The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine from the Scythian Wars to Independence

For readers aged 16+

The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine from Scythian Wars to Independence is a fundamental study by Harvard University Professor Serhii Plokhy, in which the author engagingly and accessibly recounts Ukrainian history from the time of Herodotus to the Russian-Ukrainian war in the East.

The idea for "The Gates of Europe" emerged during the events of 2013-2014. At that time, global interest in Ukraine significantly increased, but there was no single book that covered approximately 2000 years and the current political situation. Plokhy decided that he had to create this study. During his presentation to the publisher, the author stated that he aimed to create such a concise text that "The Gates of Europe" could be bought and read during a flight from New York to Kyiv. It turned out a little longer, but there is no better book for a first acquaintance with the history of Ukraine. In 2018, "The Gates of Europe" received the Shevchenko Prize in journalism. This was recognition that Serhii Plokhy offered a universal approach to telling Ukraine's story: the book was initially published in English and intended for a Western audience. The study gained recognition there and then won over Ukrainian readers.