Alexander Kazantsev
Encyclopedia
Alexander Petrovitch Kazantsev was a popular Soviet science fiction
writer and ufologist.
in Kazakhstan
). He graduated from Tomsk Polytechnic University
, and worked in Soviet Research institute of Electromechanics. Kazantsev was a member of Soviet delegation at the 1939 New York World's Fair
. When Germany invaded Soviet Union in 1941, Kazantsev joined the army. He left military service in 1945 in the rank of colonel
, and was awarded a number of orders, including Order of the Patriotic War
and Order of the Red Star
. From then on, Kazantsev settled at "literary village" of Peredelkino
and concentrated on his writings. He survived the dissolution of the Soviet Union and died in 2002.
. Many of his works, both fiction and non-fiction, deal with bold and controversial parascience theories.
He researched Tunguska event
and published a number of science fiction, as well as popular science
books, on the topic. He believed Tunguska impact was caused by an alien ship that crash-landed on the Earth.
Kazantsev researched events and legends that he believed were evidences of paleocontacts. His novel Phaetae is based on the popular hypothesis of Phaeton
, a planet that some believe has existed on the site of modern Asteroid belt
. According to the novel, Phaeton was inhabited by the developed civilisation of phaetae race, who survived the destruction of their planet and brought some of their culture to the prehistorical people of Earth.
Kazantsev was also interested in Martian canal theory, and used it in his fiction concerning Mars.
He was also a composer of chess endgame studies
. In 1975 he was awarded by the Permanent Commission of the FIDE for Chess Compositions
(PCCC) the title of FIDE Master of Composition.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
writer and ufologist.
Biography
Born in Akmolinsk, Imperial Russia (modern AstanaAstana
Astana , formerly known as Akmola , Tselinograd and Akmolinsk , is the capital and second largest city of Kazakhstan, with an officially estimated population of 708,794 as of 1 August 2010...
in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
). He graduated from Tomsk Polytechnic University
Tomsk Polytechnic University
Tomsk Polytechnic University in Tomsk, Russia, is the oldest technical university in Russia east of the Urals. The university was founded in 1896 and opened in 1900 as the Tomsk Technological Institute. In 1923, the school was renamed the Siberian Technological Institute and in 1930, the institute...
, and worked in Soviet Research institute of Electromechanics. Kazantsev was a member of Soviet delegation at the 1939 New York World's Fair
1939 New York World's Fair
The 1939–40 New York World's Fair, which covered the of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park , was the second largest American world's fair of all time, exceeded only by St. Louis's Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904. Many countries around the world participated in it, and over 44 million people...
. When Germany invaded Soviet Union in 1941, Kazantsev joined the army. He left military service in 1945 in the rank of colonel
Polkovnik
Polkovnik is often a military rank in Slavic countries which corresponds to a colonel in English-speaking states. However, in the Ukraine, polkovnyk was an administrative rank similar to a governor...
, and was awarded a number of orders, including Order of the Patriotic War
Order of the Patriotic War
The Order of the Patriotic War is a Soviet military decoration that was awarded to all soldiers in the Soviet armed forces, security troops, and to partisans for heroic deeds during the German-Soviet War, known by the former-Soviet Union as the Great Patriotic War.- History :The Order was...
and Order of the Red Star
Order of the Red Star
Established on 6 April 1930, the Order of the Red Star was an order of the Soviet Union, given to Red Army and Soviet Navy personnel for "exceptional service in the cause of the defense of the Soviet Union in both war and peace". It was established by Resolution of the Presidium of the CEC of the...
. From then on, Kazantsev settled at "literary village" of Peredelkino
Peredelkino
Peredelkino is a dacha complex situated just to the southwest of Moscow, Russia.-History:The settlement originated as the estate of Peredeltsy, owned by the Leontievs , then by Princes Dolgorukov and by the Samarins. After a railway passed through the village in the 19th century, it was renamed...
and concentrated on his writings. He survived the dissolution of the Soviet Union and died in 2002.
Writings
Kazantsev was an enthusiast of the unknown, and a pioneer of Soviet UFOlogyUfology
Ufology is a neologism coined to describe the collective efforts of those who study reports and associated evidence of unidentified flying objects . UFOs have been subject to various investigations over the years by governments, independent groups, and scientists...
. Many of his works, both fiction and non-fiction, deal with bold and controversial parascience theories.
He researched Tunguska event
Tunguska event
The Tunguska event, or Tunguska blast or Tunguska explosion, was an enormously powerful explosion that occurred near the Podkamennaya Tunguska River in what is now Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, at about 7:14 a.m...
and published a number of science fiction, as well as popular science
Popular science
Popular science, sometimes called literature of science, is interpretation of science intended for a general audience. While science journalism focuses on recent scientific developments, popular science is broad-ranging, often written by scientists as well as journalists, and is presented in many...
books, on the topic. He believed Tunguska impact was caused by an alien ship that crash-landed on the Earth.
Kazantsev researched events and legends that he believed were evidences of paleocontacts. His novel Phaetae is based on the popular hypothesis of Phaeton
Phaeton (hypothetical planet)
Phaeton is the name of a hypothetical planet posited to once have existed between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter whose destruction supposedly led to the formation of the asteroid belt...
, a planet that some believe has existed on the site of modern Asteroid belt
Asteroid belt
The asteroid belt is the region of the Solar System located roughly between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter. It is occupied by numerous irregularly shaped bodies called asteroids or minor planets...
. According to the novel, Phaeton was inhabited by the developed civilisation of phaetae race, who survived the destruction of their planet and brought some of their culture to the prehistorical people of Earth.
Kazantsev was also interested in Martian canal theory, and used it in his fiction concerning Mars.
He was also a composer of chess endgame studies
Endgame study
An endgame study, or just study, is a composed chess position—that is, one that has been made up rather than one from an actual game—presented as a sort of puzzle, in which the aim of the solver is to find a way for one side to win or draw, as stipulated, against any moves the other side...
. In 1975 he was awarded by the Permanent Commission of the FIDE for Chess Compositions
Permanent Commission of the FIDE for Chess Compositions
The Permanent Commission of the FIDE for Chess Compositions is the highest body governing the official activities in the chess composition, mandated by FIDE.Currently 39 countries are represented in the PCCC.Main duties of the Commission include:...
(PCCC) the title of FIDE Master of Composition.