Current, clear, and uncluttered, this trio on the war in the Ukraine provides young readers with the background knowledge they need to understand one of the most pressing current events in global politics. The Unprovoked War presents clear background on how the Ukraine and Russia have been historically entwined, before delving into the contemporary Ukrainian political landscape. This context effectively articulates why the war happened then investigates the conflict itself. Next, the paired biographies of Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlight radically different approaches toward leadership and governance. While young people might know Putin as a vaguely terrifying despot, Allen’s biography of the man provides the grisly details of Putin’s rise for power and relentless authoritarian methods of controlling the Russian population. If Putin is a solid villain, then Nardo’s take on Zelenskyy centers his humanity and shows his growth from an enterprising law student turned comedian into a savvy, stalwart leader. His quick wit is consistently inspiring. Sidebars highlight primary source quotations and influential articles; while the photographs are relatively few, some do show the brutal aftermath of war. A useful list of organizations and websites and a solid index succeeds the main text. VERDICT Accessible, detailed, alternately terrifying and inspiring, these reference books on the war in Ukraine are a welcome alternative for students seeking something beyond Wikipedia.—Katherine Magyarody

An overview of the causes and (until mid-2022) course of the 21st-century’s largest European war to date.
Having only two maps—and those political rather than military—and little to no specific information about either side’s forces, arms, tactics, or strategy, this work is stronger on broader historical context than details of actual battles or other recent events. Still, the author does a creditable job of distilling limited source material into a coherent narrative. Following an introduction and timeline showing events from February through July 2022, he traces the origins of Russia and Ukraine from their ninth-century origins on, pointing in particular to the latter’s large Russian-speaking minority as an ongoing cause of conflict and to Putin’s consistent opposition to Ukraine’s joining NATO as a more immediate one. He casts the invasion as a David and Goliath scenario in which tenacious Ukrainian troops and militia, led by their unexpectedly courageous president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have held their own against the huge but ineffective armies of a blustering strongman and won victories on land and sea despite massacres and other war crimes. After general remarks on sanctions and other international reactions to the invasion, Blohm leaves off, as he must, with the two sides at a stalemate. Events have already passed this by, but it may be useful for assigned reports or general background. (photo credits, source notes, organizations and websites, further research, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)