Overreach

The Inside Story of Putin’s War Against Ukraine

By: Owen Matthews

Narrated by: Saul Reichlin

Length: 15 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the Pushkin House Book Prize 2023

*A Telegraph Book of the Year*

A Times Best Book of Summer 2023

*Shortlisted for the Parliamentary Book Awards*

An astonishing investigation into the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war – from the corridors of the Kremlin to the trenches of Mariupol.

The Russo-Ukrainian War is the most serious geopolitical crisis since the Second World War – and yet at the heart of the conflict is a mystery. Vladimir Putin apparently lurched from a calculating, subtle master of opportunity to a reckless gambler, putting his regime – and Russia itself – at risk of destruction. Why?

Drawing on over 25 years’ experience as a correspondent in Moscow, as well as his own family ties to Russia and Ukraine, journalist Owen Matthews takes us through the poisoned historical roots of the conflict, into the Covid bubble where Putin conceived his invasion plans in a fog of paranoia about Western threats, and finally into the inner circle around Ukrainian president and unexpected war hero Volodimir Zelensky.

Using the accounts of current and former insiders from the Kremlin and its propaganda machine, the testimony of captured Russian soldiers and on-the-ground reporting from Russia and Ukraine, Overreach tells the story not only of the war’s causes but how the first six months unfolded.

With its panoramic view, Overreach is an authoritative, unmissable record of a conflict that shocked Europe to its core.

©2022 Owen Matthews (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"Not merely the first full account of the war in Ukraine, but may set the standard for some time to come…a remarkable achievement, with Matthews’s expert eye like an all-seeing drone, buzzing from one side of the conflict to the other." (Telegraph)

"Superb…a true page-turner." (Andrew Roberts, BBC History)

Must read

Awesome book must read. Fascinating story that tells the truth about the regime in Moscow.

Excellent investigative insights into the 2022 Russian Invasion

Incredibly informative, detailed and multi-sided explanation of the war. Clearly pro-Ukrainian in its viewpoint-- but repeatedly shows Russian viewpoints and motivations as well. Focuses on variety of levels of society, from politicians to common citizens, both Ukrainian & Russian, in its reporting and its interviewed sources. Great book about a very sad & urgent subject. Narration was very good, though often weak on Russian language pronunciation. Highly recommend this -- it sheds so much light on this evil, ongoing, land-grab of a war.

Fine detailed account from high placed sources

The detailed quotes from sources within Ukraine, Russia are fascinating. The long view of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict are presented in detail with particular insight into the main characters’ motivations going back through early formative experiences. The war victims have been given a voice in the narrative through the illustrative accounts of their experience. The author presents both Ukrainian and Russian experiences in detail. As the author stated this book is as n account of the beginning of the war. Riveting.

Great history Russia’s invasion through of 2022

Really well done. Appreciate the insight on Russian President Putin’s background and motivations, including the inner circle that he is captured by.

Comprehensive Account of the War Through September 2022

Informative account of the war at least through September. With my wife being Ukrainian, she has stayed abreast of both Russian and Ukrainian news reporting from the onset. I’ve gotten my news primarily through her and our own sources here in America. Admittedly, I’m skeptical of our relatively polarized news outlets here and try to listen to several sources across the political spectrum. This book seems to be a solid account of what’s transpired. Towards the end, the author also lays out a fairly pragmatic view of what the potential outcomes could look like.

What’s happened to the Ukrainian people (and to many in Russia) is a tragedy perpetrated by evil, paranoid people. The hope is that by understanding the realities that led us here, we will all be better suited to do our part in preventing future such occurrences.

All in all, well done.

Well done

Listening to a 2022 history of the Russian 2022 invasion of Ukraine is like reading a history of WW2 in 1943. Some stuff benefits from a close up and a bunch of things are still so undecided.

But the author does a particularly good job in explaining:
- How the initial Russian success was so extensive
- Why exactly that success was so short-loved
- What will hamstring the Russian army going forward
- How different types of Russians experience the war
- Why both Putin and Zelensky are both holding bad cards

The narrator also does a great job, particularly when voicing direct quotes.

Definitely recommend the audiobook.

Amazing!

Very interesting and contemporary, helps to understand the current war situation till sep22. Excellent narration

Took awhile…

I honestly struggled to get started with this book, but after a few chapters this was a very insightful, well researched book that gives all the information possible.
If you want to better understand putins needless war this is a great place to start.

Excellent detail

Perfect blend of historical context with amazingly up to date current information. Author worked up to the last minute.

Comprehensive Review of First 7 months of Russia’s Invasion

Very well researched book and the author has vast knowledge of the history and people.