The Chief Designer Audiobook By Andy Duncan cover art

The Chief Designer

 Preview
Get this deal Try for $0.00
Offer ends January 21, 2026 11:59pm PT
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Just $0.99/mo for your first 3 months of Audible Premium Plus.
1 audiobook per month of your choice from our unparalleled catalog.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts, and Originals.
Auto-renews at $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Chief Designer

By: Andy Duncan
Narrated by: Jared Doreck
Get this deal Try for $0.00

$14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offer ends January 21, 2026 11:59pm PT.

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $12.59

Buy for $12.59

LIMITED TIME OFFER | Get 3 months for $0.99 a month

$14.95/mo thereafter-terms apply.
This story, an alternate history masterpiece, is told from the point of view of Korolev, the "Chief" who managed the most crucial years of the secret Soviet space program, and his assistant and eventual successor, Aksyonov. The story spans from World War II, when Korolev was released from a prison camp to design rockets, to 1997 and the Mir space station.

This endearing story won the 2002 Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award for best short science fiction of the year.

©2007 Andy Duncan (P)2007 AudioText Alternate History Anthologies & Short Stories Fiction Science Fiction

Critic reviews

  • Hugo Award Nominee, Best Novella, 2002
  • Nebula Award Nominee, Best Novella, 2003

"Inspirational and deeply moving for any true science fiction fan." (sffaudio.com)
All stars
Most relevant
I couldn’t listen more than 2 minutes. Is this file damaged or was it just recorded super poorly?

Why does this sound like it was recorded in a shoebox?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.