Life on the Run: One Family's Search for Peace in War-torn Ukraine

by Sergey Maidukov

This is a gripping memoir of a family who twice fled Putin's war in Ukraine; first to Kyiv from Eastern Ukraine in 2014, and then out of the country altogether in February 2022, when the author and his family shared the fate of millions of refugees driven out of their cities and villages by the Russian invasion. The story follows the family as they search for calm in Poland, and their eventual return to Kyiv. This is not a hate-filled recounting of their experiences—despite ongoing attacks. Instead, it focuses on the moments of love, friendship, unity, courage, and faith that Ukrainians have experienced since the onset of the war. While war can be experienced as an out-of-control fire, it can also bring forward the healing warmth of kinship.

280 pages, Hardcover

Published March 19, 2024

Reviews

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this book down, wonderful style of writing, seems effortless. He tells the story of his life on the run in Ukraine and Poland as he perceives it and does not need to force descriptions or emotions. Puts you easily right in the moments with him. Also, not repetitive.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life on the Run by Sergey Maidukov is a visceral and heartwarming account his family's experiences as Ukrainians during the violent Russian insurrection. Prior to the war, Mr. Maidukov wrote books in Ukrainian. Armed with an English dictionary, Mr. Maidukov documents his story in English to ensure that his memoir is not diluted by translation. He has achieved native level fluency in written English in this well written memoir which is not an easy task for an individual who is nearly 70 years old.

Mr. Maidukov weaves in the historical context of the Russian-Ukrainian relationship starting with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 through the current situation in 2023. I have been following the situation for several years and it was very enlightening to hear the perspective of someone living through this crisis. Originally from the Donetsk region, Mr. Maidukov moved to Kiev in 2014 leaving behind his parents who aligned with the Russians. As the attack on Kiev is initiated in early 2022, Mr. Maidukov evacuates with his wife, daughter and 3-year-old granddaughter. Mr. Maidukov's son and son in law were required to stay in Ukraine because of the restriction on departure from the country of men between 18 and 60.

Throughout the book, Mr. Maidukov shepherds his wife, daughter, and granddaughter from city to city to protect the health and safety of his family. His relationships with his wife, daughter and especially his granddaughter are marvelously touching. In the face of catastrophic war circumstances, Mr. Maidukov's love and devotion to his family are uplifting.

I highly recommend this book both to learn about the war in Ukraine and to experience a family with beautiful relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rowman & Littlefield for an advanced reader copy of this manuscript in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to buying a copy for my family when this book is published in March 2024.

[Brandon Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

Half my family is from Kyiv (what they called Kiev). I'm a 2nd generation U.S. (Ukrainian) American.

This book is pretty much a screed against Putin and Russians. Devoid of most of the history of the Ukraine ten year conflict. Almost no sources. Much is delivered in hyperbole and many statements when checked were untrue. There are tucked imbetween his rants charming references to his grandchildren and other family and some anecdotes of interest, but overall, this is a polemic, which will not give anything like an accurate picture of what is happening in Ukraine.

The title, Life on the Run, could be the title of books by millions of Ukrainians. Over 3 million Ukrainians took sanctuary in Russia during the Kyiv regime right wing militia attacks on eastern Ukraine, which resulted in close to 20,000 deaths before Russia sent in troops.

The one blurb on the back of the book is from Marcel Van Herpen who is a favorite with western
establishment corporate media like the New York Times, Financial Times, BBC, International Herald Tribune, UPI, MSNBC, El Mercurio, and Newsweek. Which is no surprise.

[Wilma Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! The reader is right there in Ukraine when the Russians attacked. The personal run to safety as well as the political observations, especially about Russia and Putin, were invaluable.

[Anouk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy hates Russians. Took me a minute to get into the narrative but I liked it by the end. I can’t imagine what it’s like for war to be one's reality instead of being limited to a book comfortably read thousands of miles away.

[Samantha Orszulak · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced reading copy all opinions are my own.

A firsthand journalistic approach to the current war in Ukraine shed a lot of light on the everyday struggles of the author and his family, who are trying to not just survive, but live. I learned some new things that our western media did not report on further highlighting how politicized this invasion of a sovereign nation has become.

I found it interesting how it’s it’s both a physical and informational war where propaganda and indoctrination is so prevalent. I really felt for the author and his strained relationship with his parents.

Overall, as Ukrainian, this reinforced, how proud I am to have such resilient and strong heritage. The author did a great job at weaving in his own opinion (he clearly hates Putin), his own experiences and news reporting making it a very real perspective of a very real war.