A book is a reliable advisor, it opens up unknown horizons for us, it teaches us to think. Reading develops our imagination and knowledge, and knowledge becomes our strength. It is extremely important to know the true history of the formation of the Ukrainian people, and not the distorted version imposed by the "older brother". We must study the history of our country in order to get rid of myths and have no illusions about future relations with the aggressor country. The history of Ukraine is one big book that every Ukrainian should read in order to realize their essence.
How history books help us understand the present
History books are exactly the thing that helps to understand the world around us in the best possible way . They allow us to learn about the secrets of the past, the moods of those times and how they correlate with the present. They serve as guides that connect events that have already become history with those that are happening today. It is like a portal to the past, which allows us to travel through different eras and see with our own eyes the events of past years.
In addition, such books are excellent for developing erudition, teaching us the tools for researching the past, understanding the moods and lives of our ancestors, as well as our place in the context of civilizational development.
How to choose a book about the history of Ukraine for yourself?
In fact, history books are extraordinary reading. They can be a bit difficult to digest, so it's worth focusing on your own interests and how deeply you know the topic or are willing to study it.
If you are the type of reader who wants to delve deeper into specific topics, books about specific eras or events will be useful. Maybe you are interested in the history of the Cossack era or the Second World War ? Then you can read not only historical notes, but also memoirs, letters and recollections of participants in the events, which will allow you to see history from the inside. In addition, pay attention to scientific studies, which will provide a deeper understanding through detailed analysis.
It's also important to consider the writing style of the book. Some authors offer a dry academic presentation, while others know how to make the story engaging even for beginners. Read the reviews or the synopsis to see if the style meets your needs.
Top 5 best books about Ukrainian history . Books about the history of Ukraine that are worth reading
We have prepared for you a small top of books about the history of Ukraine . These are the best books on the history of Ukraine that will help you learn well, and most importantly, objectively, about all the events and challenges that it faced.
1. “A history of Ukraine” (History of Ukraine in English). Oleksandr Mykhed. Publishing house “A-BA-BA-GA-LA-MA-GA”.
This book from our top offers a brief overview of the history of Ukraine from its ancient origins to the present day, revealing the difficult past of our country. It is designed to answer such questions as: what is Ukraine, a country that is currently at the center of world attention? How did Europe become what we know it to be today?
2. “Roman Shukhevych. The Life of a Legend.” Olesya Isayuk. Publishing House “Nash Format.”
This book tells the story of the life and activities of Roman Shukhevych, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) in 1943–1950. The author, historian Olesya Isayuk, carefully analyzes the biography of this outstanding figure in Ukrainian history , tracing his path from his birth in a famous family to the role of one of the leading figures of the liberation movement.
The publication is aimed at a wide audience interested in the history of Ukraine and the struggle for its independence in the mid-20th century. The book uses a variety of sources, including archival materials and testimonies, which allow for a deeper understanding of Shukhevych's personality and an assessment of his contribution to the liberation movement.
Olesya Isayuk is a PhD in Philosophy, a research associate at the Center for Studies of the Liberation Movement and the Lontskoho Prison Museum. She is the author of numerous scientific works and publications devoted to the history of Ukraine.
3. “UPA. History of the Unconquered.” Volodymyr Viatrovych, Ruslan Zabily, Igor Derevyanyi, Petro Sodol. Publishing House “Nash Format”.
The book "UPA: History of the Unconquered", created by Volodymyr Viatrovych, Ihor Derevyany, Ruslan Zabily and Petro Sodol, offers readers a deep dive into the history of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army's struggle for freedom and independence. The publication provides a structured and understandable account of events, supplemented by unique archival photographs, documents and testimonies of participants in the insurgent movement.
This book not only highlights historical facts, but also provides an opportunity to understand the role of the UPA in Ukrainian and world history. Thanks to a multi-level approach to presenting the material, the reader receives a holistic picture of the activities of the insurgents and their influence on the course of events of that era.
The authors , well-known researchers of Ukrainian history, have joined forces to create a unique publication. The book has become not only a source of knowledge about the past, but also an important tool for understanding the significance of the insurgent struggle in the context of modernity.
4. “Ukraine: Wars , Battles, Persons.” Yaroslav Trinchuk. “Apriori” Publishing House.
This book offers a new perspective on key events and figures in Ukrainian history, based on modern sociological and historical approaches. The author rejects outdated historical stereotypes and myths imposed on the Ukrainian people, which have hindered the development of national historical scholarship.
The text analyzes the motives of the actions of prominent historical figures, the course of wars and battles - both well-known and those that remained outside the attention of Soviet historiography. The basis of the author's approach is the desire to "heal" the history of the nation, separate the truth from distortions and create a stable immunity to hostile influences, which is embodied in his credo: "The highest art (and happiness) of the historian is to cure the history of the nation from all the diseases with which its enemies have infected it, and to protect it from infection itself."
5. “The True History of Ukraine-Rus” . Svyatoslav Semenyuk. “Apriori” Publishing House.
The book "The True History of Ukraine-Rus" gives children access to key stages in the history of our people, going beyond the well-known period of Kyivan Rus, which was distorted both during the time of Catherine II and in modern Putin's Russia. It is important to emphasize that scholars and travelers of the 10th century mentioned the existence of not only Kyivan Rus, but also two other Rus - Pomeranian (Slavia) and Danube (Artania or Horutania).
Unfortunately, our understanding of the true history of the Ukrainian people remains limited, as a number of events recounted in this book were deliberately hidden from the Ruthenian-Ukrainians by Russian and German historians.
Every nation should know its roots and the history of its state in order to avoid mistakes in building the future. Therefore, we advise you to familiarize yourself with these books about Ukraine that are worth reading , in order not only to know, but also to understand the past and present of our country.