From Double Eagle to Red Flag V1

by P.N. Krassnoff, William Gerhardie (Introduction)

""From Double Eagle to Red Flag V1"" is a book written by General P. N. Krassnoff that explores the history of the Soviet Air Force from the early days of aviation to the end of World War II. The book covers the development of Soviet aviation technology, the role of the Air Force in various conflicts, and the impact of political and social changes on the Air Force. It also includes personal accounts from pilots and other Air Force personnel. Overall, ""From Double Eagle to Red Flag V1"" provides a comprehensive look at the Soviet Air Force and its evolution over several decades.Volume 1 of 2. The volume contains parts one, two and three. Other volumes in this set are ISBN(s): 1419183354This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

480 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1926

Reviews

[James Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a student of history, I am intrigued by the 1917 Russian Revolution, especially about the struggle between the Red Army (communist) and the White Army (Czarists). This book captivated me, knowing that the author lived through it as a General in the white army. Volume one takes us from Czar Nicholas II to the start of WWI, through the eyes of an aristocratic Calvary LT. Salbin. His life as mirrored through historical events, and how it effected his life, through his romantic life, married life, and raising a family through violence of the beginning of revolutionary Russia. Here is a man that loves his country, and idolizes the Czar Nicholas II, He believes That the Czar is the anointed of God and he has almost God like qualities. In this book describes what it is like in Russia before the Revolution For the upper class and the nobility and how the changes, Challenges all that is sacred to him. you also get a glimpse of how it effects the lower classes. This is a book that I highly recommend, and I can't wait to read Volume Two.

[Patrick Mattingly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating that in this book from the 1800's to 1917 Bolshevik (Marxian) Revolution, then after, people who detest freedom and love totalitarian control were called "Reds." Then in China and other countries adopted the son of a rabbi's (Marx) philosophy took pride in being "Red" and adopted the red flag of the Soviet. But what name should be given to a Marxist in the US today? Well, until the late 90's it was always "Reds." But there is a deeper evil here that inverts things and of course they call liberty loving free states such as Florida and Texas "Red." This book digs in to where this comes from and who these people are, what their character is, these grubby "Reds" using the backdrop of the Russian Revolution and from the perspective of a military officer of the Tzar. The war in Ukraine in 2022 between the corrupt puppet of the elites, dictator Zelensky and the corrupt Putin has sparked an interest in the Russian Empire and people will be picking up these old books for truths that are quickly covered up by people who are de jure and sometimes de facto related to the Bolsheviks. Do you seek truth?

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, I feel I should justify single-handedly taking down this book's average rating by half a star.

Overall it's just not that exceptional. Characters who agree with Krasnow's White views are good-looking (and proven right) and characters who are Reds or Anti-Tsarists are ugly. Krasnow really can't hold himself back and sometimes his mouthpieces characters go off on random ideological tangents.

The plot is meandering and doesn't go anywhere until hundreds of pages into the book, which would be okay if Krasnow had delivered on his promise of a 'panorama' instead of showing us the random love affairs of his main character.

This is all excusable, of course: Krasnow fought in the White Movement during the Russian Civil War, and war doesn't leave you much room for nuance, exactly. Although I originally rated this book one star, Krasnow compares favourably to much more virulent reactionary figure Ayn Rand, and is a much better writer. While I could never get into the book and dislike it esthetically, its format fulfills its intended purpose, even if not too gracefully.

It's not that I don't treasure this book: it was a gift from my grandfather, and I love its bulk! But it's mostly valuable as an insight into the mind of a conservative author, to see how the Whites legitimized Tsarism. For example, in the first pages Krasnow goes on and on about how an elite is needed, for who else could create and enjoy art but an elite? It's an interesting way of reasoning followed by most of the contemporary well-off: you deserve what you have, simply because you have it. Being rich gives you the time and resources to become cultured, and to be cultured is to be deserving, apparently.

There are more amusing tidbits, like how the main character thinks a woman shouldn't 'busy her pretty head with maths' and go singing or something. It's not good or bad from the perspective or writing, but it's interesting as a look into a reactionary worldview.

Two Stars, which for me means 7/10.

[A Russian · Rating 5 out of 5]

To understand the awful decay that glorious Russian Empire suffered, one should read “From Double Eagle to Red Flag” by Pyotr Nikolaievich Krasnov. I consider this book to be the War&Peace of the XX century, only better, since it was written by a person who saw all the events unfold first hand. A marvellous piece of literature that is both heart wrenching and soul tearing. Just to compare how it changes from the bright and happy days of late 19th century, when Europe was in it’s zenith and Russia was prospering to the dark days of the early XX century. I cannot recommend it enough.