The Gates of Europe_A History of Ukraine
Key Data
- Author: Serhii Plokhy
- Published: 2015 (original), 2021 (extended edition)
- Summary available: here
- Purchase link: here
- Finished reading on: 16.02.2025
Content
The book traces the history of Ukrainian lands from ancient Greek times to 2019, exploring political, cultural, and economic developments while focusing on the broader historical narrative.
Why Did I Read It?
My interest in Ukrainian history grew due to the ongoing conflict, leading me to purchase Serhii Plokhy’s The Russo-Ukrainian War. While reading it, I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of Ukraine’s historical context. After engaging with supplementary materials, I decided to buy The Gates of Europe.
Main Takeaways
This book significantly expanded my knowledge of Ukrainian history, connecting scattered facts into a cohesive narrative while adding crucial context. Some key insights include:
- The immense regional diversity within Ukraine.
- The evolution of Ukrainian nationalism through multiple stages, shaped by different strategies and its remarkable adaptability in the face of challenges.
- How modern Ukrainian identity has been influenced by the struggle to break away from empires, regionalism, and, ultimately, the unifying force of war.
- The European dimension of the conflict, with the epilogue making a strong case that this war will determine the future of Europe.
- The framing of the war as a "Clash of Civilizations," with the "Russian World" positioning itself in opposition to the West.
Criticisms
- The book’s complexity, both in subject matter and sentence structure, sometimes made it difficult to follow, leaving me unsure which actions should be attributed to which actor.
- The "Further Reading" section, while extensive, is of limited usefulness. It merely categorizes sources by chapter without additional context, making it difficult to identify the most relevant materials for deeper exploration.