Essential listening for this brutal war

Invasion is essential listening for anyone trying to understand this tragic, dangerous, never-should-have-happened, seemingly intractable war between Russia and Ukraine. Luke Harding is uniquely qualified as a highly respected journalist with many years of intimate first hand knowledge of both Russia and Ukraine, both their politics and leaders, and their people . This is the first book of reportage to be published from Ukraine covering events before the invasion and after up to late 2022. It is , however, chastening to see that the immediacy of Invasion has already been overtaken (although not diminished) by events over Christmas and this New Year 2023.

Invasion details in livid colour and detail the heart-rending human experience of Ukrainians under bombardment, terrorised in basements and metro stations, surviving and not surviving the hideous destruction of their families, homes, communities, towns and cities. With his recurrent cameos of human suffering, Harding makes us imagine the unimaginable.

But Invasion , which is outstandingly well written , is much more than a first hand account of a brutal war . Harding has lived in Russia and presents a clear analysis of the complex workings of Putin’s mind and psyche which led to the invasion. Did he, for example, choose February 24th for the day of the invasion because it is the birthday of Fyodor Ushakov, his 18th century hero naval commander ? His assessments of Zelensky are also shrewd: his extraordinary metamorphosis from a television actor-celebrity fictional president who became a real life President quickly winning a place on the global stage helped by his consciously Churchillian rhetoric. With these two leaders it is no surprise that , as the damaging effects of this conflagration ripple across the globe, Harding holds out no hope of a simple resolution, or indeed any at all.

In New Year 2024 will he be writing a follow-up to Invasion covering another year of brutal conflict? Tragically, it seems more than likely.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent contemporary history.

A journalistic flair, including first hand reporting, makes this writing of important contemporary history very engaging. Even if you have been following the news and know most of what is being written about this summary and analysis will help you make more sense of the year long war,

Extraordinarily well read too!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fascinating

Step by step, on the ground summary of the Russian invasion by veteran British journalist. Not easy listening but excellent

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Devastating account

I've closely followed the first year of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the Guardian and UK news media. It's become a daily horror story. This well written commentary and analysis provides even more structure and context to this unrelenting war. This, together with a number of other recent books I've read/ listened to about Russia and its president, confirms how corrupt and murderous Putin and his cronies are. Ukraine is fighting this war on behalf of us all in the West. It deserves and needs all the support and armaments we can provide. Russia must be stopped. Well narrated.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Human perspective of the ongoing conflict so far

Intriguing "big picture" of the equally tragic and heroic conflict so far. Contained lots of interesting human viewpoints to different aspects of the war, and many other things that are probably not so well known even to people such as me, who have monitored the news from this war very closely. Highly recommended!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Chilling but lived analysis

Excellent factual account of the failure to believe this tragedy was unfolding . Brave analysis and search for the verifiable truth without fear

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Devastating truth, such detailed understanding!

Phenomenal knowledge, great journalism, balanced view. How long will the determination of the Ukraine people last,

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Another book about Ukraine that is a must listen

Maybe it's an odd time to have a book out about the invasion of Ukraine, as the war continues, but despite closely following russia's brutal and horrifying war from the start it's incredible how much I'd forgotten. It's important to understand that although the front lines have on the whole stabilised there are many thousands of Ukrainians who remain in occupied lands and that what we know happened at the beginning of the war is still happening elsewhere. It's also important to remember who brave the Ukrainians are.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Vivid journalistic eyewitness description

The book is interesting and easy to read. It is clearly the work of a journalist, accustomed to providing vivid details with a strong personal dimension. There are plenty of striking characters and vignettes.
The strength in description is not matched by deep analysis. It is an action story rather than an analytical study. The style of writing is based on short sentences, which makes for accessibility at the cost of depth of ideas. The structure is episodic, again reflecting frequent, short journalistic pieces.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Excellent

As ever, an excellent book from Luke Harding, very well narrated.

This examines Putin's reasons for invading Ukraine, of the sheer evil of the actions of his troops and mercenaries, of how he has tried, and continues to try, to "play" the West.

Superb series of interviews with Ukrainian officials and ordinary people, brilliantly observed.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!