Invasion

The Inside Story of Russia's Bloody War and Ukraine's Fight for Survival

By: Luke Harding

Narrated by: Nicholas Guy Smith

Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times bestselling author of Collusion and The Snowden Files Luke Harding’s personal, frontline reporting on Russia’s harrowing invasion of Ukraine, the biggest news event of the year and an inflection point in international politics

“An excellent, moving account of an ongoing tragedy.” —Anne Applebaum, New York Times bestselling author of Twilight of Democracy

In a damning, inspiring, and breathtaking narrative of what is likely to be a turning point for Europe—and the world—Guardian correspondent and New York Times bestselling author Luke Harding reports firsthand on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. When, just before dawn on February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin launched a series of brutal attacks, Harding was there, on the ground in Kyiv. But this senseless violence was met with astounding resilience—from, among others, the country’s embattled president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy—and the courage of a people prepared to risk everything to preserve their nation’s freedom.

Here are piercing portraits of the leaders on both sides of this monumental struggle, a haunting depiction of the atrocities in Bucha and elsewhere, and an intimate glimpse into the ordinary lives being impacted by the biggest conflict in Europe since the Second World War. Harding captures this crucial moment in history with candor, insight, and an unwavering focus on the human stories that lie at its heart.

©2022 Luke Harding (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Harding is uniquely qualified to tell this story. . . . He’s a gifted storyteller, and his moment-by-moment reconstructions of the events in Bucha, and of the last stand of Mariupol’s Azovstal steel plant, stand out. . . . For all that Harding is inspired—as his readers probably will be, too—by the stories of Ukrainian resistance he tells, he never loses sight of the sickening tragedy that makes the sacrifices necessary.”—Joshua Keating, The Washington Post

“Harding’s new book, Invasion, chronicles the war and his experiences covering it, and analyzes the politics, strategies, and delusions behind it.”—NPR’s Fresh Air

“Gripping and often moving, the book is primarily journalistic but goes beyond mere reportage as Mr. Harding draws on his knowledge of the region and a background.”—The Wall Street Journal

A must read to understand an evil regime.

The story is good, and I love listening to a narrator who speaks proper English. British English. My only comment on the narrator is that he might be better off reading Miss Marple of fairy tail books for children. This book was narrated in a kind of romantic way that doesn't belong here. Not to the subject and time.

Telling History as it’s unfolding

Amazing the way he tells history as it’s unfolding is remarkable! The accuracy and truth behind his words makes this books read a reassurance that he’s not spreading propaganda or misinformation

An inspiring story richly told; a “page turner”

Harding’s background in English from Oxford radiates through this powerfully told story with its richly detailed descriptions of the settings of events. I listened to the whole compelling book on Audible in a few days.

Harding’s skill and experience as a war journalist comes through along with his many years of reporting from Russia and Ukraine. His wide range of sources from people on the street, those victimized by Russia’s war, the arts community, and high level government contacts provide many perspectives, and underline the common values and experiences that unite Ukrainians. He provides us the opportunity to hear the voices of dozens of ordinary Ukrainians describing their experiences of this brutal war.

Truly an inspiring story of survival in the face of a war of attempted genocide. In the end readers are left to form their own conclusions about the meaning of this war.

History of the Ukraine/Russian war

A must read to understand the import of the Ukraine/Russian war and why it is the most important war since our war with Hitler. If those
Republicans who do not support funding Ukraine in this war (ex Gaetz of Florida, Biggs and Crane of Arizona, Buck of Tennessee, Good of Virginia, Mace of S Carolina, Rosendale of Montana, as well as Presidential candidates deSantis and Trump) would read this book, it might change their minds.

Narrator stumbled comically over the Russian & Ukrainian names

Might have been better to use someone less cowed by the pronunciations; it jarred alot.

Spellbinding

Invasion by Luke Harding is a haunting work of contemporary journalism. A must read for anyone looking for a deep dive into the events of the last year.

Pray For Ukraine

Tells The story of the Russian invasion well! Also very detailed! Pray For Ukraine!

Interesting personal experiences

Not much new information about the war but the personal experiences of the author and those interviewed were the highlight of the book.