Simon Shuster

This is an objective description not only of Zelensky, whom the author met as early as 2019 before Zelensky was elected president, but also of the first year of the Russian invasion - at that time nobody could imagine that the war would continue this long.

Mr. Shuster, himself, was born in Ukraine, having immigrated to US with his parents when a child, so he knows the language, and it was easier for him that way as well.

He shadowed Zelensky and talked to many of his associates (and opposition too) throughout the first year of the war. I was touched by the description of my native Kyiv, as well as Shuster's general assessment of the war, of the political scenery in Kyiv and all over the world, regarding the invasion. He shows that Zelensky never pretended to be a great military leader - he didn't have the training for that. But what he is good at is getting the attention of the world in describing the terrible tragedy that has befallen Ukraine. Thanks to him, and of course thanks to the western alliance (without them there would have been no hope), there is still help getting in to fight off the Russians. Shuster also noticed and portrayed how the war has changed Zelensky as a person. A very engrossing read, certainly deserving attention.… (mere)