Stepan Anastasovich Mikoyan: Memoirs

[Semaphore Sam]

Son of Anastas, nephew of Artiem (the 'M' of Mig,). .autobiography of a giant of post-war test-flight in the Soviet Union. His insights into the development of the YAK, Mig, and other post-war aircraft is invaluable. Having read many other political descriptions of '20's, 30's, 40's, 50's and onward of the political life of the Soviet elite, Mr. Mikoyan's account rings true. Even more accurate is his brutally honest (many personal mistakes acknowledged, and we in aviation know how difficult this honesty really is) account of the development of Soviet fighters (his specialty) and other aircraft, from the '40's til 1978. I am interested both in the politics, and the aviation. This book is a must for either interest! Obviously ghosted & vetted with western values, it still has that sense of open-hearted honesty and intelligence of the true Russian Spirit. Russian Right Stuff!