MIG Pilot: The Final Escape of Lt. Belenko by John Barron (1981 1^st Mass Market Paperback) 

•           Author:                           John Daniel Barron (1930 –2005) 

•           Illustrations:                   Historic B&W News Photos   

•           Publisher:            Avon Books    New York, NY      U.S.A.       1981 

The book is factual in every respect and is difficult to put down once started. John Barron is an experienced journalist who did a first-class job of writing Viktor Belenko's story.  MIG Pilot is also a biography of an exceptional man whose intelligence saw through a lifetime of brainwashing. The story is humorous in places and engrossing from beginning to end.  Viktor is not only a first-class pilot, but also a true hero. Don't lend this book to anyone and expect to get it back.

In addition to being an exciting escape story it reveals why the Soviet Union had to collapse of its own ineptitude, deceit, and corruption. It details humorous incidents such as army pilots' mess-hall riots due to bad food.  It illustrates how America could have given the Soviets all of its top secrets and their system likely would have found a way to screw up making use of them! 

It starts right out with Viktor's desperate and harrowing escape flight to freedom in his top-secret MIG-25 Foxbat, then in subsequent chapters details the life events that led to his courageous decision to "go for broke" and make his live-or-die dash to freedom.  222pp + 4 B&W photo plates bound in. 

John Daniel Barron (1930 –2005) was an American journalist and investigative writer. He wrote several books about Soviet espionage via the KGB and other organizations.  He graduated from the University of Missouri then studied Russian at the US Naval Postgraduate School.  His military service was as a naval intelligence officer stationed in Berlin.  His profession after the military was an investigative reporter with the Washington Post then Reader’s Digest.    

Mass market paperback has complete cover with no reading creases in spine, wear at ends of spine taped, plus creases in front & rear cover.  Interior is tight, well-handled, and unmarked.   Privately owned with no ownership markings. 

• Size:  12mo – over 6¾ - 7¾” tall,       230pp. 
• Condition:  Good Mass Market Paperback  –  Always privately owned.  No ownership markings.  1^st printing of 1^st Avon paperback edition.    

Copyright 1980.  First Avon Edition printing April, 1981 by arrangement with McGraw-Hill.  Printed in the U.S.A.  ISBN: 0-380-53868-7.  LCCN: 79-20611.  MSR = US $2.95. 

Notes on Condition/Edition ratings:

Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new” or even “new.”  Using the same term as coin collectors, “can’t guarantee it is uncirculated, but it looks very much like it could be.”  Booksellers need similar grading to describe this...

Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks or shelf-wear) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher.  Same sort of thing about grading as Fine above except generally used for newer publication dates for titles still in print. 

Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” This is the most likely condition for books of this age & title, shows the book has been read or previously owned.  

 Acceptable – How a young child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.)

Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have missing pages (you should ask).  Usually requires repair to be usable. 

Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.

1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy for their collection.

Thanks for looking!