"Fulcrum" tells the story of Alex Zuyev, a Soviet fighter pilot who flew his MiG-29 fighter across the Black Sea to Turkey in the spring of 1989. An experienced and gifted aviator, Zuyev was never enamored with communism long enough t become disillusioned with it. "Fulcrum" recounts Zuyev's childhood, joining the VVS, training for fighter pilot duty, and managing to miss Afghanistan (though he lobbied hard to go into a combat unit, his skills made him a natural choice for the first slot chosen to fly the advanced MiG-29). At every turn, Zuyev is beaten down by the rigors of living in the CCCP - mindless dogmatism dominate much of the citizenry, while corruption and cronyism typify life among the higher-levels. By 1985 and Gorbachev, the Soviet Union is terminal - with the economy in shambles and Afghnanistan bleeding the cream of the Russian military blind. Even Gorbachev's good intentions backfire (like an experiment in prohibition that only invigorates the black market for Vodka, and drives everybody else to kill themselves seeking more dangerous substances to feed the national tradition of alcoholism). Frustrated with the Soviet government, and fearing that he might be ordered to fly strike missions against civilian unrest, Zuyev decided it was time to get out. Though admitting he knew safer ways to escape the Soviet Union (he openly scoffed at the myth that the Soviet frontier is an impassible wall), Zuyev decides that his defection will be spectacular. Concocting an elaborate plan involving a cake spiked with sleeping pills, Zuyev plots to steal one of his squadron's MiG-29's, along with its advanced missiles. Nothing goes according to plan, but Zuyev manages to get his jet to freedom (only to see it handed back to the Russians, missiles and all once he is granted asylum in Turkey).

"Fulcrum" is both enlightening and disappointing. Certainly we've got a more inside look at the insides of Soviet life and the red military machine than we've had before, but the resulting story is one we've read about or heard about countless times - that life in the CCCP was a dispiriting grind between corruption and greed in the inner circles and robotic communism and deprivation everywhere else. Doubtless, the Soviets deserved their bad rap, but there's little point to writing a book that does more to feed our biases than informs them. Zuyev gives us an unparalleled look into the VVS, the branch of Soviet Military dedicated to long-range, offensive air operations (The Soviets had no single branch of the military for their Air Force, much as our AF was little more than a branch of the army until 1947). At that point, "Fulcrum" rules, surpassing "MiG Pilot", the true story of Viktor Belenko who flew to the west in the seventies. The novelty of concentrating on characters who otherwise exist as missile-fodder in Dale Brown novels is worth the price of the book. Unfortunately, book seldom focuses on dedicated red fliers and their cranky MiGs - frequently interrupted to more anecdotes about the nightmare of soviet life. Worse, when Zuyev does get back to being a fighter pilot, Zuyev never conveys what it's like to actually fly one of those amazing machines we call tactical aircraft. This is especially annoying because Zuyev's background provided an excellent method for fleshing out the experience of flying the MiG-29: his prior experience flying the older, faster but less agile MiG-23. Each plane is so distinct from the other, that each also provides a perfect counterpoint to the other. Zuyev manages to entirely skip the sensation of first flying the -23, his first combat aircraft (while the -23 was not new when Zuyev first completed flight training, his class was the first to skip the older MiG-21). Though stories of soviet life are necessary to frame the context of Zuyev's story, Zuyev turns that aspect of the story into the main story, one that overshadows even the wonder plane that becomes Zuyev's future. Instead the story of being a MiG pilot (the one I cracked open this book expecting to read) is painfully abbreviated. We don't even get a meaningful look into the flaws of the new jet (which had the directional instability common to contemporary aircraft of the west, but lacked the computer-augmented fly-by-wire controls standard in such aircraft; Zuyev mentions a flaw in the -29's early radar, but apparently one rectified earlier, since he never details it in his own plane; though gifted with supreme agility for a dogfighter, the MiG-29's small size meant it had painfully short range, while its pilots lacked the unobstructed visibility enjoyed by western pilots, and otherwise essential for dogfighting). Zuyev further muddies the book when taking another path entirely - detailing a list of now revealed Soviet secrets, including those dealing with the fate of American POWs, and Soviet decisionmaking in the 1983 KAL shootdown. While those subjects are important, the book places far too much importance on Zuyev's perspective merely because he is a Soviet, even though his personal proximity to those secrets is only slightly closer than that of the rest of us. (I doubt very many Americans would accept a similar account on the Iranian Airbus incident or the Stark incident merely because they came from US sailors who were otherwise nowhere near those incidents when they occurred).

In short, "Fulcrum" is two books - a very often excellent book on an underserved topic, but an even more frequently frustrating book that gets in the way of the more interesting story.

...This book taught me a lot about life. There were so many obstacles he had to overcome. I have always been amazed by the strength and endurance this man had.I never knew a person could endure such hardships and still be so unbelievably focused.When I get depressed and feel I'M having hard times I always think back to his story and feel ashamed of myself for thinking so selfishly. He was truly a sensitive and beautiful soul... This book shows the determined and powerful side of Alex, and his story is truly incredible. I honestly hope you will take the time to read the book. It will take you on a trip that you never though possible. The adreneline rush, the tears, the love, and most important, the incredible adventures of Alexander Zuyev...

I just saw an Associated Press news article telling of the death of Alexander Zuyev on June 10, 2001. He was only 40 years old. He and a friend died last Sunday when the Yakovlev 52 they were flying crashed in Washington state north of Seattle.

Read this book. It gives a fascinating description not only of growing up in the Soviet Union but of the difficulty of becoming a military pilot. It also gives a sickening picture of just how badly communism chewed up and destroyed its best people: Zuyev's own mother--whom he rescued--and some of his fellow pilots who weren't so lucky. His decision to defect was not made lightly or easily. The corruption and contradictions he saw were too much to take anymore. He had the courage to leave it all behind and take a chance with a nation he had been told so many lies about. The drugged cake was a stroke of genius.

Sadly, a plane crash has done what a sentry's bullet in the arm did not. This world is a poorer place. I never met him but I wish I had, if only to say "Thank you."

I have just read this book and sent General Singlaub the following letter.

Dear Jack, Under"Acknowledgements", you mention the "ill-fated John Saar background briefs", I believe Churchill would have referred to them as the beginning of your "finest hour". Without that encounter with John Saar, Washington Post reporter, our appreciation of you as the ultimate super military soldier would have never been revealed to the American people. You were magnificent and fearless. No one was able to intimidate you nor could they compel you to change your stance on the issues, not even the most powerful people in the land including, Jimmy Carter, the president of the United States. Your courage met all challenges with integrity and honor and truth even though you understood that your whole brilliant career was in the balance. You did not waver or waffle as other great warriors have done when faced with loss of pensions, future advancement, even death. Many came to their "moment of truth" and stumbled miserbly. Your action of heroic patriotismand dedication to duty can not be surpassed in the recorded annals of U.S.History. Holding firm to your beliefs and convictions, your dedication and patriotism took on heroic proportions and should, at the very least, lead to The Congressional Medal of Honor. "Hazardous Duty" should be required reading in every school and college in the land as well as in the world. Your reference in Part III to "No Parade" perfectly presents to the world why democracy really works and why totalitarian governments fail, i.e. Hilter, Mussolini, Stalin whose systems are motivated by fear with no fair representation.

I have read about two-thirds of this book and must stop to send copies to my friend and to my daughter. General Singlaub's experiences and insights show the pattern in all the seemingly unrelated events between WWII and Viet Nam (that's as far as I've gotten), events that affected us all. I have been angry, amazed, amused, impressed and proud as I've read this book. I agree with the other reviewer: this should be the text for a history class. General Singlaub's integrity and intelligence illuminate many issues that were hidden in the shadows.

"Fulcrum' which tells the story of the author's escape from the Soviet Air Force is both the best and most frustrating story I've read about the life of Soviet fighter pilots. In 1989, Alexander Zuyev, frustrated with Soviet life and fearing he might be ordered to fly strike missions against the emerging unrest, stole a MiG-29 fighter (NATO codenamed "fulcrum") and flew to west-aligned Turkey. Zuyev was an elite fighter pilot in every sense of the word - he had been selected to be among teh first to fly the early MiG-29's, this despite his requests for assignment to a combat unit in Afghanistan. Zuyev's decision to defect was not impulsive - the author's elaborate plans included drugging his squadronmates with a cake full of drugs bought slowly and in small quantities to avoid detection.

"Fulcrum" rules because it deals with MiG pilots (the expendable victims in technothrillers) in ways I'm unused to and makes some credible points that the Russians would have more than a numerical advantage against the west had the cold war turned hot. These are not the unimaginative and dogmatic bolshevik robots who populate technothrillers. It's also frustrating because its concentration on the the corruption and deprivation of soviet life both monopolize the book's attentions and provide little more insight into Sovit life then we'd get in any anti-communist screed. All the soviet double-talk will be familiar to anybody who's been reading technothirllers for years - likely the people reading this book.

Even those parts of "Fulcrum" dealing with the author's fighter-pilot exploits are weak because of their paucity of details that Zuyev is best positioned to relate: like the makings of a Red fighter pilot (a breed of warrior given little credit for initiative by the west) and his own maturation from a chubby kid into a disciplined and combat-hungry flier is perfunctory and unsatisfying. Also underdeveloped is the Fulcrum itself - the MiG-29; Zuyev actually began his career in the MiG-23, an interceptor fighter not maneuverable enough for dogfighting and eventually to spend much of its time dropping bombs in Afghanistan. A world apart from the Fulcrum, the -23 is nevertheless a powerful machine, and each plane offers a valuable tool as a comparison for the other. But Zuyev the fighter-pilot takes a back seat to Zuyev, the soviet commentator.

Instead of tales regaling us with his prowess as a fighter pilot - we have tales of the horror of soviet life and of Soviet military backwardness. The irradiated and polluted landscape of the soon-to-be ex-USSR is indispensable because of its historical context, but Zuyev confuses what should be background to the story with the story itself, and we're bombarded, not with missiles, but of generals supplementing their meager incomes smuggling and using connections. He starts into his "the real life in the Soviet Union" story early on, and boy does it get repetitive. Getting further off-topic are Zuyev's revelations about various soviet mysteries now revealed by the end of the cold war - the fate of American servicemen taken prisoner in Vietnam, Korea and other cold-war theatres and the truth behind the KAL-007 shootdown. The book pushes this information as a revelation, even though none of it is substantiated. Not that he's intentionally misleading or that his version of the events culminating in the -007 shootdown are even false: they're just stories he's heard second hand, and he's in no posiiton to verify them. Zuyev wasn't the pilot who shot down the plane or even on duty anywhere near the incident. It would be generous to say that Zuyev heard the story 2nd or even 3rd hand - there's just no way to tell. Zuyev's account - that Red AF generals ordered the attack because they had failed to repair the equipment that would have verified the Korean jet's non-military mission - is credible, but it's the kind of credibility that breeds stories. Stuck for possible explanation that eliminates cold-blooded murder for the more believable criminally negligent homicide, somebody could have thought up the same story - just ask anybody who's ever watched the X-Files or Oliver Stone's "JFK". Zuyev is simply one more person who can't confirm or support a story he hasn't witnessed himself. Just imagine what would happen if some left-wing types tried to explain the shootdown of the Iranian Airbus based on similar circumstances supported by a story the authors got from a sailor who heard it all from a radar operator named "Eddie". Nobody would believe it for a minute.

Unfortunately, this detached perspective dominates the book - everybody is lazy, an "apparatchik", corrupt but - any way you slice it - already a traitor to those noble ideas of Marx. In the end, those who refused to leave the USSR may be it's biggest defectors.

I lived in Russia for most of this decade (1990s). While there I borrowed "Fulcrum" from a friend. It was exciting reading, especially while living in Russia. I found that the book accurately reflected the life I was experiencing everyday in Russia (a lot didn't change--even after the fall of the USSR.) This book is an absolute MUST reading for anyone who really wants to get behind the scenes and understand how life really works in the former Soviet Union. It is a pity that this book is no longer available and I seriously wonder if the KGB had something to do with it going out of print, as it is one of the most accurate books I have ever read. I hope that sometime soon this book can again be available and widely circulated.

I had a chance to hear Alexander speak to a full house at EAA Convention 1994. His account of how he could no longer support a government who spent most tax dollars on war machinery while the population stood in line for essentials of life was most revealing. The things we learned about the MIG training from him later as a consultant to the Pentagon enabled our military to develop maneuvers in combat with Soviet Aircraft.

An excellent read. This is the life story of one of the Greatest marine geologists and explorers of our time. From top secret navy submarines to luxurious ocean liners to deep sea marine life this man has seen it all, this book helps to explain what wasn't in the other great books he has written, it is a personal account of everything he went through to get where he is now. It was one of the best books I have ever read and a must have for all fans.

My Secret Life in the CIA by, Antonio Mendez, shows the truth of the CIA from a man who lived it. Put away all of your spy books such as James Bond, and read what the intelligence world is truly like. This top-level operative tells how he helped people escape deadly situations in East Asia, the Cold War, and Tehran.

I love spy stories and this one is the best I have ever read because I now know the truth. Mendez, at a younger age, thought of himself as an artist and a competent spy. When he got older he applied for a job in the Central Intelligence Agency, Technical Services Division. A few weeks later he recieved a letter telling him to report to CIA Headquarters. Everyone he met along the way didn't seem like the kind of person you would think to work in the CIA. A quote by Sun Tzu that is used in the book says, "Spies must recruit men who are intelligent but appear stupid; who seem dull but are strong in heart." These are the sort of things you learn from a man who lived the truth of the CIA.

Many spy books I have read seemed to be very intersting. When reading them I always wondered, is any of this true? After reading this book I don't have to ask that question any longer. The real James Bond of the intelligence world was granted permission to tell his story. He is one of the fifty all-time stars of the spy trade and that is what is fascinating.

For the first time the CIA has let a top-level operative tell all and it is a story everyone should read. This book shows fatal situations and how Mendez worked throught them. The story is true and that is what makes it intersting. If you want to know the truth about the CIA, I suggest you read about the master of disguise, Antonio J. Mendez

The book is well written making it a quick and interesting read. Tony details behind the scene facts that have never been exposed before. He provides an insight into the spy world that ended the cold war. I have read several books on the CIA and this is by far the best one I have read.

Mr. Mendez has shared with his readers a very real sense of what it was to be inside the CIA, and then inside some of their most exciting (and up to this point) secret operations. It is interesting that the CIA has allowed these stories to be told now, but in fact, after reading them, it is apparent that the intelligence equities are not affected. In each case the or foreign source has been safely rescued and resettled or the case has been finalized, once with the ultimate sacrifice on the part of the asset. I was thoroughly caught up in these tales of rescue and escapes from danger. It is amazing that these true stories are even more exciting than the Clancey books. His first book is a definite must read and will be on my Christmas gift list for several of my friends.

Lt. Osborn describes his experience when his navy reconnaissance plane is struck by a Chinese fighter aircraft forcing Osborn to land his crippled plane in China. For eleven days the world watched as the Chinese asked the U.S. for an apology. This is the story from Lt. Osborn's view as he describes those eleven days in Chinese "captivity" with his crew of 23 officers and airmen. It's a fascinating story of the making of a naval aviator who is ultimately awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his courage and leadership during the ordeal. This is a story about the people who usually don't get a lot of publicity which makes you realize there is more to naval aviation than fighter pilots and aircraft carriers. In the end it's a timely story of standing up to adversity with honor, character and courage. Highly recommended.

This book is an inspiring true story of how a Navy pilot and his crew safely landed a crippled plane after a mid-air collision with a Chinese fighter jet and the 11 days of captivity they endured together. The true meaning of honor, courage, strength and a bond between the mission commander and his crew that was unbreakable under pressure; is shown throughout the book. Easy to read and not loaded down with military jargon that no one understands. Highly recommended for those interested in a story that shows the best in the military when under pressure. True Americans!

I found this to be an extremely readable book. As a former Naval Aviator myself, I thought the description of life on board the aircraft was particularly good, especially in light of the fact that a lot of people who do not understand the environment would be reading this book.

Some people will be put off by the heavy emphasis on his personal experience but must realise that he was not with his crew a large portion of the time.

His description of conditions during the crew's captivity are well done without being either condescending or accusatory. Sometimes the writing is as if you were viewing this as a movie.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in current events.

Aldring give us his insides in the Apollo 11 mission. His personal toughs about the Space Program the feelings of been one of the firsts to walk on the Moon. This is a must reed for any enthusiast of the Apollo Program.. You can relive the Gemini 12 space walk and the trill of the trying for the historic Apollo 11 mission

The author of this book went to the the moon but unfortunately the book still lurches in Earth orbit. Yes, the book is hard to get and my grateful thanks to Amazon for getting me a copy. Despite the splendor of the subject matter the book was a tough read. Too dry, too technical, too lost in words. Where was the personal touch? Where was Aldrin's inspiring rehabilitation from alcholism, the personal difficulties, the controversy over who would walk first on the moon. The latter makes it in print, but only just, and one can't quite help but feel with much selective editing. For real space buffs only.

This book is almost as good as Buzz's first book--Return To Earth from early 70's. Dr. Aldrin at least takes his time and makes the effort to share the Apollo 11 experience with us and also what was happening [space related] in America and in RUSSIA during Cold War/ Space race era, and compares the two " superpowers'" and what was happening at both places at same time intervals in the 60's. Much research and time spent in book

This book is a false report on what went on in Panama. The author's obvious reverence to the men in green obviously indicates his ignorance of the murder that occured during the invasion.

As a veteran of Operation Just Cause (4/325 Parachute Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne) I found the detail of the planning and execution fascinating. McConnell did an excellent job of providing the right amount of technical information while still telling the personal stories behind this very successful operation. I found the parts of the operation in which I was involved to be accurately portrayed. I felt the only part that was missing was the sheer excitement from the Panamanian people being delivered from Noriega's dictatorial rule. On Christmas Day, the Panamanian people in the neighboorhood we were patrolling delivered Christmas dinner to our company and each citizen stopped to thank us for our help. This is an excellent account and a well written book!

This book must be in the arsenals of every warrior in the U.S. military today, for it describes better than any other book how to fight a modern battle correctly. Operation Just Cause was a triumph that resulted in Panamania dictator Manuel Noriega being captured and the PDF disarmed with as minimum as blood shed possible. the secret was to use fast-moving Airborne not slow-moving seaborne forces to simultaneously converge on the enemy's centers of gravity and collapse them with light tracked armored fighting vehicles like the superb M551 Sheridan light tank (parachute airdropped and airlanded by USAF fixed-wing aircraft) and M113 APC could give shielded infantry with firepower superiority at the point of contact. This is why we had such few casualties compared to the October 3, 1993 raid in Somalia described so eloquently in Blackhawk Down! Compare the two battles. If we had wanted to capture Aidid like we did Noriega we should have had light AFVs supporting our 3-D maneuver inserted infantry.

Malcolm McConnell's book is so full of important details like how Army AH-64 Apache helicopters fly in ahead and destroyed Panamania anti-aircraft guns for the Rangers to parachute jump at 500 feet lightly opposed. How the 3/73d BN of the 82d Airborne took its M551 Sheridan light tanks from the drop zone and clandestine locations to take down the enemy's main center of gravity--La Comandancia by storm. He also doesn't shy away from the woes the SEALs had at Punta Paitilla airport where they were caught unshielded by enemy fire.

McConnell's book is THE STANDARD which all other books on Just Cause will be judged---let us hope Hollywood picks up this book and uses it as a basis for an accurate movie depiction.

Airborne!

As an Army Intel Officer, I hoped to learn something about my chosen profession from an officer who was at the peak of the Intel world. Instead I found myself skimming ever forward to find something new. Given the 5 pages of explanations of Army terms at the back of the book it should have been no surprise that General Kennedy wrote to a general audience, not a military one. I think she missed the mark. Most of her "management" lessons have been given elsewhere and better. Most of her military leadership lessons have been too. Her stories of her early days and the transition from WAC to regular army were good and I wish she had continued. She could have related her views on the change from the Army Security Agency (ASA) to the current INSCOM as someone who was part of ASA and then Commanded INSCOM. Where were the stories of the growth and then near death of tactical SIGINT? I had hoped for a book about an Intelligence professional, and Army Officer and a Female soldier. Instead General Kennedy wrote the reverse emphasis with far more about being a female than an intelligence professional. I was also disappointed that General Kennedy glossed over so many difficulties. She speaks of the "myth" of female soldiers getting pregnant to avoid deployment yet one check of the medical stats at Ft Hood during Desert Storm would dispel the thought that it is a myth. Why not show that just as many male soldiers suffered sudden lower back problems or other ailments that made them non-deployable too. Avoiding deployment is equal opportunity but pregnancy is not so why pretend it doesnt happen? She also missed the opportunity to take to task women like Lt. Kelly Flinn and the Army officer who insisted on breast-feeding at work. Her silence gives the impression of support. Maybe the money she earned from this book (I did my part) will give General Kennedy the opportunity to write another book. Get a better editor if you do General!

Generally Speaking is a book worth reading and should be read by every American. Claudia J. Kennedy devoted her adult life to the service of her country. The United States Army was her home. Her choices benefitted her career and her country. Generally Speaking leads you through the process. It is fascinating to read about a single woman rising through the ranks of the military successfully and yes, gracefully.

I highly recommend this book for people who want to understand the perceptions of powerful, influential feminist elites, and how we might have gotten to where we are today--female soldiers coming home from war in body bags.