The Making of a Soviet Scientist: My Adventures in Nuclear Fusion and Space From Stalin to Star Wars [Paperback]

Roald Z. Sagdeev (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471129291 | ISBN-13: 978-0471129295 | Publication Date: September 1, 1995 | Edition: 1

The critically acclaimed memoir that rips the curtain of secrecy off the world of Soviet science

"Revelations and insights about the Soviet space program . . . It is good that such a wise man will live among us for a while." --The New York Times

"A rare, valuable, insider's look at the Soviet military industrial machine."--Publishers Weekly

"I found it fascinating . . . important not only to scientists, but also for those who fashion government politics generally."--Herman Feshbach Institute Professor Emeritus Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"A real contribution to the literature of the space age."--Chicago Sun-Times

"This is a powerful yet charming account of the Soviet Union's scientific, space, and military enterprise, characterized by Sagdeev's frank and insightful style mixed with delightful humor and humanity."--Charles H. Townes Nobel Laureate in Physics University of California, Berkeley

"For all who are interested in the interaction of science and society, and in the nature of the Soviet Union as seen by a keen observer who was at the same time an 'insider' and a dedicated humanist, this book is highly recommended." --Physics Today

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Sagdeev, a physicist who directed the former Soviet Union's Space Research Institute from 1973 to 1990, played a crucial role in restraining a Soviet counteroffensive to the U.S. "Star Wars" program, thereby helping to forestall an acceleration of the nuclear arms race in space. This modest, anecdotal memoir provides a rare, valuable insider's look at the Soviet military-industrial machine. Working on the U.S.S.R.'s abortive controlled-fusion program in the 1950s, Sagdeev witnessed Stalin's destructive interference with the scientific community. Providing close-ups of Brezhnev, Gorbachev and physicist/dissident Andrei Sakharov, his narrative shows how space projects of real scientific value were hobbled while top priority was given to costly, prestige-oriented feats meant to rival those of NASA. Sagdeev is now a physics professor at the University of Maryland; his wife, Susan Eisenhower, the book's editor, is Ike's granddaughter, adding a twist to this Cold War account.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

World-class scientist Sagdeev, currently distinguished professor of physics and director of the East-West Center for Space Science at the University of Maryland, has written an autobiography of his professional career. (The work has been edited by his wife, the granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.) While the reader learns little of his personal life, this account offers great insight into the politics of Soviet science and the impact of the Cold War in shaping scientific research-East and West. As director of the Space Research Institute for the Soviet Union, Sagdeev practiced perestroika before the term came into usage; he eventually served as summit adviser to Mikhail Gorbachev and his science adviser. With its clear and easy-to-read style, absence of technical jargon, and wit and charm-even the footnotes are enjoyable-this book is highly recommended.
Elizabeth Fielder Olson, Archer & Greiner, Haddonfield, N.J.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 339 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471129291
• ISBN-13: 978-0471129295
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,509 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Solid-State Physics

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Science at the other side of the iron curtain., May 5, 1998

By 

Angel Alvarez-Cedrón - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Making of a Soviet Scientist: My Adventures in Nuclear Fusion and Space From Stalin to Star Wars (Paperback)

We are used to read about science in Europe or America, but this book refers to the knowledge of science in Rusia. How it affects to the politics and how the policts involve in science matters. Very easy to read. It goes from the beginning of the century to the Star War. Personal anectotes of the author with famous russian physicists.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How Science Works in Totatitarian Society, August 14, 2007

By 

Mark Grechanik "Dr. Grechanik" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Making of a Soviet Scientist: My Adventures in Nuclear Fusion and Space From Stalin to Star Wars (Hardcover)

I recommend this book get a sample of what science is like in a totalitarian society. I grew up in the USSR, and I visited IKI in the middle of 1980s as a lead engineer from a lab that developed waveguide systems for IKI. Everything was secret and KGB guards were everywhere, but we were able to carry out documents and materials for waveguide systems in our pockets. Sagdeev's account of events is quite interesting since he can tell how things were in the USSR without being afraid for his life and well-being any more. I wish he talked more about the scientific side rather than politics.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The autobiography of one of the finest people on the planet., December 30, 1995

By A Customer

This review is from: The Making of a Soviet Scientist: My Adventures in Nuclear Fusion and Space From Stalin to Star Wars (Hardcover)

Now that the madness of Star Wars *seems* be to behind us, check out this book. If you thought Regan and E.T. were nuts, wait til you read about the opposition. History is gracious-she provides sane leaders at insane moments. Just about everyone on the planet owes this gentleman big time. He writes beautifully. The history of Eastern bloc physics is not well known in the west-this book is the perfect place to start. One of the sanest, most decent men on the planet.