War and Punishment: The ultimate fate of Russia and Ukraine, along with Putin's distrust towards the West.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 is rooted in a long and complex history that spans centuries. Many people mistakenly believe the conflict began in 2014, but its origins can actually be traced back to the seventeenth century. The struggle began in 1648 when Ukrainian Cossacks revolted against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, coinciding with the conclusion of the Thirty Years' War. This pivotal event serves as the starting point for Mikhail Zygar's book, “War and Punishment: Putin, Zelensky, and the Path to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine.” Zygar guides the reader through significant moments in Ukraine’s history, from the seventeenth century through Catherine the Great's suppression of the Cossacks, a key figure in Russian history, to Stalin’s orchestration of the Holodomor, and Ukraine's involvement in World War II. The second part of the book covers Ukraine from the end of World War II to the Orange Revolution in 2004, and then to the Euromaidan protests a decade later, ultimately leading up to Russia’s invasion in 2022. While reading this book, I found myself re-reading certain pages and sections to fully grasp the information presented. One aspect I particularly enjoyed was how it helped me understand the Russian perspective on these historical events.
During the Orange Revolution, Putin was convinced that the West was pulling the strings behind it. This book powerfully highlights the profound distrust that Russians harbor towards the collective West, especially the United States. Along with the book review from Tuesday, these two works are essential for anyone seeking to understand the complex history of Ukraine and Russia, as well as the key events that have led to the conflict in Ukraine. I unequivocally deem this book a must-read, and I’m eager to buy and dive into Mikhail Zygar's other two books. Make sure to subscribe below to stay updated on all my posts! I trust you found this week’s book reviews insightful. If you have any books you want me to review, don’t hesitate to email me or message me on Instagram, and I’ll add them to my reading list. Next week, we’ll explore the shadowy world of organized crime in an area that most people wouldn’t recognize on a map, along with the CIA’s involvement in this intriguing tale.
Ukrainian cossack in 1884
Pictured below is Catherine the great
Ukrainian’s hung by the Nazis
