The Ukraine is one of the most neglected countries in the world. It has a population of 52 million - larger than Britain's - and a land mass the size of France; it also has Chernobyl, and after Russia is the largest nuclear power. The word 'Ukraine' means 'borderland' and for most of its history the lands that make up present-day Ukraine have been a collection of other countries' border regions. Prior to Stalinism and Nazism, Ukraine was ethnically extremely diverse, including Russians, Poles, Jews, Greeks and Armenians. ...
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The Ukraine is one of the most neglected countries in the world. It has a population of 52 million - larger than Britain's - and a land mass the size of France; it also has Chernobyl, and after Russia is the largest nuclear power. The word 'Ukraine' means 'borderland' and for most of its history the lands that make up present-day Ukraine have been a collection of other countries' border regions. Prior to Stalinism and Nazism, Ukraine was ethnically extremely diverse, including Russians, Poles, Jews, Greeks and Armenians. Their ghosts linger in language, literature, and architecture, quite distinct from Russia's.
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This engaging, intelligent narrative is a wonderful introduction to the history and background of modern Ukrain, the borderland between east and west, Catholic and Orthodox, Jew and Christian, Tatar, Pole, and Russian peoples and cultures. The author is honest about the violent and often cruel history of what is now the new nation of Ukraine, yet maintains her sympathy and admiration for the struggles of all the Ukrainian peoples -- the ethnic Ukranians and other Slavs as well as the important minority groups (Jews, Poles, Tatars and others). I read her book after a brief visit to Ukraine to see my son, who is serving in the Peace Corps there. The author gave me a perspective in depth on the Ukrainian peoples and cultures. I recommend it highly.
avidreader45
Jun 28, 2007
A unexpected nice suprise!
I'm picky on books,more a fictional reader,too. However, have family in Ukraine,and visited and found this book wonderful in explaining the changing boundaries,history and doing a great job piecing it all together for me.. I actually bought it for my brother-in-law,but had to get him another copy as I could not quit reading this one.Not only did I read it through once, but found myself re-reading sections. It's also easy to pick it up at bedtime and reread a page or two again, as I seemed to understand more each time. Lots of changing of hands of Ukraine.Then I had to buy a third as my 18 and 21 year girls kept "borowing" my copy. Did not find it a" dry read "either asthere are person conversations of locals included.Highly recommend. Strangely,as new people walk by it in the house,they are drawn to pickig it up and taking a look.
