Cosmonautics: A Colorful History : History of Society-Russian Space Programs [Hardcover]

Wayne R. Matson (Editor)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Cosmos Books; Bk&3pstrs edition (April 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885609019
• ISBN-13: 978-1885609014
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,578,644 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Reference on the Soviet Space Program, July 20, 2011

By 

Old GAME - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cosmonautics: A Colorful History : History of Society-Russian Space Programs (Hardcover)

This book is a unique record of the Soviet space program. It covers the history of the whole program.

The pictures and graphics are a special treat for any space enthusiast. The are so many pictures you won't find anywhere else. There are full-page cut-away drawings of the spacecraft and space stations. A foldout of side-by-side drawings of the launch vehicles, backed by a photo showing the two N-1 moon rockets sitting on their launch pads. There is also a picture of the lunar lander that I didn't know existed.

This book is priced right. Mine isn't for sale, ever.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cosmonautics Book Review, October 28, 2009

By 

H. Roberts "electronics technician" (southern Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cosmonautics: A Colorful History : History of Society-Russian Space Programs (Hardcover)

I have owned a copy of this book for years and didn't realize that it had become this collectible or expensive until I started looking for a copy to give my brother-in-law. The cost doesn't surprise me though. I wouldn't sell my copy for any price -- and I mean that seriously; I would reject a $10,000 offer. It simply has what you can get no place else: a complete history of the Soviet space program, with abundant photographs, and excellent descriptive text. If you are fascinated by the American space program, then you are missing a whole other parallel world. Did you know the Soviets had their own space shuttle? It's in here, accompanied by abundant pictures and descriptions. From the barest beginnings to the mid 90's, the book appears to be very complete in every way, from pictures and articles about different cosmonauts, the Soviet rockets and space craft, as well as the people who made the Soviet space program a reality.

If the subject of space exploration fascinates you, then this book is a treasure beyond price -- literally. It is well written in English and opens the door to a world of which we have only seen limited glimpses. For me, it was like opening the door to another world and getting to learn about the Soviet space program in a complete and organized manner, instead of the bits and pieces that occasionally showed up in the western press. Make no mistake about it; this book was printed in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union and was put together from what appears to be official Soviet/Russian files and photographs.

If humankind's reaching out into space is a subject you love, then this is the Holy Grail of information about the Soviet/Russian space program.