Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Ukrainian President and Unlikely Hero
From the Set Current Topics by ReferencePoint
When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, Ukraine's relatively young and inexperienced president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, immediately marshalled his nation's military forces. From that moment forward, Zelenskyy has displayed remarkable courage and resolve in the face of a brutal and larger, more well-equipped foe. He speaks nightly to his people, millions of whom have been displaced by the war. He visits Ukrainian soldiers on the frontlines. He reaches out to nations worldwide for weapons and other aid. He uses social media to combat Russian lies. This book explores how Zelenskyy, a former comedian and television personality, has become an unlikely hero--to his people and to the world.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Ukrainian President and Unlikely Hero - School Library Journal
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
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Ukrainian President and Unlikely Hero - Kirkus
A panegyric profile of Ukraine’s Putin-defying president.
Expertly whipping a few morsels of information drawn exclusively from English-language news stories and recent interviews into a puff pastry of praise, Nardo tracks his subject’s career from law student to stand-up comedian, dancer, and popular media star—playing, in one TV show, an idealistic high school teacher who is catapulted into the presidency on the strength of a viral video rant. Apparently widely identified with that character, he went on to win a real presidential election in 2019 and, along with taking on corrupt oligarchs, responded to the Russian invasion in February 2022 by unexpectedly proving himself to be very effective at leading with great resolve the defense of his country and inviting, the author notes, comparisons with Winston Churchill in the Second World War. And if this account only covers events up to early July 2022 and so leaves off with the invasion’s outcome much in doubt, it vigorously argues the case that Zelenskyy, who is conscious of the world’s gaze and the importance of defending democracy, is the right person for this role. Unlike the skimpy assortment of public photos showing him posing in war zones or with his wife (but not children) and various world leaders, the backmatter offers young hero worshippers and report writers sources and resources aplenty.Timely but neither judicious nor able to offer much historical perspective. (source notes, timeline, further research, index, picture credits) (Biography. 12-18)
Author: Don Nardo
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