Overview

Now in its fifth edition, this book is the most acute, informed, and up-to-date account available today of Ukraine and its people. This new edition includes two new chapters covering 2014 to the present war. Andrew Wilson focuses on the complex relations between Ukraine and Russia and explains the different versions of the past propagated by Ukrainians and Russians. He also examines the continuing debates over identity, culture, and religion in Ukraine since its independence in 1991. As in many postcommunist states, politics in Ukraine revolves around the issue of national identity. Ukrainian nationalists see themselves as one of the world's oldest and most civilized peoples, as ""older brothers"" to the younger Russian culture. Yet Ukraine became independent only in 1991, and Ukrainians often feel like a minority in their own country, where Russian is still the main language heard on the streets of the capital, Kiev. This book is a comprehensive guide to modern Ukraine and to the versions of its past propagated by both Russians and Ukrainians. Andrew Wilson provides the most acute, informed, and up-to-date account available of the Ukrainians and their country.Concentrating on the complex relation between Ukraine and Russia, the book begins with the myth of common origin in the early medieval era, then looks closely at the Ukrainian experience under the tsars and Soviets, the experience of minorities in the country, and the path to independence in 1991. Wilson also considers the history of Ukraine since 1991 and the continuing disputes over identity, culture, and religion. He examines the economic collapse under the first president, Leonid Kravchuk, and the attempts at recovery under his successor, Leonid Kuchma. Wilson explores the conflicts in Ukrainian society between the country's Eurasian roots and its Western aspirations, as well as the significance of the presidential election of November 1999.

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Reviews

A fresh, objective look at Ukrainian identity, which explores the many past and present possibilities that continue to confront this 'unexpected nation'. -- Choice A spirited and eminently learned investigation of who Ukranians say that they are, how they came to be so, and how others view them. -- H-Net Reviews A very readable, well-organized study...An informative introduction to a complex subject. -- Canadian Journal of History An exceptional history, the kind that supplies not pat answers but food for thought within a lush context of documented and mythological past. -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review of first edition) An interesting and provocative read, which will, one hopes, contribute to the Western understanding of what Ukraine is and why it matters. -- Harvard Ukrainian Studies

[Wilson] weaves his story from an ambitious blending of political, religious, and cultural history...And he argues for the importance of Ukraine's safe passage to secure nationhood. -- Robert Legvold, Foreign Affairs A lively, detailed and eminently sensible exploration of who the Ukrainians are and why they are important, and it should become required reading for anyone with a serious interest in Eastern Europe. -- Literary Review A shrewd and perceptive observer of all things Ukraine. -- Luke Harding, Foreign Correspondent at the Guardian Andrew Wilson's work demystifies and explains Europe's least-known country, at a time when it is fighting for its survival against Russia. -- Luke Harding, author of Shadow State Compelling and highly original. -- Serhii Plokhy, New York Times bestselling author Expect the unexpected in this compelling and highly original reinterpretation of Ukraine's past and present. -- Serhii Plokhy, New York Times bestselling author A fresh, objective look at Ukrainian identity, which explores the many past and present possibilities that continue to confront this 'unexpected nation'. -- Choice A spirited and eminently learned investigation of who Ukranians say that they are, how they came to be so, and how others view them. -- H-Net Reviews A very readable, well-organized study...An informative introduction to a complex subject. -- Canadian Journal of History An exceptional history, the kind that supplies not pat answers but food for thought within a lush context of documented and mythological past. -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review of first edition) An interesting and provocative read, which will, one hopes, contribute to the Western understanding of what Ukraine is and why it matters. -- Harvard Ukrainian Studies

"A lively, detailed, and eminently sensible exploration of who the Ukrainians are and why they are important, and it should become required reading for anyone with a serious interest in Eastern Europe. -- ""Literary Review"" [Wilson] weaves his story from an ambitious blending of political, religious, and cultural history...And he argues for the importance of Ukraine's safe passage to secure nationhood. -- ""Robert Legvold, Foreign Affairs"" A shrewd and perceptive observer of all things Ukraine. -- ""Luke Harding, Foreign Correspondent at the Guardian"" Andrew Wilson's work demystifies and explains Europe's least-known country, at a time when it is fighting for its survival against Russia. -- ""Luke Harding, author of Shadow State"" Compelling and highly original. -- ""Serhii Plokhy, New York Times bestselling author"" Expect the unexpected in this compelling and highly original reinterpretation of Ukraine's past and present. -- ""Serhii Plokhy, New York Times bestselling author"" A fresh, objective look at Ukrainian identity, which explores the many past and present possibilities that continue to confront this 'unexpected nation'. -- ""Choice"" A spirited and eminently learned investigation of who Ukranians say that they are, how they came to be so, and how others view them. -- ""H-Net Reviews"" A very readable, well-organized study...An informative introduction to a complex subject. -- ""Canadian Journal of History"" An exceptional history, the kind that supplies not pat answers but food for thought within a lush context of documented and mythological past. -- ""Kirkus Reviews (starred review of first edition)"" An interesting and provocative read, which will, one hopes, contribute to the Western understanding of what Ukraine is and why it matters. -- ""Harvard Ukrainian Studies"""

A lively, detailed, and eminently sensible exploration of who the Ukrainians are and why they are important, and it should become required reading for anyone with a serious interest in Eastern Europe. -- Literary Review [Wilson] weaves his story from an ambitious blending of political, religious, and cultural history...And he argues for the importance of Ukraine's safe passage to secure nationhood. -- Robert Legvold, Foreign Affairs A shrewd and perceptive observer of all things Ukraine. -- Luke Harding, Foreign Correspondent at the Guardian Andrew Wilson's work demystifies and explains Europe's least-known country, at a time when it is fighting for its survival against Russia. -- Luke Harding, author of Shadow State Compelling and highly original. -- Serhii Plokhy, New York Times bestselling author Expect the unexpected in this compelling and highly original reinterpretation of Ukraine's past and present. -- Serhii Plokhy, New York Times bestselling author A fresh, objective look at Ukrainian identity, which explores the many past and present possibilities that continue to confront this 'unexpected nation'. -- Choice A spirited and eminently learned investigation of who Ukranians say that they are, how they came to be so, and how others view them. -- H-Net Reviews A very readable, well-organized study...An informative introduction to a complex subject. -- Canadian Journal of History An exceptional history, the kind that supplies not pat answers but food for thought within a lush context of documented and mythological past. -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review of first edition) An interesting and provocative read, which will, one hopes, contribute to the Western understanding of what Ukraine is and why it matters. -- Harvard Ukrainian Studies

Author Information

Andrew Wilson is an author and professor in Ukrainian studies at University College London and a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Stefan Rudnicki is an avid audiobook narrator, receiving numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine. He is also a Grammy-winning audiobook producer.

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