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santahawk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.5
sydsnot71's review against another edition
5.0
This is an excellent journalistic account of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It's obviously a tiny bit out of date so some of the more recent events aren't covered, although I expect an updated version at some point in 2023.
Harding is a Guardian journalist with extensive experience of covering Russia - from where he was unceremoniously banned as Putin's grip became increasingly dictatorial. It doesn't just cover events of the war itself but the events leading up to it and tries to explain some of Putin's motivations. It emphasises that Putin and his comrades expected the invasion to be a walk in the park and when it wasn't they found themselves totally unable to deal with it in any ways except increasing violence.
The best thing about the book though is that Harding uses lets people talk about their experiences. Not just Ukrainians but Russians who have opposed Putin. You get to hear the voices of people on the ground. On the receiving end of Russian occupation.
I really recommend it. It's a well-researched and sharply written account that I'm sure will be followed up with not just by Harding but other journalists. There's a lot to be said for journalistic training being a valuable tool for explaining complicated events in clear ways - when they want to. But then I always loved AJP Taylor whose history writing was influenced by his journalistic writing.
Harding is a Guardian journalist with extensive experience of covering Russia - from where he was unceremoniously banned as Putin's grip became increasingly dictatorial. It doesn't just cover events of the war itself but the events leading up to it and tries to explain some of Putin's motivations. It emphasises that Putin and his comrades expected the invasion to be a walk in the park and when it wasn't they found themselves totally unable to deal with it in any ways except increasing violence.
The best thing about the book though is that Harding uses lets people talk about their experiences. Not just Ukrainians but Russians who have opposed Putin. You get to hear the voices of people on the ground. On the receiving end of Russian occupation.
I really recommend it. It's a well-researched and sharply written account that I'm sure will be followed up with not just by Harding but other journalists. There's a lot to be said for journalistic training being a valuable tool for explaining complicated events in clear ways - when they want to. But then I always loved AJP Taylor whose history writing was influenced by his journalistic writing.
domenicar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
_askthebookbug's review against another edition
4.0
“Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.” - Ernest Hemingway
22 Feb 22 recorded the highest number of weddings in so many countries round the globe. Popularly called as “Lucky Twosday”, expecting parents thronged gynaecologists for planning their babies’ delivery on this Tuesday. However, Putin and his friends had other plans for the Lucky Twosday: To wage a war against Ukraine. Luke Harding so poignantly covers what happened before and after of 22/2/22.
I half-expectedly started this book with the notion that the book is all but an account of events. It was, and it was more than that. It is about how a man blinded by a belief, decides to wreck a home - in this case, Ukraine. It is about how a former TV actor-turned-President and his people, stood up to the second largest Army in the world. It is also about resilience, patriotism and the shattering of a whim that fire-power can pin down the grit of a common man.
It is more than 16 months since Russia invaded Ukraine and about 7 months since this book was published. The war still goes on. So is it relevant? Undoubtedly, yes. For the book is not a mere second-hand journalism reportage. The author explains why Putin did what he did, how he amassed and brain washed 17 year old boys to war, and how he expected the people of Ukraine to welcome his soldiers with open arms (which grossly misfired). He also explains how Zelenskyy stood his ground, the people’s love for Ukraine and what lies ahead. Both the countries have been at war since the 17th century but Luke Harding’s Invasion is significant, for Putin’s war is homogenous to Hitler’s. Genocide - a word that can be associated with both.
22 Feb 22 recorded the highest number of weddings in so many countries round the globe. Popularly called as “Lucky Twosday”, expecting parents thronged gynaecologists for planning their babies’ delivery on this Tuesday. However, Putin and his friends had other plans for the Lucky Twosday: To wage a war against Ukraine. Luke Harding so poignantly covers what happened before and after of 22/2/22.
I half-expectedly started this book with the notion that the book is all but an account of events. It was, and it was more than that. It is about how a man blinded by a belief, decides to wreck a home - in this case, Ukraine. It is about how a former TV actor-turned-President and his people, stood up to the second largest Army in the world. It is also about resilience, patriotism and the shattering of a whim that fire-power can pin down the grit of a common man.
It is more than 16 months since Russia invaded Ukraine and about 7 months since this book was published. The war still goes on. So is it relevant? Undoubtedly, yes. For the book is not a mere second-hand journalism reportage. The author explains why Putin did what he did, how he amassed and brain washed 17 year old boys to war, and how he expected the people of Ukraine to welcome his soldiers with open arms (which grossly misfired). He also explains how Zelenskyy stood his ground, the people’s love for Ukraine and what lies ahead. Both the countries have been at war since the 17th century but Luke Harding’s Invasion is significant, for Putin’s war is homogenous to Hitler’s. Genocide - a word that can be associated with both.
longl's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good primer if you haven't been following the Russo-Ukrainian War. If you have, and if you're looking for new insight, this may not be the work for you. I did learn a lot more the history of this conflict and the more direct human stories that Harding embeds within it.
benrogerswpg's review against another edition
4.0
Xi's Best Friend
If you're interested in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, then this is an absolute must-read.
This book provides an incredibly detailed and insightful account of the events leading up to the war, as well as the war itself, from the perspective of those on the ground.
What I loved about this book was how well-researched it was. Harding delves deep into the history of the region, tracing the roots of the conflict back to the Soviet era, and he provides a clear and compelling analysis of Putin's "motivations" for invading Ukraine.
The book also provides a sobering account of the impact that the war has had on the Ukrainian people, from the civilian casualties to the ongoing displacement of people from their homes.
One of the most striking things about the book is the resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of such adversity. Harding provides a detailed account of the various forms of resistance that have emerged, from the volunteers fighting on the front lines to the artists and musicians who are using their platforms to raise awareness about the war.
Overall, I highly recommend "Invasion" for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of this ongoing conflict. It's a sobering and at times heartbreaking read, but it's also an important one.
4.1/5
If you're interested in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, then this is an absolute must-read.
This book provides an incredibly detailed and insightful account of the events leading up to the war, as well as the war itself, from the perspective of those on the ground.
What I loved about this book was how well-researched it was. Harding delves deep into the history of the region, tracing the roots of the conflict back to the Soviet era, and he provides a clear and compelling analysis of Putin's "motivations" for invading Ukraine.
The book also provides a sobering account of the impact that the war has had on the Ukrainian people, from the civilian casualties to the ongoing displacement of people from their homes.
One of the most striking things about the book is the resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of such adversity. Harding provides a detailed account of the various forms of resistance that have emerged, from the volunteers fighting on the front lines to the artists and musicians who are using their platforms to raise awareness about the war.
Overall, I highly recommend "Invasion" for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of this ongoing conflict. It's a sobering and at times heartbreaking read, but it's also an important one.
4.1/5
kennethjohnston9's review against another edition
4.0
This obviously isn't a complete account, but serves its purpose fairly well. Above all else, this is supposed to be timely and it is, covering a war that started in February, has a writing cut-off of September, and was in-print in November. If you're looking for a book that conveys the tone of the war with decent (but not exhaustive details) this is a good place to start.
It's somewhat chronological, but there is plenty of jumping around to focus on various areas or themes, like Mariupol or Zelenskyy's rise. There is plenty of first-hand reporting with good access to prominent Ukrainians and everyday civilians and frontline soldiers. All the emotions are there, the anger and despair and hope of a besieged people.
The biggest weakness is the military details. Not a huge deal for most readers, but some of the writing in the first third is odd or incorrect. Some of the equipment is wrong or even completely made up (in one uncorrected quote). Really not a huge hurdle, but for a military audience, some parts might read like describing a basketball game with soccer terminology. The final third is much better in terms of accuracy, with excellent coverage of major Ukrainian military successes in the second half of the year.
Oh, and there is a bizarre section where Harding compares the bombing of a civilian population to Nazi bombings. No mention or distinction between Allied bombing of civilians in Dresden or Tokyo, so it feels like a bizarre overcorrection in order to tie Russian behavior to the Nazis. If you're going to make that point, no issue, but don't do it by omission.
There will be better books on this conflict, but this is a solid jumping off point.
It's somewhat chronological, but there is plenty of jumping around to focus on various areas or themes, like Mariupol or Zelenskyy's rise. There is plenty of first-hand reporting with good access to prominent Ukrainians and everyday civilians and frontline soldiers. All the emotions are there, the anger and despair and hope of a besieged people.
The biggest weakness is the military details. Not a huge deal for most readers, but some of the writing in the first third is odd or incorrect. Some of the equipment is wrong or even completely made up (in one uncorrected quote). Really not a huge hurdle, but for a military audience, some parts might read like describing a basketball game with soccer terminology. The final third is much better in terms of accuracy, with excellent coverage of major Ukrainian military successes in the second half of the year.
Oh, and there is a bizarre section where Harding compares the bombing of a civilian population to Nazi bombings. No mention or distinction between Allied bombing of civilians in Dresden or Tokyo, so it feels like a bizarre overcorrection in order to tie Russian behavior to the Nazis. If you're going to make that point, no issue, but don't do it by omission.
There will be better books on this conflict, but this is a solid jumping off point.