The Path to Success
Yuri Gagarin, the first cosmonaut, wrote his memoir Road to the Stars in 1961 right after his first space journey where he was the first man to circle the perimeter of the earth in a manned spacecraft. The value of the book Road to the Stars is monumental because it is a living testimony of the first man who went where no one had been before. However, in the memoir Gagarin says little about himself. Instead he shares more about those who grew up with him: his family, his classmates, his friends at the Saratov Industrial Technical School, his colleagues at the Orenburg Flying School, his life in a military school of aviation regiment; and, finally, his comrades who prepared his space flight. In his memoir, Gagarin also relates details tell about the group of people who have played a significant role in his space journey. In the book Road to the Stars, Gagarin described his life in ideal terms, because he knew that his biography would paint a picture about his country for all of his readers. Since he was a staunch patriot and was proud of his homeland, he wanted to represent the USSR only in positive light. That is why he wrote to show the prestige of USSR in order to prove the power of the Communist Party and to make the Soviet people proud of their country. Gagarin describes how this achievement instantly changed the opinion of the whole world about the USSR. However, his work could also be perceived as a part of Soviet propaganda.
In the memoir, Gagarin writes how the first human space flight immediately proved the prestige of the Soviet Union on the world stage. Through his memoir, he chronicles the competition between two powerful countries: the USA and the USSR. His historical flight was supposed to show which country would win the battle for space and political power. Both countries were endowed with their own advantages. However, before the first human journey on the public stage, many countries recognized the USA as the most powerful country in the world. That is why the Soviet’s aim was to bring more attention to the Soviet Union, to show the world that the Soviet people were strong enough to be competitive, despite the fact that in those years Soviet Union was in “crisis” after the ravage of WWII. The fact that the Soviet people were the first to send a man into space shattered the reputation image of the United States as the world leader in science, technology and the military field. In the book Road to the Stars Gagarin illustrates how his success brought the country great prestige. Furthermore, Gagarin wrote how after his achievement the USSR started to develop in diverse ways – relationship between countries, economics, science, the space industry and the technology industry. He became one of the most popular people in the world. Gagarin wrote how after his flight he started to get many invitations to speak in various countries. Everyone had a desire to see Gagarin live and ask in detail about his tremendous adventure.
Extraordinary achievement of the Soviet Union showed mankind the power of the Communist Party. Gagarin shared how the competition between political parties defined the 1950’s and 1960’s for both countries. The whole world tried to find one political party that worked for everybody. By the launch of the first human to space, the USSR wanted to prove which political system was the best and by that influenced people from around the world to begin to think favorably about the Communist Party. Even before the launch Gagarin pronounced these words that predicted the future, “I want to dedicate this first space flight to the people of communism, of the society which our Soviet people are building and which, I am sure, all the people of the world will build” (148). He believed his words came true. Millions of people around the world were intrigued by Soviet scientists, engineers, technicians and workers who put their minds and hearts towards the creation of the miracle ship, "Vostok", and its amazing flight. When people from all over the world knew about the first flight of Gagarin, they began to believe in the power of science and the socialist state. Thus many began to actively explore and support their own communist movement. As described in the article Soviets Still High on Yuri Gagarin, First Man in Space, Gagarin was served as a symbol of the great progress under the Communist party.
Gagarin's feat had a huge impact on the Soviet people allowing them to admire and be proud of their country in a new way. People who have read Gagarin’s book would probably note that this book was written for Russian people by the Soviet propaganda movement. Gagarin confirmed this idea by these words, “Our airmen fly faster, higher and farther than anybody else. Our scientists develop spaceships, and storm the North and South Poles of the earth. It is they, our young patriots, who in the parching heat of summer and the winter snowstorms are heroically cultivating the virgin and disused land” (197). Through this memoir Gagarin wanted to awaken a sense of patriotism among the Soviets. In his book he introduced the USSR as the best and the most powerful country ever. That was actually an arguable fact. People around the world did not really know a lot about USSR. Foreign countries only knew limited information due to the secrecy of the USSR. According to The Sincere Deceiver: Yuri Gagarin and the Search for a Higher Truth, the Soviet Union used Gagarin as the patriotic symbol. The state made people keep everything a secret. So people had to take the position of silence. The state gave people only information that they had to know. This is an example of how the Soviet system wanted to unite Soviet people through conspiracy. Moreover, they involved Gagarin in the propaganda of the Soviet campaign. Thus, the first cosmonaut was forced to obey people who were more powerful than him. They obliged him to lie because of state secrets. That was actually hard for Gagarin, because in this situation he had to be the sincere deceiver ("The Sincere Deceiver: Yuri Gagarin and the Search for a Higher Truth"). The reason why he had to keep everything a secret was because the USSR did not want Soviets to know about the state’s failures. They made Gagarin report just good news about his homeland. He had no choice.
The book Road to the Stars played a significant role in the lives of many Soviets. This work was consequential because it challenges others to strive for what might be considered impossible. In this memoir Gagarin described in detail the long and hard way of achieving his dream. Through his book he teaches about the 1960’s and how an individual can work to make a great impact despite challenges and competitive pressures. In spite of the influence of propaganda, Gagarin was someone that we could admire. Lastly, he establishes a persuasive tone for both the Soviets and the nations beyond. Gagarin’s purpose was to call the Soviet people to pay more attention to the USSR and the Communist Party in order to illustrate the advantages of their homeland and to make them proud of their country.
In the memoir, Gagarin writes how the first human space flight immediately proved the prestige of the Soviet Union on the world stage. Through his memoir, he chronicles the competition between two powerful countries: the USA and the USSR. His historical flight was supposed to show which country would win the battle for space and political power. Both countries were endowed with their own advantages. However, before the first human journey on the public stage, many countries recognized the USA as the most powerful country in the world. That is why the Soviet’s aim was to bring more attention to the Soviet Union, to show the world that the Soviet people were strong enough to be competitive, despite the fact that in those years Soviet Union was in “crisis” after the ravage of WWII. The fact that the Soviet people were the first to send a man into space shattered the reputation image of the United States as the world leader in science, technology and the military field. In the book Road to the Stars Gagarin illustrates how his success brought the country great prestige. Furthermore, Gagarin wrote how after his achievement the USSR started to develop in diverse ways – relationship between countries, economics, science, the space industry and the technology industry. He became one of the most popular people in the world. Gagarin wrote how after his flight he started to get many invitations to speak in various countries. Everyone had a desire to see Gagarin live and ask in detail about his tremendous adventure.
Extraordinary achievement of the Soviet Union showed mankind the power of the Communist Party. Gagarin shared how the competition between political parties defined the 1950’s and 1960’s for both countries. The whole world tried to find one political party that worked for everybody. By the launch of the first human to space, the USSR wanted to prove which political system was the best and by that influenced people from around the world to begin to think favorably about the Communist Party. Even before the launch Gagarin pronounced these words that predicted the future, “I want to dedicate this first space flight to the people of communism, of the society which our Soviet people are building and which, I am sure, all the people of the world will build” (148). He believed his words came true. Millions of people around the world were intrigued by Soviet scientists, engineers, technicians and workers who put their minds and hearts towards the creation of the miracle ship, "Vostok", and its amazing flight. When people from all over the world knew about the first flight of Gagarin, they began to believe in the power of science and the socialist state. Thus many began to actively explore and support their own communist movement. As described in the article Soviets Still High on Yuri Gagarin, First Man in Space, Gagarin was served as a symbol of the great progress under the Communist party.
Gagarin's feat had a huge impact on the Soviet people allowing them to admire and be proud of their country in a new way. People who have read Gagarin’s book would probably note that this book was written for Russian people by the Soviet propaganda movement. Gagarin confirmed this idea by these words, “Our airmen fly faster, higher and farther than anybody else. Our scientists develop spaceships, and storm the North and South Poles of the earth. It is they, our young patriots, who in the parching heat of summer and the winter snowstorms are heroically cultivating the virgin and disused land” (197). Through this memoir Gagarin wanted to awaken a sense of patriotism among the Soviets. In his book he introduced the USSR as the best and the most powerful country ever. That was actually an arguable fact. People around the world did not really know a lot about USSR. Foreign countries only knew limited information due to the secrecy of the USSR. According to The Sincere Deceiver: Yuri Gagarin and the Search for a Higher Truth, the Soviet Union used Gagarin as the patriotic symbol. The state made people keep everything a secret. So people had to take the position of silence. The state gave people only information that they had to know. This is an example of how the Soviet system wanted to unite Soviet people through conspiracy. Moreover, they involved Gagarin in the propaganda of the Soviet campaign. Thus, the first cosmonaut was forced to obey people who were more powerful than him. They obliged him to lie because of state secrets. That was actually hard for Gagarin, because in this situation he had to be the sincere deceiver ("The Sincere Deceiver: Yuri Gagarin and the Search for a Higher Truth"). The reason why he had to keep everything a secret was because the USSR did not want Soviets to know about the state’s failures. They made Gagarin report just good news about his homeland. He had no choice.
The book Road to the Stars played a significant role in the lives of many Soviets. This work was consequential because it challenges others to strive for what might be considered impossible. In this memoir Gagarin described in detail the long and hard way of achieving his dream. Through his book he teaches about the 1960’s and how an individual can work to make a great impact despite challenges and competitive pressures. In spite of the influence of propaganda, Gagarin was someone that we could admire. Lastly, he establishes a persuasive tone for both the Soviets and the nations beyond. Gagarin’s purpose was to call the Soviet people to pay more attention to the USSR and the Communist Party in order to illustrate the advantages of their homeland and to make them proud of their country.
Bibliography
Primary Source
Gagarin,Yuri. “Road to the Stars.” Told to Nikolay Denisov and Serhy Borzenko. Ed. N. Kamanin. Trans. G. Hanna and D. Myshnei. Moscow: Foreign Languages Publishing House, 1962. Print.
Secondary Sources
Jenks, Andrew. "The Sincere Deceiver: Yuri Gagarin and the Search for a Higher Truth." In Into the Cosmos: Space Exploration and Soviet Culture, edited by James Andrews and Asif Siddiqi, 107-132. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2011.
Redden, Jack. “Soviets Still High on Yuri Gagarin, First Man in Space.” Los Angeles Times (1986): page 4
Gagarin,Yuri. “Road to the Stars.” Told to Nikolay Denisov and Serhy Borzenko. Ed. N. Kamanin. Trans. G. Hanna and D. Myshnei. Moscow: Foreign Languages Publishing House, 1962. Print.
Secondary Sources
Jenks, Andrew. "The Sincere Deceiver: Yuri Gagarin and the Search for a Higher Truth." In Into the Cosmos: Space Exploration and Soviet Culture, edited by James Andrews and Asif Siddiqi, 107-132. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2011.
Redden, Jack. “Soviets Still High on Yuri Gagarin, First Man in Space.” Los Angeles Times (1986): page 4
Primary Source
Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin is the author of book “Road to the stars.” It is a biography and memoir. Gagarin wrote about his life and described his first flight into space. In this book he shares with us how this achievement was important for him and his country. This memoir was produced in order to show the prestige of the USSR, to prove the power of Communist Party and make Soviets proud of their homeland. It was published in 1961 right after his first journey. Gagarin was a Soviet pilot and the first cosmonaut. This book was produced in the USSR. Road to the Stars was written for the Soviet people because he wanted to make people proud of their homeland.
Photos and videos
This is the most popular photo of Yuri Gagarin. This picture was taken before his famous space flight.
The picture of the spaceship "Vostok". "Vostok" was the first spaceship that sent a man into space.
On this picture Yuri Gagarin and Nikita Khrushchev celebrate the successful flight. This photo was taken on the Red Square in 1961.
This video was made on April 12 in 1961. Here we can see the launch of the ship "Vostok". The passager is the first cosmounat - Yuri Gagarin. The person who controled the flight was Mr. Korolev.