Ukraine is Europe's second state and this lavishly illustrated volume provides a concise and easy to read historical survey of the country from earliest times to the present. Each of the book's forty-six chapters is framed by a historical map, which graphically depicts the key elements of the chronological period or theme addressed within. In addition, the entire text is accompanied by over 300 historic photographs, line drawings, portraits, and reproductions of books and art works, which bring the rich past of Ukraine to life.

Rather than limiting his study to an examination of the country's numerically largest population - ethnic Ukrainians - acclaimed scholar Paul Robert Magocsi emphasizes the multicultural nature of Ukraine throughout its history. While ethnic Ukrainians figure prominently, Magocsi also deals with all the other peoples who live or who have lived within the borders of present-day Ukraine: Russians, Poles, Jews, Crimean Tatars, Germans (including Mennonites), and Greeks, among others. This book is not only an indispensable resource for European area and Slavic studies specialists; it is sure to appeal to people interested in having easy access to information about political, economic, and cultural development in Ukraine.

Paul Robert Magocsi, FRSC, is professor of history and political science and holds the John Yaremko Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Toronto.

Paul Robert Magocsi's profile page

“Essential reading for anyone interested in European history and commerce.”

The Federal Lawyer

“This well-written and handsome volume must be thoroughly recommended for anyone with an interest in Ukraine.”

Winnipeg Free Press

“[Magocsi’s] cartographic and bibliographic skills are superb, and his instinct for what readers need and want is unerring ... This is, in sum, a well crafted, much needed, extremely useful text.”

Canadian Slavonic Papers

“Robert Magocsi has remarkably succeeded in producing in one volume a well-written and interestingly illustrated volume of the history of Ukraine.”

The Russian Review

‘Magocsi has produced a carefully written and thoughtfully compiled volume, the first true illustrated history of Ukraine in a great many years and the first of its kind in English language.’

The Russian Review