The Ukraine is one of the most neglected countries in the world. It has a population of 52 million - larger than Britain's - and a land mass the size of France; it also has Chernobyl and after Russia the largest nuclear power. The word 'Ukraine' means 'borderland' and for most of its history the lands that make up present-day Ukraine have been a collection of other countries' border regions. Prior to Stalinism and Naziism, Ukraine was ethnically extremely diverse, including Russians, Poles, Jews, Greeks and Armenians. Their ghosts linger in language, literature, and architecture, quite distinct from Russia's.
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To be promoted alongside Anna Reid's new book, THE SHAMAN'S COAT
From the Back Cover
Borderland tells the story of Ukraine. Centre of the first great Slav civilisation in the tenth century, and divided between warring neighbours for the next thousand years, Ukraine finally won independence with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Bigger than France and as populous as Britain, it has the potential to become one of the leading states of Europe. Talking to peasants and politicians, rabbis and racketeers, dissidents and paramilitaries, survivors of Stalin's famine and of Nazi death camps, Anna Reid combines historical research and her own experiences to dissect the bloody and controversial past of this little-known land.
'If you think you couldn't be interested in Ukraine - and I thought I couldn't - you should read this book' Matthew Parris, A Good Read, Radio 4
'A beautifully written evocation of Ukraine's brutal past and its shaky efforts to construct a better future…Borderland is a tapestry woven of the stories of all its inhabitants, recording their triumphs and their conflicts with the fairness of a compassionate outsider' Financial Times
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NON-FICTION/HISTORY
UK £7.99
CAN $17.95
Cover photograph: [Details to follow]
Isbn: 1 84212 722 5 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am a Ukrainian from Kyiv myself and I purchased the book while searching for a guide to my country for some friends of mine, who plan to visit. I would like to commend the author on her good work - the book is well-written and quite captivating (I started flipping through the pages and ended up reading the entire book). Also, it is clear a lot of background research went into it. Finally, I am thankful for the book as such as there is so little popular information on Ukraine published yet. Couple of clarifying remarks are still in order, in my opinion. Firstly, the depiction of Ukraine in the book is quite dated. Kyiv, for one, has changed dramatically since ten years ago (when the material of the book was gathered) - mostly for the better. Also, invariably for a non-scientific history book, a lot of views and perceptions of the author are subjective. That's what makes the book interesting and readable, but also that is why the book should not be used as a proper guide to a Ukrainian history (The Ukrainians: Unexpected Nation by Andrew Wilson is one of my picks, apart from the classical history books published by Ukrainian historians). My final comment is that Anna Reid seems to have discovered many Ukraines - Polish, Russian, Austrian, Jewish, Romanian ones (reflecting my country's history and the wonderfully diverse ethnic and cultural heritage), but I feel that Ukrainian Ukraine is yet to be fully discovered and appreciated by the author... Perhaps Anna should come and visit Ukraine again and update the book?
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
When colleagues at work found me reading a book about Ukranian history they thought I had gone round the bend. At best they considered that I was just showing off. Before to long, however, it was these very same people who would steal it off me and quote extracts to their friends.
What makes Anna Reid`s book such a great achievement is the way she is able to transform what could have been a pretty stodgy historical account into a jolly good read. At times it verges on the anecdotal yet one is never far from a well documented tragic flip side.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
If you are looking for an introduction to Ukraine, and Ukrainians, then this is the book for you. It's well written and not too heavy to digest. It's also peppered with some amusing insights from the author's time in Ukraine. A welcome diversion from the heavy academic tomes usually on offer.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Introduction
I have no especial interest in Ukraine but picked up this book as I knew someone with the same name as the author. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Mr. A. Weston
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Intro
So you think you know about Ukraine? This is an interesting introduction to the brutal history of Ukraine and how the borders have changed over centuries. Read more
Published 3 months ago by atticusfinch1048
4.0 out of 5 stars
Borderland
a concise and readable account of some of the history of the Ukraine, picking out some of its more interesting facets, told by someone who seems to have a great warmth for that... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. Thomas Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Very Engaging, Vivid and Heartbreaking History of the Ukraine
This is an excellent, very well written and thoroughly engaging book about the heartbreaking history of the Ukraine. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Dr. R. Brandon
4.0 out of 5 stars
As someone with no connection to Ukraine
This is an engaging, thought provoking and sensitive telling of one of the most brutal histories in Europe. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Jimmy the Hat
4.0 out of 5 stars
borderland a journey through the history of the ukraine
The book is a good book but i would liked to have had more information admitedly not many books in english on the ukraine.
Published on 5 April 2011 by ashwort01
5.0 out of 5 stars
Big yes!
Written with nerve and skill. Hugely entertaining and competent. A must read for people interested in Eastern Europe affairs.
Published on 20 Oct 2010 by Mikolaj
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, excellent, excellent
This is just a great book. Simple concept, beautifully executed. I would certainly recommend it for those interested in Ukrainian or Eastern European history generally, but also... Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2009 by Bookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential
Anna Reid writes about the Ukraine with the scholar's understanding but also with a genuine love of the country. Read more
Published on 14 Nov 2009 by Peter Marshall
4.0 out of 5 stars
A romantics view of the Ukraine?
Borderland is a very entertaining read. Anna Reid is a Scottish lady who studied Russia and Russian at the School of Slavonic Studies (SSEES)in London. Read more
Published on 15 April 2009 by P. Andrews
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