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gj377's review against another edition
3.0
Having enjoyed Plokhy's Chernobyl book, and considering current world events, I was keen to pick up Gates of Europe in order to understand more about Ukraine's history, beyond its nuclear legacy. From Tatars to Cossacks to Oligarchs, Plokhy aims to cover hundreds of years of Ukrainian history, and using the history to frame the modern Ukrainian state (up to 2015).
The book tries to deal with notions of nationality, ethnicity, and identity, and indeed, the task of nation-building in regions that have undergone continual change, and constantly-shifting borders over the centuries. While there are many interesting parts to the book - a lot of which gives context to current events - the book is overly dry, and a real slog to read in places.
The hopeful endnote of the book, published in 2015, only feels like a knife in the back of Ukrainian optimism, given the current political climate, and the war with Russia.
Something to dip into over time if you are interested. Plokhy's Chernobyl book is much more accessible.
The book tries to deal with notions of nationality, ethnicity, and identity, and indeed, the task of nation-building in regions that have undergone continual change, and constantly-shifting borders over the centuries. While there are many interesting parts to the book - a lot of which gives context to current events - the book is overly dry, and a real slog to read in places.
The hopeful endnote of the book, published in 2015, only feels like a knife in the back of Ukrainian optimism, given the current political climate, and the war with Russia.
Something to dip into over time if you are interested. Plokhy's Chernobyl book is much more accessible.
braddy7's review against another edition
4.0
Due to the current invasion of Ukraine, I wanted to learn more about the history of Ukraine. It is clear that the history of Ukraine is complicated. I struggled through most of the history until the modern era. It was hard to keep it all straight. I would like to go back through it and try to get a better grasp of the history and the implications of that history. In the end, I was saddened by the way this group of people has been treated.
wannabekingpin's review against another edition
5.0
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Ukrainian history is complex and very vast, encompassing a very great part of Europe’s Eastern flank. Many a familiar title, and name gets brought up in all those battles, struggles, incredible, and unlikely victories in Ukraine’s history, as they fought to be and remain a sovereign nation.
My Opinion: Silver lining, if faded by the events that brought it up, is that my love for history is truly getting satisfied, as this is the only way I feel anywhat useful. Ukraine has a strange, and in some aspects even unique history. Not all is shiny and pure, but all of our histories at some point, without exception, are covered in blood of others. I highly recommend this book. From the start of it all, to Euromaidan.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Ukrainian history is complex and very vast, encompassing a very great part of Europe’s Eastern flank. Many a familiar title, and name gets brought up in all those battles, struggles, incredible, and unlikely victories in Ukraine’s history, as they fought to be and remain a sovereign nation.
My Opinion: Silver lining, if faded by the events that brought it up, is that my love for history is truly getting satisfied, as this is the only way I feel anywhat useful. Ukraine has a strange, and in some aspects even unique history. Not all is shiny and pure, but all of our histories at some point, without exception, are covered in blood of others. I highly recommend this book. From the start of it all, to Euromaidan.