You type “flying elephant memoirs” into a search bar and get a mix of results. One page talks about a cartoon. Another talks about a spy novel. A few talk about a sports book. So which one is the real answer? The short version is that flying elephant memoirs is a volleyball memoir by an Olympic champion.
This guide sets the record straight. You will learn who wrote the book, what it covers and who Alexander Savin is. You will also see how it differs from other books with similar titles and why some websites wikipedia get the facts wrong.
Quick Answer: What Are Flying Elephant Memoirs?
Quick answer: Flying Elephant Memoirs is the common short name for The Flying Elephant: Memoirs of an Olympic Champion. It is a Kindle memoir by Alexander Savin, a Soviet volleyball player who won Olympic gold at the 1980 Moscow Games. It looks at his career, his teammates and his coaching ideas.
Here are the key facts at a glance:
- Full title: The Flying Elephant: Memoirs of an Olympic Champion.
- Author: Alexander Savin, a former Soviet volleyball star.
- Format: Kindle edition on Amazon.
- Topic: Soviet volleyball, Olympic life and coaching.
- Genre: Sports memoir and biography.
What Is The Flying Elephant: Memoirs of an Olympic Champion?
The book is a first person account of a life in elite volleyball. The Amazon Kindle Store listing describes it as a candid memoir from a 1980 Olympic champion. It follows his path through what the listing calls the golden age of Soviet volleyball and moves on to his life beyond playing.
The listing also credits a team of helpers. It names Andrei Savine as editor and translator and Julia Savine as editor. It lists Peter Murphy for the introduction and Alfredo Cabero as a translator. That tells us the book was prepared for readers outside Russia.
Why Many People Call It Flying Elephant Memoirs
The full title is long. People shorten it when they search. “Flying elephant memoirs” is easy to type and easy to remember. It has also become the name of a website and a set of guide pages that talk about the book.
What the Book Listing Promises
The Amazon page says the memoir gives honest portraits of forgotten volleyball legends. It also promises behind the scenes looks at Olympic and international play. And it mentions a large photo archive that shows Soviet volleyball champions. Those points give a clear picture of what to expect.
Who Is Alexander Savin?
Alexander Savin is a real Olympic athlete. Wikipedia lists him as Aleksandr Borisovich Savin, a Soviet volleyball player born in 1957. He is a well known name in volleyball history. His story is the heart of the memoir.
Early Years in Volleyball
According to Wikipedia, Savin began playing volleyball as a student in Obninsk. He played club volleyball there in 1967 for a team called Obninsk Youth. That team was later renamed as a sports school, and the school now carries his name. That shows how much his hometown values his place in the sport.
Olympic Medals
Wikipedia says Savin was part of the Soviet team that won silver at the 1976 Olympic tournament. Four years later he won gold with the Soviet team at the 1980 Moscow Games. That is a huge career arc. He went from a near miss to the top of the podium.
Many countries boycotted the 1980 Games. Even so the medal remains a proud moment in Soviet sports history. Athletes still had to beat strong teams to earn it.
A Place in the Hall of Fame
The same Wikipedia page notes that Savin was admitted to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame on October 22 2010. That honor tells you he is more than a one time champion. He is part of the sport’s official history.
What the Memoir Covers
Based on the Amazon description, the book blends three kinds of stories. There is personal history. There is team history. And there is advice from a man who stayed in the game long after his playing days.
Here are the themes the listing points to:
- Personal journey: How a young athlete rose to Olympic gold.
- Team stories: Life inside a champion Soviet squad.
- Forgotten legends: Portraits of players many fans no longer know.
- Behind the scenes: What happens around Olympic and world events.
- Coaching wisdom: Lessons from years of teaching the game.
- Photo archive: Rare images that show the era.
Why the Team Angle Matters
Volleyball is a team sport. One player cannot win without five others on the court. A memoir from a champion in this sport tends to spotlight the group. That fits the way the listing talks about teammates and forgotten heroes.
Why the Photo Archive Stands Out
Old sports photos are hard to find. The listing points out that the book gathers many images from Soviet volleyball’s greatest years. For history fans that is a big draw. Pictures can teach as much as words.
Why Volleyball Fans Care About This Book
Fans of the sport love stories from the inside. Soviet volleyball had a strong reputation in the 1970s and 1980s. Readers who follow the sport want to know what life was like for those players.
A memoir also gives history a human face. Statistics show who won. A memoir shows how it felt. It can reveal training habits, friendships and hard choices that never make the news.
The book may also appeal to coaches. The listing highlights coaching wisdom. Coaches at any level can learn from a champion who later taught others.
Who Should Read Flying Elephant Memoirs?
The Amazon listing names its target readers. Volleyball players and coaches at every level top the list. Sports fans who like Olympic history come next. Historians and fans who want rare photos round out the group.
Here is who may enjoy it most:
- Volleyball players who want stories from a top champion.
- Coaches who want ideas from a long career.
- Olympic history fans who like real accounts.
- Readers of sports memoirs who enjoy team stories.
- Students of Soviet sports who want a personal view.
If you want a book full of gossip you may want to look elsewhere. The listing frames the memoir as honest and warm. It focuses on sport and people.
Flying Elephant Memoirs vs Other Books With Similar Titles
The name causes mix ups. Two very different works share part of the title.
The Flying Elephant by Boris Akunin
Wikipedia lists a Russian novel called The Flying Elephant by Boris Akunin. It came out in 2008 as a historical detective story about spies in the First World War. It has nothing to do with sports.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Wikipedia also lists Dumbo the Flying Elephant as a 1939 children’s story by Helen Aberson-Mayer and Harold Pearl. Disney adapted it into the film Dumbo in 1941. That is a children’s tale about a little elephant and has no link to the memoir.
How to Tell Them Apart
Look at the words that come with the title. If you see Olympic or memoirs or volleyball you have the right book. If you see spies or war you have the Akunin novel. If you see Disney or cartoon you have Dumbo.
Why Some Websites Get the Details Wrong
When I searched this topic I found many guide pages. They do not all agree. One site says the book was written by cricketer B.S. Chandrasekhar and describes his fight with polio. That does not match the Amazon listing, which names Alexander Savin as the author and describes a volleyball champion.
That is a good reminder to check the source. Many guide pages copy each other or use software to write fast. Some add facts that the book listing never mentions. A few even quote medal counts that do not match public records.
Here is a simple way to protect yourself:
- Check the official book listing first.
- Compare it with a trusted profile like Wikipedia.
- Be careful with sites that only repeat each other.
- Ignore claims that clash with the author name.
- Ask for a review from someone who read it.
Trust the primary sources. They are the best guide to what the book contains.
Where to Find the Book
The listing I found is for the Kindle edition on Amazon. That means you can read it on a Kindle device or in the Kindle app on a phone or tablet. I did not confirm other formats. So check the current listing for any print or audio versions.
Prices and availability can change. Look at the page on the day you plan to buy. Read the description and the details section. Make sure the title and author match the ones in this guide.
If you are not sure the book is for you, look for the preview option. It lets you read a short sample before you buy.
How to Get the Most From a Sports Memoir
A memoir reads best when you go in with a plan. Here are a few tips:
- Learn the basic rules of volleyball first.
- Look up the 1976 and 1980 Olympic tournaments.
- Note the names of teammates as you read.
- Pause to look at each photo in the archive.
- Write down any coaching ideas you want to try.
These small steps turn a good read into a real learning tool. They also help you enjoy the history behind the story.
FAQs About Flying Elephant Memoirs
What are Flying Elephant Memoirs about?
It is a volleyball memoir by Olympic champion Alexander Savin. It covers his career, his teammates, behind the scenes Olympic moments and his ideas about coaching.
Who wrote Flying Elephant Memoirs?
Alexander Savin wrote it. He is a former Soviet volleyball player who won Olympic gold in 1980. Several editors and translators helped prepare the edition.
Is Flying Elephant Memoirs a true story?
Yes. It is a memoir, which means a real account of the author’s own life. Alexander Savin is a real Olympic champion.
Is Flying Elephant Memoirs on Kindle?
Yes. The Amazon listing I found is for the Kindle edition. Check the page for other formats and current prices.
Is it the same as Dumbo the Flying Elephant?
No. Dumbo is a children’s story from 1939 that Disney turned into a film. The memoir is a sports book about volleyball.
Conclusion
Flying Elephant Memoirs is the short name for a real sports memoir by a real Olympic champion. Alexander Savin won silver in 1976 and gold in 1980 with the Soviet volleyball team and later joined the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. His book looks at his career, his teammates and his coaching ideas.
The main takeaway is simple. Use the Amazon listing and trusted profiles to check the facts before you trust any guide. That keeps you clear of mix ups with Dumbo, spy novels or the wrong author. If you love volleyball or Olympic history this memoir may be a worthwhile read.