Yaroslav Hrytsak

This book examines the diary of a “common man,” Kostiantyn Sambursky, that stands out among the very few such known works. It provides a detailed account of daily events for almost 30 years in one village: Huzhivka in the Chernihiv province. The author recorded his experiences daily. Although he travelled to Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv, his focus is Huzhivka and settlements in an approximate 35-mile radius around it. Entries provide details about his education, work, neighbors, and life in surrounding settlements, together with asides, sometimes several pages long, on the history of nearby villages. The diary describes the comings and goings of rival armies, confiscations, requisitions, the activities of the local officials, the role of the church in local affairs, personal rivalries, and how land re-allocation occurred in this settlement of approximately 3,000 people. The diary provides invaluable insight into the human element of rural revolutionary Ukraine. It dwells on topics understandably glossed over or not mentioned at all in the historiography of the revolutionary decade.

'Both pioneering and fundamental. This is the essential history of Ukraine, from one of the greatest Ukrainian thinkers and scholars.' Timothy Snyder #1 New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of On Tyranny 'Ukrainian historian Yaroslav Hrytsak's vivid, sweeping book lays bare the enduring pride that persuaded his countrymen to resist Russian aggression and offers grounds for hope.' Luke Harding, Observer 'People and nations are forged in the fires of adversity.' John Adams UKRAINE The Forging of a Nation delves into the events that led to the creation of Ukraine, examining crucial moments of Ukrainian and world history and how connected they have been, and continue to be, to this day. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the world witnessed the 'creative, freewheeling, darkly humorous, and deeply resilient society' of contemporary Ukraine, and discovered more about a country with a history that is 'exceptionally rich in examples of survival, solidarity and resilience.' In this timely and original history, already a bestseller in Ukraine, Professor Yaroslav Hrytsak, Ukrainian intellectual and public historian, tells the sweeping story of his nation through a meticulous examination of the major events, conflicts and developments that have shaped it over the course of centuries, exploring Ukraine's dramatic history, incredible fight for freedom and its place as an independent nation in our world today. This book is a definitive story of Ukraine and its people, as told by one of its most celebrated voices.

This book views the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity, from a broad systemic perspective, as an ongoing process in which societal, economic, political, and institutional developments are intertwined. The Euromaidan and further developments, especially the Russian aggression, accelerated the westward reorientation of the economy, strengthened institutional checks and balances (for instance, through decentralization), changed the main social cleavage from an ethnolinguistic one to a division between urban creative and “oligarchic” classes, reshaped identity towards formation of a political nation, and increased the role of modernizing forces, especially civil society. However, so far, the Revolution has failed to bring about, despite some progress, a critical mass of changes regarding the rule of law while much of the economy remains rent-oriented. If modernizing forces are prudently managed, Ukraine has a chance to move forward on an evolutionary path. Otherwise, new conflicts are possible.

'Both pioneering and fundamental. This is the essential history of Ukraine, from one of the greatest Ukrainian thinkers and scholars.' Timothy Snyder #1 New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of On Tyranny 'Ukrainian historian Yaroslav Hrytsak's vivid, sweeping book lays bare the enduring pride that persuaded his countrymen to resist Russian aggression and offers grounds for hope.' Luke Harding, Observer With 'ambition and originality... [this is written with both an] honesty and common sense that are the book's trademark.' Financial Times 'People and nations are forged in the fires of adversity.' John Adams UKRAINE The Forging of a Nation delves into the events that led to the creation of Ukraine, examining crucial moments of Ukrainian and world history and how connected they have been, and continue to be, to this day. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the world witnessed the 'creative, freewheeling, darkly humorous, and deeply resilient society' of contemporary Ukraine, and discovered more about a country with a history that is 'exceptionally rich in examples of survival, solidarity and resilience.' In this timely and original history, already a bestseller in Ukraine, Professor Yaroslav Hrytsak, Ukrainian intellectual and public historian, tells the sweeping story of his nation through a meticulous examination of the major events, conflicts and developments that have shaped it over the course of centuries, exploring Ukraine's dramatic history, incredible fight for freedom and its place as an independent nation in our world today. This book is a definitive story of Ukraine and its people, as told by one of its most celebrated voices.

'A wonderful little book of recipes and stories' - NIGELLA LAWSON'History, stories, recipes and beautiful illustrations' - OLIA HERCULES'Christmas brings the indestructibility of hope in times of the greatest hopelessness. As long as we celebrate this holiday, we can neither be defeated nor destroyed. This is the message that Ukraine is trying to convey to the world. And this is what our book is about.'From Christmas music to gifts and food, as well as a look back through the country's rich and troubled history through the perspective of the festive season, this beautifully illustrated and powerful book introduces readers to Ukraine's unique Christmas traditions. In a country where East and West meet, this is a fascinating and unmissable guide to capturing the spirit of one of the most important times of year and a powerful reminder of the strength of holding on to your culture and beliefs, even as others try to take everything from you.'Sings of the independence of Ukraine yet ensures you feel the connecting hand of warmth, understanding, and friendship ... So profoundly meaningful and powerful, A Ukrainian Christmas ensures that you never lose sight of the true meaning of these festivities and how important they are in the lives of so many people' - LOVEREADING'Richly illustrated ... from Christmas music to gifts and food, it introduces readers to festive traditions followed in Ukraine' - Caroline Sanderson, THE BOOKSELLERThe Publisher is making a donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal on publication of this book.

The combination of the global and the local is an urgent need for those who trying to find a way out of the crisis of modernity. The book offers such an approach to modern Ukraine. The country was formed along with the darkest sides of globalisation associated with mass violence. However, the past is not a prison. It always leaves room for choice.

In this Ukrainian bestseller, now available in English for the first time, Yaroslav Hrytsak examines the first three decades (1856–86) in the life of Ivan Franko, a prominent writer, scholar, journalist, and political activist who became an indisputable leader in the forging of modern Ukrainian national identity. Hrytsak does so against the background of small communities—Franko’s family, his native village, his colleagues, the editors of periodicals for which he worked, and the revolutionary circles with which he interacted—during a time when multi-ethnic Habsburg Galicia evolved into several modern nations. This volume will remain a recognized standard for the study of the history of Ukraine and East Central Europe.