Russia's War Against Ukraine: The Whole Story

by Mark Edele

In February 2022 Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a fellow East Slav state with much shared history. Mark Edele, a world authority on the history of the Soviet Union, explains why and how this conflict came about. He considers competing historical claims and arguments with authority and lucidity. His primary focus, however, is on the different paths taken by these two former members of the Soviet Union. Since the implosion of that state in 1991, Ukraine has developed a vibrant, if often troubled, democracy. For an increasingly dictatorial Russian political elite, including but not limited to Vladimir Putin, Ukraine has appeared more and more threatening. Humiliated by the degradation of Russia's international standing, feeling betrayed by an expanding NATO and anxious about democratic revolutions in the former Soviet space, Putin and his allies have increasingly retreated into a resentful ultra-nationalism. Dreams of past imperial glory stand in place of any attempt to solve the problems of the present.

Genres: Nonfiction

216 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2023

Reviews

[Norrie Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book begins at the end, with the current war. The introduction is a useful overview of the invasion in 2022 and how it went off script for Russia. The main chapters then travel back in time to provide the historical and geographical context that allows us to make sense of Putin’s fateful decision.
It is a lot to fit in 158 pages of text, yet the final book makes sense of the long and complex histories of the two countries and their relationships. Some of the historical material is intricate, nuanced and difficult to analyse.
Professor Edele writes with clarity and brevity, even if the events described were not. It is an important book whose relevance is unlikely to be diminished by the passage of events.
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[Simon Hepple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neat, short summary of the history and lead up to Russia's War on Ukraine. Very simple book and very easy read to gather a quick overview.

I didn't really learn too many new facts but it gave me an overview from Russia's perspective, which makes it easier to understand their belief in why the war had to happen.

I found it interesting that the author felt that Putin was a moderate amongst a lot of Russian nationalists. I also find it strange that over 20% of Russia is made up of ethnic minorities who are not Russian. Both countries are very mixed.

[Karen Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a friend who feeds me books, this is one of them. With so much happening in the world its hard to keep up.
I enjoy the background to events, how history rolls, what got us where we are. This says as a sub tittle The Whole Story, that could never be. It did go some way to my understanding of this present mess

[Selwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent summary of the history of both Ukraine and Russia and a worthy description of how they arrived at today's problematic period. While there were a few editorial lapses, it was an easy read and the bibliography etc, was a worthy inclusion to enable a more extensive read of the subject.

[Brian S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by an academic and it shows. I found it verbose and difficult to follow. Eventually I gave up it reminds me of old IBM manuals where they tell you what they are going to say and the do the same again and again but you never actually get the answer.

[Aaron Wiggan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled in some gaps, in my brain thinking.

[Luke Negri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5