Borderland tells the story of Ukraine. A thousand years ago it was the center of the first great Slav civilization, Kievan Rus. In 1240, the Mongol...
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Sep 18, 2011
Jan
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This is one of those books that if you write a review to it, you are likely to get counter-reviews from someone out there that belive you should have the same opinion on this book as they have.
As all the postings and appraisal of Anna Reid's book reflects this is a very good popular introduction to Ukrainian history. That is with stress on both *good*, *popular introduction* and *up to 1997*. If you have already read several histories of Ukraine, chances are slim you will find much new More...
As all the postings and appraisal of Anna Reid's book reflects this is a very good popular introduction to Ukrainian history. That is with stress on both *good*, *popular introduction* and *up to 1997*. If you have already read several histories of Ukraine, chances are slim you will find much new More...
Jul 22, 2009
This book is written by an outsider. Many of the negative reviews here are from aggrieved people looking for their version of Ukraine history. The author is not trying to promote one aggrieved party version of history. As an outsider like Anna Reid, I liked her approach. Its a small book covering a big topic, but the author does manage to paint a detailed picture of the sad 20th century in Ukrainian history. I read this book during my recent six weeks in the Ukraine. Ukrainians are digging out f
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Feb 16, 2008
King
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The pages of this book are far livelier than the two old guys on the cover. Author Anna Reid seamlessly blends history and travelogue, filling her pages with fun trivia ("...Admiral Paul Nakhimov...had been viewing the enemy batteries through a telescope, and his last words, before the instrument fell from his hands, were 'They're shooting better today' ") and anecdotes that suggest that Ms. Reid herself is a pretty fun gal ("Indubitable proof of the slim talents required to win f
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Feb 16, 2011
Pretty Girls Make Gravy
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As I’m part Ukrainian, I suppose I’m a bit more interested in Ukrainian history than the average person. And while this book may not be for everyone, even I was surprised that I couldn’t put it down. So if you’re one of those rare people that is looking to learn the heartbreaking, and depressing, history of an Eastern European country that you probably haven’t given much thought, this is the book for you. (read more at my blog on my favorite reads of 2010 www.prettygirlsmakegravy.com)
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Jan 07, 2011
Linda
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Loaned to me by our Kiev Temple president's wife. A sorrowful, even sickening history of Ukraine, wading through the atrocities inflicted upon Ukraine during the Soviet-forced starvation "famine" of the early 1930's and the Hitler invasion of WWII. Sad, sad, sad.
I look at the older Ukrainian people I see each day here in Kiev and wonder what their personal history is. How did they, or their parents or their parents' parents survive being here. One thing seems obvious. More...
I look at the older Ukrainian people I see each day here in Kiev and wonder what their personal history is. How did they, or their parents or their parents' parents survive being here. One thing seems obvious. More...
Feb 25, 2011
Gordon
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Concise and short history of the Ukraine, with short looks interspersed at the nation as of the mid-1990's when this book was written. Most of the modern sketches and last chapter were made obsolete by the Orange Revolution and events since then, the the historical background of the Ukraine and Ukrainians is an excellent introduction to the sad and bloody history of the nation, a history that makes the last 20 years, for all its drama, look like a paradise by comparison.
Sep 21, 2011
Anne
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While there are certainly some interesting facts on Ukrainian history in this book, the author's research is lacking. The first chapter skims over hundreds of years of Ukrainian history while offering no real insight into any era of it. Her observations of "present-day Ukraine," while interesting, are no longer representative of modern-day Ukraine, and the book is not even 5 years old. The book reads more like a journal article than a history book, which makes for quick reading, but th
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Mar 18, 2011
Kate
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There isn't really a better way to read a book about a country than to travel in the country while you're reading the book. I was fortunate in this, but even if you're not going to Ukraine any time soon, this is still an interesting book to read. Some parts were quite sad, and it allowed me see the cause behind some of the problems that still exist in the country today.
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Jan 09, 2012
Gary
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I throroughly enjoyed this look at this history of a country that I will be moving to in august. The author never lost my interest and kept you involved as she set a good pace for it. My only complaint was I would have loved to have gone into much more detail about certain events. The people of Ukraine have a very rich history and I highly recommend it.
Sep 12, 2010
I may never get hold of these books about the Ukraine, but are on my wishlist to remind me to look out for them. While the Ukraine interests me I am actually looking for books about preWW1 migrations into and from the Russian - Belarus area, so if anyone knows of any please let me know. (incl. biographies,histories,memoirs etc.) Thanks.
Mar 27, 2010
Alison
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This book is a history of the Ukraine, and was mostly boring but had a couple interesting anecdotes. It sounds like life has always been pretty tough. Apparently 1 in 6 people in the Ukraine died during the second world war. I do not know the full story of why my dad's parents left the Ukraine, but I am glad that they did.
Oct 14, 2008
Frank
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Reid writes with the intimate style of someone who has lived in the places she tells about. It also does not hurt that she was Kiev correspondent for The Economist. Her employment seems to have provider her with a great degree of access to all levels of Ukrainian society. Her brisk and insightful style is also informed years banging out copy for that most erudite of British magazines. Having just returned from Ukraine and possessing a woeful ignorance about the country's history, this book was a
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May 29, 2011
Mark
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This was a great read. Compelling in the writing and contextual - you forget you are taking in academic information as well. The writer captures the mood of constant struggle in Ukraine.
Jan 10, 2011
Sarah
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A good first Ukrainian history - light and very readable, with a fair bit of opinion. Some things to disagree with I think, but very palatable and encourages further reading.
Oct 02, 2009
Nick
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Fantastic book - spanned Ukrainian history from it's humble beginnings through it's tumultuous journey, especially through the end of the Soviet Union. The author kept things moving. A great introduction to the subject, a great spring board into the history of this fascinating region.
Aug 21, 2011
Meg - A Bookish Affair
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Once I knew that I was going to Ukraine, I started looking for books about Europe's largest country but much to my chagrin, there is not much to choose from and definitely not very many books that aren't sort of more academic books. Borderland is a wonderful book and definitely seeks to fill the void. I learned so much from this book and was even able to pass on some of what I learned to my friend who has lived in Ukraine for the past two years. This is Ukraine in easily digestible pieces.
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Apr 03, 2011
Daniel
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Excellent book, crafting the history of Ukraine into a journey of Ukrainian geography, culture and the modern day (or, at least, late 90s) independent Ukraine. A quick and easy read that left me far more informed than when I began.
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Aug 21, 2011
Barbara
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Ukrainians have suffered horribly over the centuries. Parts of this book are so hard to read but it also helped me to understand my Slavic heritage.
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Nov 18, 2007
Sam
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This book was amazingly well written, short, concise history of the Ukraine. From Kievian Rus to the mid 1990's.
Mar 24, 2008
Gillian
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Another sad and often-silly journey to the heart of the soviet error. Made many myself. Fun but serious.
Mar 24, 2008
People say my name should be Jeff
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This portrays Ukrainians in a too negative light for me to give it 5 stars.
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