Zelensky A biography

Serhiĭ Rudenko, 1970-

Book - 2022

Three years after the political novice Volodymyr Zelensky was elected to Ukraine's highest office, he found himself catapulted into the role of war-time leader. The former comedian has become the public face of his country's courageous and bloody struggle against a brutal invasion. Born to Jewish parents in central Ukraine, Zelensky campaigned for the presidency in the 2019 election on the promise to restore trust in politics. After his landslide victory, he told jubilant supporters 'I will never let you down.' Little did he know that he would be called upon to serve his people in the most demanding circumstances imaginable, fighting for the very survival of his country in the worst war on European soil since 1945. Zelen...sky's leadership in the face of Russia's aggression is an inspiration to everyone who stands opposed to the appalling violence being unleashed on Ukraine. This book tells his astonishing story.

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Subjects
Genres
Biographies
Published
Cambridge, UK : Polity Press [2022]
Language
English
Ukrainian
Main Author
Serhiĭ Rudenko, 1970- (author)
Other Authors
Michael M. Naydan, 1952- (translator), Alla Perminova
Item Description
Translated from the Ukrainian.
Physical Description
xiv, 208 pages : map ; 23 cm
ISBN
9781509556380
  • Abbreviations
  • Preface: Zelensky's Political Oscar
  • 1. Ten Assassination Attempts on President Zelensky
  • 2. The Campaign for President
  • 3. "Let It Be the Stadium Then!"
  • 4. Zelensky and Forty-Two Million Presidents
  • 5. Devirtualization of Servant of the People
  • 6. A Mad Printer for the President
  • 7. Trump's Impeachment
  • 8. Vice-President Bohdan
  • 9. The Cosmic Year of 1978
  • 10. The Irreplaceable Yuliya Mendel
  • 11. Look into the Eyes of Putin and ...
  • 12. The Amateur on an Electric Scooter
  • 13. A Little Bell for Maslyakov
  • 14. Godfather Rodnyansky
  • 15. A Scandal in Jurmala
  • 16. The Family of Kvartal 95
  • 17. The Kadyrov Ordeal
  • 18. Ebony Rods
  • 19. Zelensky's Double
  • 20. Zelensky's Ceremonial General
  • 21. Zelensky's Shenr Brothers
  • 22. Kolomoisky's Knife
  • 23. Poroshenko on His Knees
  • 24. The Zelensky Collective
  • 25. Zelensky's Idol Syvokho
  • 26. The Polygraph for "Servants of the People"
  • 27. Who Turned Zelensky into an Addict?
  • 28. Zelensky under Yermak
  • 29. Zelensky's Dream Team
  • 30. Zelensky's Architect
  • 31. The Magic Number 95
  • 32. He Who Burdened Zelensky with the Presidency
  • 33. A Gagarin for Zelensky
  • 34. A Black Mirror for a Hero
  • 35. Zvirobiy, Fedyna, and a Victim
  • 36. Wagnergate: A Story with Many Unknowns
  • 37. How the Oligarch Akhmetov Prepared a Coup for Zelensky
  • 38. The Bucha Massacre
  • Epilogue: The President of War
  • Chronology
Review by Kirkus Book Review

A fast-paced biography of an unexpected world leader. In 38 short, zingy "episodes" that play on Zelensky's TV career before winning the presidency of Ukraine in April 2019, Ukrainian journalist and political commentator Rudenko explores his subject's life and important influences on the brash new leader, mostly before Russia's invasion in February 2022. A popular actor prior to his candidacy--he was especially beloved for his role as history teacher Vasyl Horoborodko, who becomes head of state in the film and TV series Servant of the People--Zelensky was elected by a landslide largely due to his youthful charisma, promises to upend the corrupt, Soviet-style oligarchy of incumbent Petro Poroshenko, and desire "to become the president of peace." Before his decision to join the campaign, the former comedian was not taken seriously. However, with help from his loyal backers at his TV production company, Kvartal 95 Studio, Zelensky proved to be an earnest, witty opponent who sounded themes of anti-corruption and pledges to find resolution in the Donbas war, concepts that resonated with the Ukrainian people. Although vowing not to get mired in the nepotism that plagued his predecessor, Zelensky surrounded himself with his trusted assistants from Kvartal 95 Studio, and as the author shows, during his rough first six months in office, he showed few signs of becoming a household name on the world stage for his bravery and dedication to his people. He had to navigate the entrenched bureaucracy of the prickly Ukrainian parliament, clean house, manage staff turnover, and survive extortion by then-President Donald Trump to dig up dirt on Hunter Biden. Though many of the people and events will be unfamiliar to non-Ukrainian readers, the author capably shows how Zelensky has displayed an astonishing transformation in the face of continued Russian aggression. An admiring but not uncritical first look for English-language readers. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.