Ukraine: What Everyone Needs to Know

To me, Ukraine is one of the most interesting countries of Europe, not only because it is the largest of all, excluding Russia. One of my relatives got a VC fighting in the Crimean War, and it had a terrible time in the 1930s and 1940s. Yet to many people in the UK, it is a forgotten country about which very little is known. I think this is a great pity, and that we have a duty to understand nations that have contributed so much to European culture, and have such a richness.This book is relatively short; it is easy-to-read, and well structured. Each section of 2-3 pages begins with a question that is then answered.In such a country with internal tensions as Ukraine, there are bound to be strong opinions about where the "truth" lies, and I suspect that the last reviewer takes a fundamentally opposing opinion to the author. Of course, I have insufficient knowledge to judge whether Serhy Yekelchyk is being balanced or not in his descriptions. However, it does appear that he looks at both sides of opinion, and, for example, I understand, reading this book, why many people in the east of Ukraine see Russia as a natural partner.The book makes me want to visit Ukraine to see for myself what life is like; the language is a barrier, but it turns out that Ukrainian is not so different from many other languages of central Europe, so the effort to learn it gives wider benefits. There is no doubt that Ukraine has a fascinating recent history; its protagonists include pop stars, boxers and comedians. Its future is in the balance. The book is a loving yet clear explanation that makes one want to delve more into this country.

Not quite a page turner but a gripping, thorough analysis of the situation of Ukraine looked at historically, ethnographically, cultural/linguistically, religiously, politically and geopolitically.

The early history of Ukraine is complex and difficult to assimilate, but Serhy Yekelchyk provides a concise precis. His account of more contemporary Ukrainian history is journalistic in style, readable and interesting, but doesn’t add anything beyond the knowledge which a regular reading of the press would have already imparted. This is simple narrative history with only occasional diagnostic and little prognosis. Yekelchyk tends to make value judgments without supporting justification. There is frequent repetition of detailed points which could have been better edited.

The Russian and Ukrainian war of 2022 has put both countries in the spotlight, but it is the lesser-known Ukraine that people are looking to when questions are raised as to why the war started. What is it about this country that matters, and are there more reasons than that proffered by the press and tv media? This is also not the first time Russia fought with Ukraine. This book was published in 2015, shortly after the 2014 short war. There are many books on Ukraine, and Taras Kuzio’s ‘Putin’s War Against Ukraine’ is one, “the Gates of Europe’ by Serhii Plokhy, is another. Both are detailed works and worth reading. But if one wants quick answers, Yekelchyk’s book is ideal. He traces the history of Ukraine, and explains the making of modern Ukraine – how the country’s borders were shaped and reshaped by previous conflicts. Each segment follows specific questions, such as ‘Why did fighting break out in Eastern Ukraine in 2014?’ and ‘What assistance has United States provided Ukraine after 2014?’This book does not cover the present war, but it is likely that it’s third edition will. Meanwhile, it is the most readable and enlightening book providing the background to the Ukrainian people and country. It goes to helping one understand the importance of Ukraine to the West and Russia.

Did not hold my attention and did not really have a central argument