A Small, Stubborn Town

Life, death and defiance in Ukraine - 'The mesmerising story of how in the face of a mighty army, ordinary people can say "No."' Mail on Sunday

Format: Hardback
RRP: £12.99
£11.43
Save £1.56 (12%)

Free UK P&P on online orders over £25

Adding to basket… The item has been added
R/P
'Extraordinary.' Philippe Sands'We are touched by the courage and dignity of Andrew Harding's characters - qualities that the author must surely possess in equal measure.' - Andrey Kurkov'Fascinating.' - Fiona Hill'Originally reported and beautifully written.' - Arkady Ostrovsky'A story of extraordinary heroism by ordinary people. - James Meek'This gripping account is the Russian invasion of Ukraine in microcosm.' - Lindsey HilsumThe Russians are invading. But the locals have a plan.

It's March 2022 and Russian tanks are roaring across the vast, snow-dusted fields of Ukraine. Their destination: Voznesensk, a town with a small bridge that could change the course of the war. The heavily-armed Russians are expecting an easy fight - or no fight at all.

After all, Voznesensk is a quiet farming town, full of pensioners. But the locals appear to have other ideas. Svetlana, a grandmother with arthritis, reacts in fury when Russian troops turn her cottage into their blood-soaked headquarters.

Valentin, a quick-talking lawyer, joins the town's 'Dads Army' defenders, crouching in a trench with an AK47. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Sergei grabs a Molotov cocktail and lies in wait for Russian tanks as they push towards Dead Water Bridge. The odds are terrible.

But a plan is emerging, and there's a chance it could save not just Voznesensk, but the rest of southern Ukraine. Meanwhile, inside the tanks, an inner battle rages. As Russian officer Igor Rudenko prepares to invade, he has a secret.

He is Ukrainian himself. A gripping work of reportage that tells the story of a pivotal moment in Ukraine's war, this is a real-life thriller about ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances with resilience, humour and ingenuity.
Write a Review
  • 4
    A small stubborn town

    Posted by PAUL MAGUIRE on 20th Mar 2024

    Enjoyed it very much. Good length and authenticity came across

Authors:
Harding, Andrew
Year Published:
2023
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Format:
Hardback
ISBN:
9781804183793
Number of Pages:
160
Place of Publication:
United Kingdom
Publication Date:
06/07/2023
Publisher:
Bonnier Books Ltd
SKU:
9781804183793

Customers also bought