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Available
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Description
"Despite repeated warnings from the White House, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world. Why did Putin start the war--and why has it unfolded in previously unimaginable ways? Ukrainians have resisted a superior military; the West has united, while Russia grows increasingly isolated. Serhii Plokhy, a leading historian of Ukraine and the Cold War, offers a definitive account of this conflict, its origins, course, and the already apparent and possible future consequences"--
User reviews
LibraryThing member Daniel_M_Oz
The book was written over the 1st year of the war (Feb 2022 to Mar 2023) at a faster pace than usual for a history book - and so can not be a comprehensive and detailed view of the war. That said, it gives a good coverage of the war to date in the second half of the book, with the first half
The book is recommend for anyone wanting a better understanding of the reasons for the war and the main players and events. However, further reading is required (there are many detailed notes to the chapters) as the average western reader would have little to no background knowledge of the key players and the complex series of events from the collapse of the Soviet Union leading on to the war in 2022. While the author does attempt to cover these, it is a lot to ask in a single volume - and so I found I gained some better insight into the causes of the war and the positions taken by various countries/parties, this book is really an introduction only.
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covering a brief tour over the far history of the Ukraine/Russian Empire relationship and then a m ore detailed overview of events post the collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s and up to the commencement of the war in 2022.The book is recommend for anyone wanting a better understanding of the reasons for the war and the main players and events. However, further reading is required (there are many detailed notes to the chapters) as the average western reader would have little to no background knowledge of the key players and the complex series of events from the collapse of the Soviet Union leading on to the war in 2022. While the author does attempt to cover these, it is a lot to ask in a single volume - and so I found I gained some better insight into the causes of the war and the positions taken by various countries/parties, this book is really an introduction only.
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LibraryThing member JmGallen
“The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History” is real-time account written by an historian possessing a deep appreciation of Ukrainian history and culture. It is an in-depth study of centuries long timeline leading to the current conflict.
The first chapter, “Imperial Collapse”, examines
As I followed news reports, I have had many questions, not covered in the press. How long has Crimea been part of Ukraine? Since 1954. Has Ukraine been part of Russia, if so, when? Much more complicated. I knew generally that Russia had a fleeting experiment with democracy, but how did it return to autocracy? By what process did Ukraine reach its current political status? What road has led to the 2022 invasion? “The Russo-Ukraine War” provides answers to these and other questions. It also introduces new concepts that encourage further research and contemplation. Is this a continuation of the dissolution of the Russian Empire that began in 1917, or maybe even 1905? Is this truly the return of history, with its military aggression and all that it follows in its wake? Much to think about. I applaud Prof. Serhii Plotky for bringing his insights into this informative and thought-provoking book.
The first chapter, “Imperial Collapse”, examines
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the myths and facts of the relationship between Ukraine and Russia developed over the last five centuries by princes and politicians, warriors and clerics, historians and linguists. Chapter 2 fast forwards to the 1990s and the parallel tugs-of-war between “Democracy and Autocracy” taking place in Ukraine and Russia. Chapter 3, “Nuclear Implosion”, raises the issue of the distribution of the Soviet nuclear arsenal from a perspective of how the balance of power between Ukraine and Russia would have been shifted had Ukraine retained the weapons stored in its territory, had not the Bush Administration policy of limiting the number of nuclear states prevailed. Chapter 4, “The New Eastern Europe” is the twenty-first century story of the during which Russia and its erstwhile vassals shifted their relationships through commercial and political deals. Chapters 5 through 11 are accounts of hot war from “The Crimean Gambit” to press time in December 2022. Chapter 12, “The Return of the West”, chronicles the remarkable coalescence of western nations in opposition to Russian aggression. Chapter 13, “The Pivot To Asia” is an analysis of Russia’s eastern turn to compensate for its lost markets and influence in Europe.As I followed news reports, I have had many questions, not covered in the press. How long has Crimea been part of Ukraine? Since 1954. Has Ukraine been part of Russia, if so, when? Much more complicated. I knew generally that Russia had a fleeting experiment with democracy, but how did it return to autocracy? By what process did Ukraine reach its current political status? What road has led to the 2022 invasion? “The Russo-Ukraine War” provides answers to these and other questions. It also introduces new concepts that encourage further research and contemplation. Is this a continuation of the dissolution of the Russian Empire that began in 1917, or maybe even 1905? Is this truly the return of history, with its military aggression and all that it follows in its wake? Much to think about. I applaud Prof. Serhii Plotky for bringing his insights into this informative and thought-provoking book.
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Awards
Pushkin House Russian Book Prize (Shortlist — 2024)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2023
2023-05-16 (1e édition originale américaine, W. W. Norton & Company, New York)
2023-09-07 (1e traductio et édition française, La suite des temps, Gallimard)
Physical description
8.98 inches
ISBN
0241633524 / 9780241633526