Baikonur: Vestiges of the Soviet Space Programme (Jonglez Photo Books) (Jonglez Photographic Journeys)

The book is very nicely produced, a strong hardback with excellent print quality. Probably also worth emphasising that the text is in English!The photos of the ruins are just spectacular, I have never understood why the Russian people don't take more care of the remains of their great achievements in space. The serious student will be pleased to know that the specifics are carefully described, for example exactly which Buran orbiter is in the photos.It's not just Buran and Energia-M in the photos, many of the support systems and facilities are also recorded here.But Buran is the star of the show, and if you have any interest in the Soviet Shuttle, this is an essential purchase.

Bittersweet experience. This is not a negative statement by the way!I visited the Baikonour cosmodrome last year with work. Photos were, officially, a no-no. This book fills many gaps. I was allowed to look into the hangar at the Buran but not enter by my minder due to safety reasons.The author has captured the crumbling state of the site as a whole so knowing the history of what occurred there and the fading history it feeds my feelings of bittersweet well.On the same trip I visited Vostochnny. The new gem in the Russian space launching crown. Brand new and gleaming. The contrasts were startling.

I have nothing but praise for this book. In the fullness of time (and without Russia creating a museum for these two orbiters and Energia booster), this book may be all that exists of this important chapter in manned space flight.Beautifully presented with top class photography - anybody interested in Buran, Ptchika and Baikal has to own this book. Well done and congratulations to the authors.

exceptional document

This coffee table book is a perfect choice for anyone who is interested in the Soviet era, space travel and who loves great and evocative photography. I know little about space aspect but short chapters offer a readable introduction to the Soviet / USA space race (Apollo v Sputnik).Jonk has to get himself to Kyzylorda (or Qyzylorda on the map), which is south east of the Cosmodrome and where he joins three others (whom he calls his accomplices). Accessing the (for the most part) derelict site – stretching across 7000 square kilometres – is of course illegal, thus their first mission was to find a taxi driver who would be will to drop them off, and then return in a couple of days to pick them up again at an appointed time and place.Once dropped, they had to dodge the sporadic guard patrols and get to work on their individual projects.Jonk and Jonglez Publishing have brought together a spectacular record of images – concrete, metal and broken glass that tests to a once major and industrious site. There is still plenty of space hardware – large rocket launchers and even documents relating to launches, marked with the hammer and sickle – but somehow the peeling paint and the rusting ironware are equally as engaging. There is something quite mesmerising about seeing edifices that once were scenes of immense activity relegated to creaking skeletons – providing a different experience than in their heyday.I can truly understand the pleasure of urbexing and now that so many places are off limits, this is a great way to explore through the lens of gifted photographer.And if you fancy trekking out to Kyzylorda, then you can find The 10 Best Things to do in Kyzylorda on TripAdvisor (who knows!)