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

Nicholas Guy Smith's British-accented narration is always lively, never sounding dry or clinical. Author Luke Harding, a GUARDIAN journalist, tells the story of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with details that emphasize the human toll of the war. Smith recounts events with just enough emotion to put listeners on the scene. He captures the weariness of people trapped in shelters, the numbing sadness of a mass grave, and the defiance of a profane Ukrainian slogan. Harding also shows the Russians from a human angle as he considers Vladimir Putin's reasoning for his war and the reactions of citizens to the crackdown on free speech. Listeners who follow the news have heard the story already, but Harding and Smith help them feel it. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2022]