The Zelensky Effect, Olga Onuch
The Zelensky Effect, Olga Onuch
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The Zelensky Effect

Author: Olga Onuch, Henry E. Hale

Narrator: Teri Schnaubelt

Unabridged: 9 hr 4 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 09/05/2023


Synopsis

With Russian shells raining on Kyiv and tanks closing in, American forces prepared to evacuate Ukraine's leader. Just three years earlier, his apparent main qualification had been playing a president on TV. But Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly retorted, 'I need ammunition, not a ride.' Ukrainian forces won the battle for Kyiv, ensuring their country's independence even as a longer war began for the southeast.

You cannot understand the historic events of 2022 without understanding Zelensky. But the Zelensky effect is less about the man himself than about the civic nation he embodies: what makes Zelensky most extraordinary in war is his very ordinariness as a Ukrainian.

The Zelensky Effect explains this paradox, exploring Ukraine's national history to show how its now-iconic president reflects the hopes and frustrations of the country's first 'independence generation'. Interweaving social and political background with compelling episodes from Zelensky's life and career, this is the story of Ukraine told through the journey of one man who has come to symbolize his country.

About Olga Onuch

Olga Onuch is senior lecturer in politics at the University of Manchester.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Claire on June 16, 2023

This book was useful for understanding more about Ukraine today and for cutting through some of the contradictory messaging in the media with extensive data to back up their claims. At times I thought it was perhaps a little sympathetic towards Zelensky, occasionally pointing out criticisms but then......more

Goodreads review by Pavlo on May 06, 2024

At least this was written by authors who know what they're talking about, for a change; these two have been studying Ukraine for decades (Yes, I'm looking at... fine, let's not mention names... authors who very DON'T know what they're talking about) True, this book is somewhat enamored of its protagon......more

Goodreads review by Hana on December 25, 2022

Recommended reading not just for people who want to understand modern Ukraine, but also for those fascinated with democracy and nation-building. Onuch and Hale support conclusions with numerical data and are not afraid to call out biases and preconceived notions of related parties.......more

Goodreads review by Grace on March 18, 2025

Extremely informative and well-researched. While this is an academic text, it remains accessible and engaging. I may be biased since the author is my lecturer, but the book provides great insight into this crisis.......more

Goodreads review by Logan on April 01, 2024

One of the authors (Hale) came and spoke to our class but I was on zoom so I was kind of checked out. Much better than the Putin or Navalny books......more