Alexander Sergeevich Yakovlev lived a long and very eventful life. At the age of 18, he built his first aircraft - the AVF-10 glider, which, as one of the best gliders, was awarded at all-Union competitions. Already on May 12, 1927, the first aircraft designed by A. Yakovlev, AIR-1, took off. This date is considered the birthday of the OKB, which A.S. Yakovlev led fruitfully until his retirement in 1984. During this period, more than 200 types and modifications of aircraft were created, and serial factories built 70 thousand Yak aircraft, more than any of the USSR design bureaus. In 1940–1946 gg. Alexander Yakovlev, simultaneously with the design of aircraft, worked as Deputy People's Commissar (since 1946, Minister) of the aviation industry of the USSR. While occupying high positions, Alexander Sergeevich often met with leading Soviet and foreign aircraft designers, political leaders, and participated in the development and adoption of fateful decisions. The book that you hold in your hands - this is the first time a candid story by Alexander Yakovlev about famous people and significant events of half a century of domestic aviation.