The Mad and the Brave

The Untold Story of Ukraine’s Foreign Legion

De: Colin Freeman

Narrado por: John Sackville

'Elegant and terrifying, the story of those who gave up life in the West for Ukraine's frontlines – some to save democracy, some to save themselves. A modern-day Homage to Catalonia – and Fight Club on steroids.' – Oliver Poole, London Standard

‘A great read’ – Mark Galeotti

'Brilliant' – The Daily Express

With real-life echoes of SAS Rogue Heroes – this is an astonishing account of Europe’s biggest major conflict, told through the eyes of a ragbag collection of foreign fighters

Three days after Russian tanks roll into Ukraine, President Volodymr Zelensky issues a desperate appeal for foreign military volunteers to help defend his country. Thousands answer the call from all over the world: some of them experienced soldiers, others novices who’ve never held a gun before.

Among their ranks are high-minded idealists, adventure-seekers bored with civilian life, and ex-criminals seeking redemption – all risking their lives against the world's most vicious superpower. Some flee at the first sign of trouble, others become heroes; many are killed, and a few turn their guns on each other.

This is their story – often terrifying, often tragic, sometimes comic, and sometimes glorious…

©2025 Colin Freeman (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers

Reseñas de la Crítica

A fascinating, multi-layered portrait of the foreign fighters battling the might of Russia. Colin Freeman is one of the most intrepid and perceptive war correspondents of our time.” – Toby Harnden, Orwell Prize Winning Author of Dead Men Risen

‘A fascinating and gritty account of life on the frontline in Ukraine’ – Sean Rayment, ex-Para and author of Bomb Hunter

‘[Colin Freeman] knows how to tell a story bloody well … Fascinating stories, without too much of the sugarcoating one sometimes expects, presenting them all as upstanding men who are simply attracted by the genuine righteousness of Ukraine's cause. Instead, Freeman shows us the weird mix of motivations bringing people to the battlefield – from commitment to rootlessness, machismo to masochism … It is a great read. It is also a very useful reminder of just how global this war has become.’ Mark Galeotti, In Moscow’s Shadows podcast