Where to begin?

History is an inalienable component of the nation-building process. Every nation with enough self-respect sees to it that all its citizens know their history and take pride in it. The Day is making its humble contribution to the development of modern Ukrainian historiography. In the past several years our newspaper has published five books on history. The Day ’s Library Series includes Ukraine Incognita, Dvi Rusi, Wars and Peace, The Day and Eternity of James Mace, and Klara Gudzyk’s Apocrypha . However, to know the main aspects of one’s history, it is necessary to have a “minimum program” of books that are indispensable to forming an adequate idea about the destiny of the Ukrainian people. The Day asked its experts for their recommendations.

WHAT BOOKS SHOULD PEOPLE READ TO LEARN MORE ABOUT UKRAINIAN HISTORY?

Prof. Yuriy SHAPOVAL, D.S. (History):

For starters, people should read the encyclopedia Mykola Kostomarov, published by Yuriy Pinchuk. I would also recommend Mykhailo Braichevsky’s article “Unification or Reunification?” and Olena Apanovych’s works on the Ukrainian Cossacks and the Pereiaslav Treaty, i.e., works that are of principal importance in Ukrainian history. Ms. Apanovych is very easy to read. I would also recommend several studies by Mykola Kotliar, corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, on the princes of Kyivan Rus’ Yaroslav, Volodymyr, and Princess Olha. But first of all I would tell people that they have to start with self-respect. All nations respect themselves. Ukrainians are strange people. Every time I read historical studies, it always turns out that Ukrainians wanted to get rid of their statehood and come under someone’s protection. Secondly, we must learn to view Ukraine in the context of European history and the world process. In general, people should buy the books in The Day’s Library Series. I can tell you from my own experience that I have separate bookshelves in my home where I keep these books, and I leaf through them now and then to see which book is best and in what respect. The Day has never stressed that Ukraine is the best. Here Ukraine emerges in all its diverse colors, but in a way that it remains whole.

Prof. Valeriy STEPANKOV, Ph.D. (History), Kamianets-Podilsky State University:

It is crucial to read Mykhailo Hrushevsky’s History of Ukraine-Rus’. This is an absolute must for people who want to have an adequate idea of Ukrainian history and then continue on their life paths. Hrushevsky traces the origins of all things Ukrainian, and he reinforces his research with serious and deep-reaching sources. Hrushevsky was the first to systematize the origins of the formation of the Ukrainian nation and culture. I believe that this is the first and only global, large-scale work that can help someone learn the history of Ukraine to the mid-17th century. There is a lot of talk about Hrushevsky these days, and he is often cited. But a closer look shows that no one has read his works thoroughly. In other words, his name is bruited about a lot, but few people have even clapped eyes on his 10-volume work. Therefore, in order to form a comprehensive idea, a panoramic view of the foundations of Ukraine, its struggle for independence and culture, you have to read Hrushevsky. I think that his History of Ukraine-Rus’ is the only indispensable book.

Volodymyr SHEVCHENKO, Ph.D. (History):

Mykhailo Hrushevsky’s first publication was the multivolume History of Ukraine-Rus’. It is still the most complete and comprehensive work embracing various aspects of Ukrainian history in various periods. This is also the only work in which Mykhailo Hrushevsky illustrates the evolution of “marriage ties” in almost every period. The second publication that I would recommend is Ukraine through the Ages, a 15-volume work prepared by the Institute of History at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. This is a very fine publication and written in a popular style. It is also the only work of history that has won the State Prize of Ukraine in the last 15 years. It includes all the main achievements of Ukrainian historical scholarship over many centuries, including recent achievements. And my third recommendation would be History of Ukraine: a New Vision, edited by Valeriy Smoliy. Personally, I think this is a balanced, non-partisan work, and free of excesses. It’s this way in our country: in the past there was the Soviet historiographic scheme, now we have a different one; later someone may come up with another one. The authors do not distance themselves from the factual development of Ukrainian history but from patterns into which facts are forced to fit these patterns and then interpreted accordingly.

Prof. Yuriy PINCHUK, Ph.D. (History), head of the Department of Ukrainian Historiography of the Institute of History at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine:

It is absolutely necessary to read the works of Mykola Kostomarov. For the serious reader I would recommend his Bohdan Khmelnytsky. There are also his excellent monographs, such as Yuriy Khmelnytsky’s Hetmanate, Vyhovsky’s Hetmanate, Mazepa, Mazepa’s Followers, and so on. If you read these works, you will learn more about Ukrainian history. I would also recommend Mykhailo Hrushevsky, although I think that his works are hard to digest by the ordinary Ukrainian reader, although his Outline of Ukrainian History is accessible to the general public. His multivolume History of Ukraine-Rus’ is intended for scholars. I would also recommend Dmytro Yavornytsky’s History of the Zaporozhian Cossacks. Those interested in how historical works are written should look up the forthcoming six-volume encyclopedia History of Ukraine. This work takes into account the latest scholarly achievements of independent Ukraine. The first and second volumes are already available. I think that you will find it useful. Another publication, Encyclopedia of the Zaporozhian Cossacks, is also interesting for the general reader. It contains many articles dealing with history, especially the Cossack period.

Roman SOLCHANYK, historian:

I am a bibliophile, so it’s very difficult for me to choose. First, people should read Prof. Yuriy Shapoval’s Uninvented Stories. A number of his articles that were published in The Day are included in this book. Second, people should read Yuriy Hrytsak’s Outlines of Ukrainian History. Third, there is Natalia Yakovenko’s study of Ukrainian history in the 16th-18th centuries.

Mykola KOTLIAR, corresponding member, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine:

The first book is by Borys Rybakov, entitled Kyivan Rus’ and the Rus’ Principalities in the 12th-13th Centuries. This book is both a survey and a research work that raises a broad range of important subjects couched in extremely literary language. It can be also read by people with a ten-grade education. I would also recommend Petro Tolochko’s book Kyivan Rus’. In general, I would recommend books written by distinguished specialists and experts, because when a renowned expert writes, even when he recounts well-known issues, they still reflect his individuality, knowledge and intellect. Why, for example, should popular books be written by top-notch professionals rather than craftsmen? Because these professionals write in a fresh manner and because they are researchers. Although I risk being called immodest, I would recommend my own book Danylo, Prince of Halych. I am very fond of it. Danylo of Halych reflects the history of Halychyna and Volyn in the 13th century. In my view, it is written in a popular style, yet it is a scholarly work. Generally, this is where world scholarship is heading. When you take books written by British or French historians, you see that they are popular in form. But they contain writing on serious subjects. A historian must struggle for his reading audience, too.

Vasyl SHCHETNYKOV, professor of the Ukrainian History Faculty at Mechnikov National University in Odesa:

One should start with high school textbooks. We have many good authors now. In general, I believe there are no bad textbooks. Textbooks are written by serious people backed by serious teams of collaborators. I don’t know, maybe something has changed. That’s the way it was in my time. I would advise people to read something from the Cossack chronicles, like those written by Hryhoriy Hrabianka, Samiylo Velychko, and Samovydets. This is what everyone should know. Of course, you have to know Istoriya Rusiv, for it marks the beginning of our new historiography. This is the foundation of our civilization. After that a Ukrainian should rely on his intuition, Providence, and personal preferences, because this is what forms individuality. If everyone is the same and equal, this will return us to the place from where we came and where we do not want to return.