I want to dive deeper into the war in Ukraine and understand it beyond the headlines. Looking for well researched books that offer real insight into the conflict whether through analysis, firsthand accounts, or investigative reporting. Any recommendations?
by speedings
5 Comments
There is no book, but read Michael Kofman’s articles for military aspects of the war.
Nicholas Edward Laidlaw
What War Did To Us: Ukraine
American Marine Corps veteran who joined the fight in Ukraine recounts the first 150 days of the war. Look him up on instagram too.
“Firsthand accounts of courage, cowardice, humor, and terror from the first 150 days of the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian War. Over 300 accounts from witnesses and participants of both sides tell their story in vivid and terrifying detail. This is the oral history of the most extreme of human experiences: War”.
So I haven’t read either of these books I’m about to suggest, but…
Check out Andrey Kurkov, a Ukrainian novelist who has published his diaries from the conflict. “Ukraine Diaries” is about the 2014 conflict that preceded the Crimean takeover and the current war. I at least own this book and read part of it before getting distracted, so that’s why I feel okay suggesting it. He’s got another book “Diary of an Invasion” that’s on my wishlist.
He’s an interesting author, and I’d definitely recommend checking out his novels if you’re into fiction. “Death and the Penguin” and “Grey Bees” are the ones I’ve read and recommend.
It’s an older book but it gives a lot of good background on the political mentalities fueling Russia (and now the United States): *The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America* by Timothy Snyder
It was published in 2018 so it predates the current conflict, but the framework Snyder offers is more relevant than ever.
Night train to Odesa by Jen Stout is good