Ukraine: Then and Now

Stewart, Gail B. Ukraine: Then and Now. 2015. 80p. ISBN 978-1-6015-2708-0. Available at 947.7 STE on the library shelves.

The history of Ukraine is littered with tragedies and misery for the people who live there. Always divided among the powers that surround it, Ukraine has only recently achieved independence, but the country remains in the news due to its conflict with Russia, its poor management and its corruption.

Squeezed between Poland to the West and Russia to the East, Ukraine has had a hard history. Conquered by one, then the other, Ukraine finally broke away from the Soviet Union in 1991 and obtained independence. But two currents within the country threaten to tear it apart. Ethnic Ukrainians lean towards Europe, while ethnic Russians, who live in the eastern section of Ukraine, have more affinity with Russia than their compatriots to the west. This ethnic cleavage is at the root of the current conflict.

This book discusses the history and the politics of Ukraine, recent economic prospects and development, the social fabric, and the challenges that still lay ahead as it tethers on the brink of civil war.

This is a great read to learn more about a region of the world most Americans are unfamiliar with. Other books in this series include Baltic States, Central Asian States, Russian Federation, and South Caucasus.