I Am A Hawk; Memoirs of Atomic Energy Minister Mikhaylov

Durham, United Kingdom: The Pentland Press, 1996. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Hardcover. Very good/Very good. xii, 195, [1] pages. Illustrations. Preface, six chapters, and six selections from Published Works. Inscribed and dated by author in Russian on fep, Viktor Nikitovich Mikhaylov was born on 12 February 1934 in the rural community of Sopronovo in Moscow Oblast. He graduated from the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute and worked in the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Physics and then in the Scientific Research Institute of Impulse Engineering. In March 1992 he became the head of the Russian Federation Ministry of Atomic Energy. Since December 1992 he has been in charge of scientific operations at the Russian Federal Nuclear Center--the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Physics (VNIIEF). He is a doctor of technical sciences, a professor, the author of more than 260 scientific works, a recipient of the Lenin and State prizes, and the founder of the scientific school of the physics of explosive nuclear fission and penetrating radiation single-pulse diagnostics. From 1969 to 1988 Mikhaylov directed the research institute on nuclear impulse technology. He personally oversaw more than 100 nuclear experiments during his directorship. In 1992, Mikhaylov was selected to head the newly formed Ministry of Atomic Energy, or MinAtom. Under his tenure Russia maintained its nuclear infrastructure and saw an increase in international cooperation on atomic energy. From 1999 Mikhaylov led the Institute of Strategic Stability, and from 1992 to 2007 was chairman of RosAtom's consulting division and manager of the Federal center for Nuclear Research. The author tells the story of his life and elucidates the problems connected with the development and testing of nuclear weapons. While he is a convinced supporter of general and complete disarmament, he at the same time emphasizes that, at this stage, stable peace on earth can be guaranteed only by nuclear parity, and warns of the possibly tragic consequences of unilateral disarmament by our country. Photographs from his family archives are used in the book. The Russian Federation Ministry of Atomic Energy was created by an edict of the president of the Russian Federation of 28 January 1992. Viktor Nikitovich Mikhaylov became the first minister of atomic energy. The newspapers printed the edict and a brief biography of one of our domestic "hawks," known only as Professor "M" up to that time. V.N. Mikhaylov is more than a scientist and statesman. In his book, he is primarily a citizen, who is disturbed by his contemporaries' misinterpretation of such concepts as the Motherland and its independence and security. The main idea or focal point of his public statements and of the whole book in general is the idea of the inadmissibility of unilateral moves by Russia in the sphere of nuclear disarmament and the unilateral cessation of nuclear tests. The author makes a passionate appeal to the reason of the Russian people by reminding us of the frightening lesson history taught us at the time of the monopoly on nuclear weapons in 1945-1949. Every part of this book reflects his conviction that unilateral nuclear disarmament could have disastrous implications for our country, that this would lead us down a dark road on which it would be difficult to guess how many steps--ten or one--separate us from the edge of the precipice. Viktor Nikitovich presents logical, conclusive, and persuasive arguments, and we sincerely hope that his words and his ideas will evoke a response in the minds and hearts of the readers and convince them that each state is only as strong as its defensive capabilities. Reviewers believe that the book will be of considerable interest to researchers of the new Russia's nuclear doctrine, which was elaborated with the direct participation of the author, and to the general reading public in any country, because it will introduce readers not only to the "chief armorer" of a nuclear power, but also to a brilliant representative of the Russian people--a vital, optimistic, and somewhat romantic individual.