An Orange Revolution: A Personal Journey Through Ukrainian History

by Askold Krushelnycky

In December 2004 the world watched as hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians gathered to defy the results of a transparently rigged presidential election. The charismatic popular candidate, Viktor Yushchenko, was disfigured after being poisoned by his opponents. The security forces threatened violent repression. But the demonstrators stayed and, as international pressure grew, the corrupt old regime that had been supported by Putin’s Kremlin was deposed. An Orange Revolution is the gripping account of this historic uprising and the events that led to it. Based on firsthand observation and interviews with major players and anonymous demonstrators alike, this is about a people who have forced a lasting judges who defied death threats, a murdered journalist, amateur musicians who composed an anthem for the people and soldiers who staked their lives to back the opposition. Also tracing the story of the author’s family, who paid a high price for speaking out, this is a captivating book about a defining moment in European history.

Genres: Ukraine, History

368 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2006

Reviews

[Les Dangerfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps would have benefitted from the objectivity of less overwhelming enthusiasm for one side of the political battle, however much it was merited. Nevertheless, it’s an excellent read for anyone looking to understand better the background to the 2022 Russian invasion, all of the seeds of which were clearly laid during the period of the Orange Revolution if not before that.

The descriptions of corruption, control of the media and extreme methods of subverting elections are an excellent insight into how things work in Russia now and, most likely, ever since Putin’s rise to power. I felt there were even echoes of Trump’s/Republican party in their refusal to accept the result of the 2020 US presidential election and some of the measures they resorted to and are also now resorting to to suppress votes for their competition.

Democracies need to learn from what happened there and what continues to happen in Russia, Belarus and other autocratically run countries and to do something about tendencies in the same direction early before it becomes too late.

[Sjonni]

The eventual success or failure of Ukrainian democracy is in my opinion the most important geo-political issue of our times. The deprecative term "Malorossiya" does hold one promise: if Ukraine succeeds in turning aroud centuries of bad luck, foreign occupation, violence and corruption, then the way is paved for Russia to also evolve into a stable, modern, democratic and efficient state. Until that is achieved, the Cold War rages on simply and that dream of Europe which so many share remains incomplete and insufficient. Ukraine is the touchstone, the key, the answer. The Orange Revolution, now 5 years old and greatly diluted from subsequent events, was the first spark of hope in centuries of quasi-misery for the people of that useless former Russian Empire.

This book, written from a pro-Western viewpoint, relates the events that led up to the Revolution. None of the declarations in this book are backed with references and Yanukovych takes a truckload of dung on the head. Of course, Pan Prezident is a crook and the view point is totaly justified but I'm trying to be fair. Fairer then Janukovych would ever be towards the pro-Western clan anyways.

[Roxy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. As a member of the Ukrainian diaspora, Only in high school in New York when the orange revolution took place, it was helpful and informative to understand exactly what was going on that led to that series of events. And to have a refresh of all that history I learned several decades ago and Ukrainian school. And my key takeaway was shock and horror with just how corrupt Ukrainian politics are. Truly tragic.