The Gates of Europe

Clear and elegant... an indispensable guide to the tragic history of a great European nation -- David Blair * Sunday Telegraph * A fast-moving history, full of prompts and nuggets... a strong rebuttal of the arrogant assumptions of the Putin court that Ukraine, though intrinsically part of the greater Russian nation, is culturally inferior, weaker and compromised -- Roger Boyes * The Times * Admirable... In his elegant and careful exposition of Ukraine's past, Mr Plokhy has also provided some signposts to the future * Economist * An assured and authoritative survey that spans ancient Greek times to the present day -- Tony Barber * Financial Times * Plokhy's careful, engaging history is a series of stories about a spectral nation, one that has appeared and disappeared down the ages... If sense ever prevails, Plokhy's fine book should find its way to Vladimir Putin's desk, if only to show the imperialist that Ukraine itself is far from done, and will not be extinguished -- Ian Bell * Herald Scotland *