VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY

A panegyric profile of Ukraine’s Putin-defying president.

Expertly whipping a few morsels of information drawn exclusively from English-language news stories and recent interviews into a puff pastry of praise, Nardo tracks his subject’s career from law student to stand-up comedian, dancer, and popular media star—playing, in one TV show, an idealistic high school teacher who is catapulted into the presidency on the strength of a viral video rant. Apparently widely identified with that character, he went on to win a real presidential election in 2019 and, along with taking on corrupt oligarchs, responded to the Russian invasion in February 2022 by unexpectedly proving himself to be very effective at leading with great resolve the defense of his country and inviting, the author notes, comparisons with Winston Churchill in the Second World War. And if this account only covers events up to early July 2022 and so leaves off with the invasion’s outcome much in doubt, it vigorously argues the case that Zelenskyy, who is conscious of the world’s gaze and the importance of defending democracy, is the right person for this role. Unlike the skimpy assortment of public photos showing him posing in war zones or with his wife (but not children) and various world leaders, the backmatter offers young hero worshippers and report writers sources and resources aplenty.

Timely but neither judicious nor able to offer much historical perspective.