First published 2021
Ukraine sits at the crossroads of Europe, Russia, and the Middle East, making it a prize that empires have fought over for centuries. Historian Serhii Plokhy shows how this geographic position has shaped the nation's turbulent past and present struggles. Romans, Ottomans, the Third Reich, and the Soviet Union all used Ukraine as a strategic gateway between East and West. Plokhy examines Ukraine's ongoing search for identity by following major historical figures, both heroes and conquerors who left their mark on the land. The current conflict with Russia represents just the latest chapter in this long story of contested sovereignty. This updated edition covers recent events as Ukraine again becomes the center of international attention. Plokhy connects past and present to show how history continues to repeat itself in this strategic but vulnerable nation.
Genres: history, political-science, non-fiction, european-literature, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: contested-sovereignty
Setting: Europe, Russia, Middle East, Ukraine
Period: Centuries
407 pages · Paperback · Basic Books