, professional, and even funny sometimes, but is neither a superman nor a comic caricature. Never before has his fallibility been so prevalent and it is a credit to Trevor's abilities that this ninth entry seems as fresh as his earlier titles.

Story-wise, Quiller is called upon to work inside Soviet Moscow to investigate the abduction of one of his friends and fellow executive, Shapiro. This time around, the imposing atmosphere of having to work inside an enemy police state richly adds to the suspense. Likewise, among a cell of agents whom he has never worked with, Quiller is faced with being handed over to the KGB by a "Judas" and ends up being taken to the infamous Lubyanka prison for interrogation. In other words, the more superficial architecture of the story provides an environment that is uniquely ripe for suspense. As with the other Quiller books, the really intriguing aspect though is how Quiller introspectively reasons his way through one spot after another and how, in spite of his best rationale, circumstances often work against him. Quiller's ultimate encounter with the "Judas" who has betrayed him is an amazing highlight. Similar scenarios have been played out elsewhere, but few have offered such emotive details.

I offer a couple minor notes of criticism, however. First, there is a bit of an over-reliance on car crashes this time out and at least one is superfluous. Second, the character Ignatov straddles between deadly professional and innocent victim of blackmail. As always, the concept of blackmailing someone into committing crimes they have little stake in seems quite silly. These are, however, minor quibbles that are not worthy of detracting from this masterful work as a whole.

Probably the best (but certainly one of the best) in Hall's Quiller-series. It tackles a number of issues & just in the right proportion. We learn the most about Quiller, his personality, sense of honour from this book: the scene in Lyublyanka is quite enlightening. The agent who's ready to die for the Bureau, but kills for his sense of pride; and who wouldn't betray his word to his (ex)-friend not even to save his own life. The perfect mixture of adventure, plot and the tackling of existential questions.

I must declare an interest: This book is dedicated to me. It's the eighth of 19 brilliant escapades starring the lean and mean Quiller, about whom reviewers have observed, "the ultimate pro, cynical, hard and master of the double-think ... businesslike, low-keyed, nondescript."

An Englishman, Adam Hall - real name Elleston Trevor - died at his Arizona home in 1996, one day after completing "Quiller Balalaika", scandalously still not taken up by an American publisher. However, the In Memoriam tributes from writers and reviewers around the world set in motion reprints of all his earlier works, including those under his various noms-de-plume (many of which have been misleadingly rejacketed as Adam Hall titles, thus giving the impression of a post-humous cache of new Quillers).

"The Scorpion Signal" is Hall at his tense and entertaining best, opening with Q in foul mood with his employers and actually turning down the mission before the full gravity of the situation sinks in: A fellow agent - another top executive in the field - has been put through interrogation at Lubyanka, escaped, and been *re-captured*. And he knows everything about one of British intelligence's most valuable Moscow-based cells, enough to blow the agency sky high. Quiller's job: To get into the KGB fortress and out again with his target intact. Only Adam Hall could conceive such a suicidally improbable mission for his man and succeed so convincingly. Even with the change of political climate and the demise of that whole genre of cold war thrillers, the Quiller canon continue to crackle on the page for their sheet storytelling excitement and what one reviewer spotted as Hall's "scholar's way of relishing the finer points of his discipline for their own sake." One of the doyens of this trade is no longer with us but his hero lives on to keep new readers on the edge of their seats and to show newcomers how it's really done. If you don't know Q, start with the equally capable "Quiller Memorandum" and work up, and I envy you the pleasures in store.

Wow-Michael Krupa's story is utterly amazing in every detail! The fact that he survived a gunshot wound to his head by the evil NKVD, and lived to tell about it is nothing short of miraculous. The power of faith in the loving peasant, Christian couple who nurtured him back to health and helped him escape the clutches of the notorious and brutal Siberian Labor Camps during Stalin's reign of terror is incredible. This is one of those WWII memoirs that will stay with me for the rest of my life! I read it in one day it was so fascinating and absorbed every ounce of my attention. I feel that this book should be read by every student of WWII and those just interested in Siberian labor camps. A PERFECT memoir in every way!

This is truly an amazing story and what is more amazing is that Michael Krupa is now in his 91st year and going strong.
A book you have to read in one sitting, you cannot put it down.

Highly recommended story of personal struggle and survival!

What starts out as one Polish man's journey to find his calling in pre-war Poland, turns into a survival story of epic proportions when in 1939 the Germans and the Soviets invade.

Michael Krupa tells you his amazing and true story of life for a Polish soldier on the run in WWII. He escapes the Germans only to be captured by the Soviets and suspected as a German spy. This may have saved his life because if they knew he was a Polish solder he may have been sent directly to be executed in Katyn Forest along with 20,000 of his fellow soldiers who perished there.

Lubianka prison and the worst of Soviet torture was his destination. Somehow he survived was 'lucky' enough to eventually be sent to Siberia. It is from there that he manages an escape and trek all the way across the Soviet Union to Afghanistan and freedom. UNBELIEVABLE story - I could not put it down!

Shows the best of the Polish spirit to survive despite the worst circumstances. Also suggested reading - The Polish Spirit by Wladyslaw Wojcik - a story of Polish soldier who survives the camps in Siberia and is able to join the Polish 2nd Corp and fight under the British.

The authors were offered the opportunity to attend the initiation of a traditional Buryat shaman to the third level (there are nine in their tradition). The book talks about the trials and difficulties Volodya had until his elder shamans lead by Bayir Rinchinov determined why the initiation was failing. Many photos that were permitted by the group are included. Just an excellent look into authentic and traditional Siberian shamanism.

In an era of neo-Shamanism and cold-hearted anthropology, it is very nice to see an increase in books where the authors are both practitioners and scientists. Shanar is quite impressive. The ritual appears authentic, the photographs are remarkable, and the text is quite intriguing.

If you're the type who wants to have Shamanism presented in a non-threatening, non-cultural, easy-to-digest-as-a-Westerner, fluffy New Age way ... this isn't the book for you. This is a ride through a very important ritual and thru the Buryat culture. The average Western reader isn't going to understand everything on the first pass - and it isn't about perfection. Its about Human beings trying to connect with their ancestors and the Spirits of their world. Its a serious business.

Because the authors are well versed in Shamanims themselves they tend to treat the ritual with honor and respect.

This is not a how-to book of Shamanism, it is a chance to see the real thing in action. Five stars seems too few.

The collaborative effort of Virlana Tkacz, Sayan Zhambalov, and Wanda Phipps, and filled with a wealth of 175 gorgeous, full color photographs, Shanar: Dedication Ritual Of A Buryat Shaman In Siberia accurately depicts the dedication rituals, rites, and ceremony of a Buryat Shaman in Siberia. The informed and informative text describes all of the various aspects of the ceremony in wondrous, heartfelt, and painstaking detail, which combine to fully capture and present the this sacred rite with all respect and an appreciative humility. Shanar is a very highly recommended contribution to Comparative Religion and Anthropology reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Yesterday, 26 April, I wrote a review for you of this book under the above title, & I'm wondering if it is possible to add 2 words to the final sentence of that review. The final sentence said, "It breathes with life." What I'd like for it to say is, "It breathes with life and love." I hope it's possible to make this addition. Thanks!

First & most basically, this is a geography & history text, complete with dates, stats, maps, data, 329 footnotes & a 253-item biblio. But it is unlike any such book I've read. As the title says, it describes life on the land of central Siberia by focussing on the tiny village Djarkhan, representative of 250 such hamlets in the huge Republic of Sakha. Djarkhan is in "polar land," less than 300 miles south of the Arctic Circle (1200 miles north of Chicago!), with 8 or 9 months of what I can only call winter. How the people have managed to survive there since 1600, from pre-Czarist to post-Communist eras, is an enthralling, almost unbelievable, story. But the sub-text of the book tells another tale, of 3 Djarkhan natives -- a grandfather who was honored in distant Moscow as the Sakhala record-holder for hay cutting, a mother who was "the most famous plastic oral surgeon in Sakha," & a daughter who is the co-author of this book with her husband, a distinguished American geographer. Thus its 112 pages of text are enriched with 62 personal photographs, reminiscences by villagers & on-the-spot observations. It breathes with life.

I was lucky enough to have a chance to assist the authors in the manuscript typing for this book, getting to read it as I typed. Without any education in geography, this book was easy to understand, but educational at the same time. I have never enjoyed an academic book more than I enjoyed this one. The people and places in the book come to life as stories are told as only a native villager could tell them. A must read for anyone interested in cultural studies.