Booklist

This entry in the Former Soviet Union: Then and Now series is a comprehensive look at Ukraine’s
turbulent history, from its foundation to its current state of unrest. Introduced with a time line and brief
overview of some of the challenges facing Ukraine today, the book is divided into five chapters focusing
on different aspects of the country’s history, creating a well-rounded study. Each chapter is augmented
with maps, photos, statistics, and fact boxes that highlight events of particular importance. Stewart does
not hold back when describing Ukraine’s harrowing history, whether explaining Stalin’s imposed famine
or the horrors of Chernobyl, but neither does she dwell on them unnecessarily. An excellent resource for
middle-school students and a valuable addition to any school library.