I think that anyone interested in understanding that period of time should read this book. Additionally one of the best uses of the book would be to make it required reading for all the second generation (+) children of Ukrainian parents in North American. Many attend evening or Saturday schooling in Ukrainian and struggle to understand what it's all about. This book would be easier for them to read and comprehend, and could help them immensely.

17 of 17 found the following review helpful:


Great description of independent Ukraine  May 12, 2000 By F. Orion Pozo "Orion Pozo"
From the Carpathian Mountains to the Black Sea, a great description of independent Ukraine. Ania Savage has written a wonderful book describing her journey to Ukraine during the time Ukraine was gaining its independence from Russia. The story of her family fleeing Russian persecution when she was six years old and her growing up in the USA with her mother's fond memories of home adds depth to her visit to the towns of her youth. Her description of her visits to both Western and Eastern Ukraine gives the reader a great sense of the cultural and geographic differences in this large Eastern European country. She works in a urban university and a rural school and her descriptions of the people she meets are respectful but insightful. She provides a lot of historic background to the places she visits and her bibliography in the back of the book is a valuable resource for further reading. This is a great book to read if you want to find out about Ukraine at the moment this great country gained its independence. It is a shame that almost eight years have passed between the events described in the book and its publication. The last chapter tries to bring the reader up to date, but it is only able to update us on the characters. It only briefly covers events in the last eight years of Ukrainian democracy and left me yearning for more.

10 of 10 found the following review helpful:


Excellent reminiscences of a fascinating journey  Mar 15, 2000
Savage's book taps into the nature of our roots and the unique troubles facing the former Soviet Union as it deals with its own sordid history. The style is conversational without being light, and I was shocked (and taught) by some of the experiences the author had while traveling to and in the Ukraine.

9 of 9 found the following review helpful:


An American journalist's visit to post-Soviet Ukraine  Jul 01, 2000
An absolutely engrossing account of life in the Ukraine during the post-Soviet period by a Ukranian-American journalist and writer. Interwoven against the historical background is the author's more personal quest for her roots and a portrait of her family's poignant return to the homeland they fled in the dark days of 1944. Ms. Savage's superb command of history and elegant prose keep one's attention riveted to the very end. A "must read" for anyone interested in Eastern European-American affairs, especially in light of the recent election in Russia.

See all 10 customer reviews on Amazon.com