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A Brief History of Ukraine: A Singular People Within the Crucible of Empires
It’s the second largest country in Europe, and it’s dominating the headlines… but how much do you really know about Ukraine’s fascinating history?Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe, yet we hear little about it until disaster strikes. But with its lush, fertile fields and fast-flowing rivers, it’s a place of beauty and history that deserves to be understood.
We often hear about conflict in the region, but did you know that there’s a logical reason for that?
Ukraine has few geographical barriers, and as such, its history is scattered with stories of conflict caused by clashing civilizations.
But despite its tumultuous history, the country has a depth of resilience that has allowed it to thrive and carve out a unique identity… no matter what has happened around it.
As Ukraine has served as a crossroads for different cultures, it has absorbed a diverse array of languages, cuisines, laws, and fashions, making it a country with a clear and distinct voice of its own.
If you’ve ever wondered what separates Ukraine from Russia and makes it stand out as a unique culture, now is the time to delve into one of the most fascinating histories in Europe… and you’re in just the right place to do exactly that.
Inside this comprehensive potted history, you’ll
The first civilization known to have occupied Ukraine – and how it influenced the story that would unravel over years to comeWhere the terms ‘Left-Bank Ukraine’ and ‘Right-Bank Ukraine’ come from… and why they’re still relevant todayThe role Attila the Hun played in Ukraine’s history (plus why everything you’ve been told about him is wrong)‘The Golden Horde’ – plus what gave them their name and how they influenced the countryThe role of religion in developing the Ukraine we know todayThe true significance of the Pereyaslav Agreement of 1654 – and the astounding effect it had on the country’s cultureA complete understanding of the influence of the Tsar reignThe role of literature and how it affected Ukrainian culture and politicsThe full story of growth and industrialization in Ukraine that brought it to where it is today
And much more.
Ukraine is in our consciousness for a range of specific reasons… But there’s a huge depth to its past that brings it to where it is now.
Deepen your understanding, broaden your horizons, and see the picture in full color… Delve into Ukraine’s past and discover what most history books leave out.
Discover the full story behind a truly remarkable Scroll up and click “Add to Cart” right now.
We often hear about conflict in the region, but did you know that there’s a logical reason for that?
Ukraine has few geographical barriers, and as such, its history is scattered with stories of conflict caused by clashing civilizations.
But despite its tumultuous history, the country has a depth of resilience that has allowed it to thrive and carve out a unique identity… no matter what has happened around it.
As Ukraine has served as a crossroads for different cultures, it has absorbed a diverse array of languages, cuisines, laws, and fashions, making it a country with a clear and distinct voice of its own.
If you’ve ever wondered what separates Ukraine from Russia and makes it stand out as a unique culture, now is the time to delve into one of the most fascinating histories in Europe… and you’re in just the right place to do exactly that.
Inside this comprehensive potted history, you’ll
The first civilization known to have occupied Ukraine – and how it influenced the story that would unravel over years to comeWhere the terms ‘Left-Bank Ukraine’ and ‘Right-Bank Ukraine’ come from… and why they’re still relevant todayThe role Attila the Hun played in Ukraine’s history (plus why everything you’ve been told about him is wrong)‘The Golden Horde’ – plus what gave them their name and how they influenced the countryThe role of religion in developing the Ukraine we know todayThe true significance of the Pereyaslav Agreement of 1654 – and the astounding effect it had on the country’s cultureA complete understanding of the influence of the Tsar reignThe role of literature and how it affected Ukrainian culture and politicsThe full story of growth and industrialization in Ukraine that brought it to where it is today
And much more.
Ukraine is in our consciousness for a range of specific reasons… But there’s a huge depth to its past that brings it to where it is now.
Deepen your understanding, broaden your horizons, and see the picture in full color… Delve into Ukraine’s past and discover what most history books leave out.
Discover the full story behind a truly remarkable Scroll up and click “Add to Cart” right now.
- GenresHistory
129 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2022
79 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 5, 2023
A Brief History of Ukraine: A Singular People Within the Crucibles of Empires by Dominic Haynes is an absorbing overview of a beleaguered country with an indomitable spirit that continues to fight for its freedom and independence from Russia.
Because I cannot stomach watching or listening to the news regularly, I learn about world events through books, documentaries, and online articles. Therefore, I wanted to read this 30,000-word book to try to understand more about how Ukraine has found itself in the position it’s in today. (Also, my childhood friend’s husband is of Ukrainian descent.) Haynes has crafted a well-written, informative brief history of Ukraine that helps us understand precisely what the country has been up against and what has led to the current war with Russia.
It begins with the roots and origins of ancient Ukraine from 30,000 BCE to 800s CE and takes us all the way up to the 21st century to 2022 CE.
The book has a few typos but is engaging and easy to read. However, I would have found it very helpful if the book had included a map of Ukraine, preferably one from ancient times and one from modern-day Ukraine, so I wouldn’t have to keep referring to the Internet on my phone while reading it to pinpoint where the areas referred to are located.
I looked up many leaders and empires discussed in this book, beginning with the Trypillya. I knew nothing about Ukraine other than what I experienced at a traditional Ukrainian wedding reception I attended in Toronto many years ago and saw in Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations when Tony travelled to Ukraine in 2011 with his friend and travel companion Zamir Gotta who had ancestors from Crimea. Ukraine appeared to be a beautiful country, “Europe’s breadbasket,” rich in fertile lands, abundant culture, and strong, passionate people.
I love archaeology programs, historical movies, and television series, including those about Goths and Vikings, so I knew a bit about some historical figures, like Atilla the Hun, Ghengis Khan, and Catherine the Great. But I have never read Herodotus.
The book helps put Crimea and Belarus and their influence on Ukraine into perspective. We understand that Ukraine has always been ruled by other countries, including Lithuania, Poland, and Russia. Despite this, Ukraine has its own unique culture and identity that it continues to fight to retain.
As with the evolution of any country, religion plays a pivotal role and unfailingly leads to conflict. While I believe in a Higher Power, I think that more harm than good has come from organized religion and would not be upset if Roman Catholicism and all its offshoots were abolished. I also believe in personal sovereignty and that the medieval practice of serfdom must be wholly eradicated in order for its enslaved people to be free to choose how they want to live.
In light of the current war between Russia and Ukraine that some think may lead to World War III, it is evident that most of the world believes that freedom from tyranny is worth fighting for.
“Dominic Haynes has a degree in Social Sciences from the University of Manchester, and his years of study have fueled a passion for independent research. He has a deep interest in history, and his degree marked the beginning of a lifetime of extensive study.” I would not hesitate to read other books by Dominic Haynes as he has written a series of A Brief History of books, including America, Canada, England, Portugal, and China.
Because I cannot stomach watching or listening to the news regularly, I learn about world events through books, documentaries, and online articles. Therefore, I wanted to read this 30,000-word book to try to understand more about how Ukraine has found itself in the position it’s in today. (Also, my childhood friend’s husband is of Ukrainian descent.) Haynes has crafted a well-written, informative brief history of Ukraine that helps us understand precisely what the country has been up against and what has led to the current war with Russia.
It begins with the roots and origins of ancient Ukraine from 30,000 BCE to 800s CE and takes us all the way up to the 21st century to 2022 CE.
The book has a few typos but is engaging and easy to read. However, I would have found it very helpful if the book had included a map of Ukraine, preferably one from ancient times and one from modern-day Ukraine, so I wouldn’t have to keep referring to the Internet on my phone while reading it to pinpoint where the areas referred to are located.
I looked up many leaders and empires discussed in this book, beginning with the Trypillya. I knew nothing about Ukraine other than what I experienced at a traditional Ukrainian wedding reception I attended in Toronto many years ago and saw in Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations when Tony travelled to Ukraine in 2011 with his friend and travel companion Zamir Gotta who had ancestors from Crimea. Ukraine appeared to be a beautiful country, “Europe’s breadbasket,” rich in fertile lands, abundant culture, and strong, passionate people.
I love archaeology programs, historical movies, and television series, including those about Goths and Vikings, so I knew a bit about some historical figures, like Atilla the Hun, Ghengis Khan, and Catherine the Great. But I have never read Herodotus.
The book helps put Crimea and Belarus and their influence on Ukraine into perspective. We understand that Ukraine has always been ruled by other countries, including Lithuania, Poland, and Russia. Despite this, Ukraine has its own unique culture and identity that it continues to fight to retain.
As with the evolution of any country, religion plays a pivotal role and unfailingly leads to conflict. While I believe in a Higher Power, I think that more harm than good has come from organized religion and would not be upset if Roman Catholicism and all its offshoots were abolished. I also believe in personal sovereignty and that the medieval practice of serfdom must be wholly eradicated in order for its enslaved people to be free to choose how they want to live.
In light of the current war between Russia and Ukraine that some think may lead to World War III, it is evident that most of the world believes that freedom from tyranny is worth fighting for.
“Dominic Haynes has a degree in Social Sciences from the University of Manchester, and his years of study have fueled a passion for independent research. He has a deep interest in history, and his degree marked the beginning of a lifetime of extensive study.” I would not hesitate to read other books by Dominic Haynes as he has written a series of A Brief History of books, including America, Canada, England, Portugal, and China.
April 19, 2022
In a world dominated by the 24/7 news cycle that is currently focused on the unprovoked war on Ukraine, there are really only two things you can do. One, you can allow yourself to be uninformed, bury your head in the sand like an ostrich, or two, you can absorb as much of the news as you can stomach then turn to sources beyond sound bites such as books. My choice is the second.
I've watched in horror, tears welling in my eyes, as Russian troops slaughter Ukrainians in a war of genocide as dictated by Vladimir Putin. From day 1, there seemed no good reason for an invasion of Ukraine other than one dictator's whim.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF UKRAINE: A Singular People Within the Crucible of Empires brings today's issues into sharper focus by detailing what has happened in the past. Consider that "…
a particular branch of the Slavs, the Eastern Slavs, moved into the Ukrainian steppe and began to coalesce into a more permanent civilization. One of their earliest settlements was a city named Kyiv, on the Right Bank of the Dnieper River." Kyiv has existed for nearly two millennia. This is amazing to an American where our capitol city has existed for less than 250 years.
I was never an ardent student of history until sometime in 2015 when I was 69 years old. I always found history, as taught in school, to be an uninteresting collection of dates and events that seemed to have no real context. When Democracy came under assault in the United States, the need to understand history in context suddenly opened up a new interest that I continue to feed.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF UKRAINE puts today's war into a context of long desire for Ukrainian independence with an equal desire on the part of Ukrainian people to participate in self-governance. It depends on where you get your news whether you get the premise for this war from a Russian or Ukrainian point of view. In this book, divergence from one to the other is explained.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF UKRAINE is relatively easy to read and explores to origins of Ukraine going back to a flourishing during the neolithic age through the many migrations from all directions that led to Ukraine in the 21st Century seeking to be independent, democratic, and united with other like-minded nations.
I've watched in horror, tears welling in my eyes, as Russian troops slaughter Ukrainians in a war of genocide as dictated by Vladimir Putin. From day 1, there seemed no good reason for an invasion of Ukraine other than one dictator's whim.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF UKRAINE: A Singular People Within the Crucible of Empires brings today's issues into sharper focus by detailing what has happened in the past. Consider that "…
a particular branch of the Slavs, the Eastern Slavs, moved into the Ukrainian steppe and began to coalesce into a more permanent civilization. One of their earliest settlements was a city named Kyiv, on the Right Bank of the Dnieper River." Kyiv has existed for nearly two millennia. This is amazing to an American where our capitol city has existed for less than 250 years.
I was never an ardent student of history until sometime in 2015 when I was 69 years old. I always found history, as taught in school, to be an uninteresting collection of dates and events that seemed to have no real context. When Democracy came under assault in the United States, the need to understand history in context suddenly opened up a new interest that I continue to feed.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF UKRAINE puts today's war into a context of long desire for Ukrainian independence with an equal desire on the part of Ukrainian people to participate in self-governance. It depends on where you get your news whether you get the premise for this war from a Russian or Ukrainian point of view. In this book, divergence from one to the other is explained.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF UKRAINE is relatively easy to read and explores to origins of Ukraine going back to a flourishing during the neolithic age through the many migrations from all directions that led to Ukraine in the 21st Century seeking to be independent, democratic, and united with other like-minded nations.
November 3, 2022
Today's political events leave many people scratching their heads. Haynes' book is helping me to place the Ukrainian nation in its historical context. The author created a concise and in-depth book for people like me, who feel emotionally and academically unprepared to make sense of the tragedies parading before me in the news.
Ukraine is a country much more extensive and diverse than I realized and its struggle for independence goes back much further.
I am amazed how a single nation emerged from the ruins of many warring empires, and the Ukrainian people rose like the phoenix from a cultural crucible throughout history. It helps me realize their strength in standing up against Putin and his war.
Haynes has provided a place to begin to find out more. For instance, I want to learn more about the Cossacks, the Pereyaslav Agreement of 1654, the Tsars, and how language, literature, and religion shaped Ukrainian society and government. Ukraine has a rich, long, and winding history.
Ukraine is a country much more extensive and diverse than I realized and its struggle for independence goes back much further.
I am amazed how a single nation emerged from the ruins of many warring empires, and the Ukrainian people rose like the phoenix from a cultural crucible throughout history. It helps me realize their strength in standing up against Putin and his war.
Haynes has provided a place to begin to find out more. For instance, I want to learn more about the Cossacks, the Pereyaslav Agreement of 1654, the Tsars, and how language, literature, and religion shaped Ukrainian society and government. Ukraine has a rich, long, and winding history.
April 19, 2022
Must read to understand Ukrainian news.
Outstanding summary level history of Ukraine. A ‘must read’ to understand current events. I highly recommend the last two chapters if you’re pressed for time.
Outstanding summary level history of Ukraine. A ‘must read’ to understand current events. I highly recommend the last two chapters if you’re pressed for time.
April 25, 2022
A bit hard to get through at times, but interesting information that I certainly never learned in school !
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews