Clear, lively, and not afraid to be controversial: a stimulating anatomisation of Russia's poisonous relationship with the West, Ukraine, and its own dark past.

Anna Reid, author of Borderland: A Journey through the History of Ukraine and A Nasty Little War

This is a very important account of the build-up to Russia's invasions of Ukrainian territory. Most books and articles on the Russia-Ukraine war are very one-sided; the great merit of this book is that the Sixsmiths take a long historical perspective and enable the reader to appreciate the aspirations of both sides. The authors focus on the defects of Western societies as well as on those of Russia. This is a study that needs to be taken into account when we try to understand the lessons of the war.

Geoffrey Hosking, Emeritus Professor of Russian History, University College London

A fascinating and highly readable account of the background to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, informed by Martin Sixsmith's long involvement with the region since his days as a BBC correspondent covering the last days of the Soviet Union.

Peter Conradi, author of Who Lost Russia? From the Collapse of the USSR to Putin's War on Ukraine

A tremendous study of how Putin has tragically manipulated national myths for personal gain and revanchist patriotism.

Starred Review, Kirkus Review