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Zelensky: A Biography of Ukraine's War Leader
Millions who have admired Volodymyr Zelensky's defiance during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will learn much from this up-to-date biography of the Ukrainian President.
Zelensky's life to date has been packed with drama and action.
By the age of 20, the Jewish boy from the provincial town of Kryvyi Rih had become a star of the stage.
• At 30, he headed a multimillion-dollar TV company.
• At 40, he took on Ukraine’s corrupt political and business elite in a TV drama where he played a history teacher who becomes President.
• Then he launched a real-life political party named after the TV show, won a landslide victory and became Ukraine's real President.
• When Russian troops flooded across the border, Zelensky refused Western offers to leave Kyiv. He has marshalled Ukraine's resistance and successfully obtained Western missile systems and anti-tank weapons.
Zelensky said: ‘If I am elected, they will first sling mud at me. Then they will learn to respect me. And finally cry when I leave.’
Covering Zelensky’s background and bustling TV career through to his first, controversial years in office to Russia’s full-scale blitzkrieg, is written by a long-standing Russia and Ukraine reporter and a Russian- and Ukrainian speaking researcher.
It’s a pithy biography of Zelensky for anyone who wants to understand Ukraine’s charismatic head of state, his complex country, and its vexed relationship with Russia.
Covering Zelensky's life from his childhood to the Ukrainian presidency, Zelensky deals with: his background in a Russian-speaking region of Ukraine; his early career in TV taking part in KVN talent competitions; his rise through the Ukrainian and Russian television industry; and his breakthrough moment in the TV series playing a teacher, Vasyl Holoborodko, who dreams of reforming Ukraine and ending its corruption.
The show becomes a reality and Zelensky and his party, called Servant of the People, take power.
Zelensky's presidency is dogged by controversy concerning his attempts to curry favor with the US President Donald Trump and the offshoring of tens of millions of dollars.
Zelensky battles political rivals and takes on powerful vested interests in Europe’s second-largest country – before fighting a superpower in a fight most assume Ukraine will quickly lose (but has not).
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Al Pacino
Chapter 2: Bad Neighbours
Chapter 3: The Comedy Factory
Chapter 4: Maidan
Chapter 5: Servant of the People
Chapter 6: The Turbo Regime
Chapter 7: Confrontation
Chapter 8: The Wartime President
A Note on Sources
Bibliography
Zelensky's life to date has been packed with drama and action.
By the age of 20, the Jewish boy from the provincial town of Kryvyi Rih had become a star of the stage.
• At 30, he headed a multimillion-dollar TV company.
• At 40, he took on Ukraine’s corrupt political and business elite in a TV drama where he played a history teacher who becomes President.
• Then he launched a real-life political party named after the TV show, won a landslide victory and became Ukraine's real President.
• When Russian troops flooded across the border, Zelensky refused Western offers to leave Kyiv. He has marshalled Ukraine's resistance and successfully obtained Western missile systems and anti-tank weapons.
Zelensky said: ‘If I am elected, they will first sling mud at me. Then they will learn to respect me. And finally cry when I leave.’
Covering Zelensky’s background and bustling TV career through to his first, controversial years in office to Russia’s full-scale blitzkrieg, is written by a long-standing Russia and Ukraine reporter and a Russian- and Ukrainian speaking researcher.
It’s a pithy biography of Zelensky for anyone who wants to understand Ukraine’s charismatic head of state, his complex country, and its vexed relationship with Russia.
Covering Zelensky's life from his childhood to the Ukrainian presidency, Zelensky deals with: his background in a Russian-speaking region of Ukraine; his early career in TV taking part in KVN talent competitions; his rise through the Ukrainian and Russian television industry; and his breakthrough moment in the TV series playing a teacher, Vasyl Holoborodko, who dreams of reforming Ukraine and ending its corruption.
The show becomes a reality and Zelensky and his party, called Servant of the People, take power.
Zelensky's presidency is dogged by controversy concerning his attempts to curry favor with the US President Donald Trump and the offshoring of tens of millions of dollars.
Zelensky battles political rivals and takes on powerful vested interests in Europe’s second-largest country – before fighting a superpower in a fight most assume Ukraine will quickly lose (but has not).
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Al Pacino
Chapter 2: Bad Neighbours
Chapter 3: The Comedy Factory
Chapter 4: Maidan
Chapter 5: Servant of the People
Chapter 6: The Turbo Regime
Chapter 7: Confrontation
Chapter 8: The Wartime President
A Note on Sources
Bibliography
- GenresUkraine
224 pages, Paperback
Published February 2, 2023
9 people want to read
About the author
Steven Derix
3 books1 followerSteven Derix is journalist voor NRC Handelsblad. Samen met collega Dolf de Groot schreef hij in 2013 Bloedbroeders. De ondergang van de Rabobankploeg, waarin de dopingfraude van Michael Boogerd werd onthuld. Van 2014 tot 2020 was hij voor NRC correspondent voor Rusland, Oekraïne en Wit-Rusland.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 18, 2023
A fairly short book but a must-read if you're wanting to understand what's going on in Ukraine today.
This isn't a glossy promotional view of Zelensky - it shows his foibles and mistakes as well as his strengths and victories - and it does give a good overview of the maelstrom that Ukraine has been since the fall of the Soviet Union...and how Zelensky has played his part in changing his country.
Makes an interesting comparison with some other former Soviet republics such as Belarus and their leadership...
Strongly recommended!
This isn't a glossy promotional view of Zelensky - it shows his foibles and mistakes as well as his strengths and victories - and it does give a good overview of the maelstrom that Ukraine has been since the fall of the Soviet Union...and how Zelensky has played his part in changing his country.
Makes an interesting comparison with some other former Soviet republics such as Belarus and their leadership...
Strongly recommended!
December 31, 2024
2024/178: Zelensky: A Biography of Ukraine's War Leader — Stephen Derix
While other Ukrainian stars played an express part in the protests, Zelensky remained non-partisan...‘I am keen to demonstrate, but my support is for the people, not for promises by the Government or the opposition.’ [loc. 726]
I suspect there are better biographies of Zelensky, but this fleshed out the 'comedian turned politician' story that's been doing the rounds since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. It provides an overview of the situation in Ukraine -- corruption, poverty, a history of war and genocide, the fact that it was the third largest nuclear power after Russia and the USA -- and the economics of the Ukrainian entertainment industry, with a focus on the comedy shows that made Zelensky a household name.
Derix examines Zelensky's offshore businesses and his sensitivity to criticism, but the focus is very much on his loyalty to the people of Ukraine and his desire to root out corruption and make Ukraine into 'a modern country with a digital economy and high standard of living'. I was left with the impression that he does a lot of his work via Facebook, speaking directly to the people, and that he's determined to live up to the 'sacred aspect to the office... the president needs to be more than just a cool guy'.
After all his negative experiences with politicians, he had come to like people less, and his dogs more. [loc. 1608]
March 10, 2023
"Zelensky: Ukraine's President and His Country" by Andrew Wilson is an insightful and comprehensive examination of the presidency of Volodymyr Zelensky and the challenges facing Ukraine.
The book provides a detailed account of Zelensky's background, rise to power, and his efforts to reform the country. Wilson explores the factors that led to Zelensky's surprise victory in the 2019 presidential elections, including his background as a comedian and TV producer, and the widespread dissatisfaction with the political establishment.
The author also examines the major issues facing Ukraine, including the ongoing conflict with Russia, corruption, and economic challenges. He provides an in-depth analysis of Zelensky's efforts to address these issues, including his efforts to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his push to reform the judiciary and combat corruption.
One of the strengths of the book is the author's ability to contextualize Zelensky's presidency within the broader political and historical context of Ukraine. Wilson provides a nuanced understanding of the complex political landscape in Ukraine, including the role of oligarchs, civil society, and the media.
Overall, "Zelensky: Ukraine's President and His Country" is a well-researched and engaging book that provides a thorough analysis of one of the most intriguing presidencies in recent history. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in Ukrainian politics, Eastern European politics, or the challenges facing young democracies in the 21st century.
The book provides a detailed account of Zelensky's background, rise to power, and his efforts to reform the country. Wilson explores the factors that led to Zelensky's surprise victory in the 2019 presidential elections, including his background as a comedian and TV producer, and the widespread dissatisfaction with the political establishment.
The author also examines the major issues facing Ukraine, including the ongoing conflict with Russia, corruption, and economic challenges. He provides an in-depth analysis of Zelensky's efforts to address these issues, including his efforts to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his push to reform the judiciary and combat corruption.
One of the strengths of the book is the author's ability to contextualize Zelensky's presidency within the broader political and historical context of Ukraine. Wilson provides a nuanced understanding of the complex political landscape in Ukraine, including the role of oligarchs, civil society, and the media.
Overall, "Zelensky: Ukraine's President and His Country" is a well-researched and engaging book that provides a thorough analysis of one of the most intriguing presidencies in recent history. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in Ukrainian politics, Eastern European politics, or the challenges facing young democracies in the 21st century.
January 20, 2024
An excellent book, providing important information on Zelensky's background.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews