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UnderratedReads is devoted to discovering underrated books and under-represented authors. We highlight hidden gems from around the world–honest reviews only, never pay-to-play.
Tag Archives: Ukraine
An UnderratedRead Revisited: The Folly of Realism: How the West Deceived Itself About Russia and Betrayed Ukraine – Alexander Vindman
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Without Ukraine, Russia is a country; with Ukraine, it’s an empire.” Without an independent Ukraine we will see an acceleration of authoritarianism. (more…)Read More →
Posted in Revisited
Tagged authoritarianism, democracy, Russia, Ukraine
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Happy New Year 2026
(by JD Jung) We at UnderratedReads wish all our readers a safe and happy New Year filled with health and love throughout 2026. Personally, I want to emphasize the importance of continuing to stand against fascism and authoritarianism. There is … Continue reading
Posted in Let's talk
Tagged authoritarianism, coffee, democracy, fascism, New Year, refugees, Russia, Ukraine
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The Folly of Realism: How the West Deceived Itself About Russia and Betrayed Ukraine – Alexander Vindman
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Without Ukraine, Russia is a country; with Ukraine, it’s an empire.” Without an independent Ukraine we will see an acceleration of authoritarianism. This war is a fight between authoritarianism and democracy. So how did we get … Continue reading
Posted in American Politics, History, Non-fiction, Politics and Social Justice, Reviewers' Top Picks
Tagged authoritarianism, democracy, Russia, Ukraine
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The Deceived Ones – Judith Krummeck
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Luck always seems to be against the man who depends on it.”- Ukrainian proverb Vira Blyzinska fled to Poland from her home in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion. She brought little with her … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged culture, family, immigration, Romance, Ukraine
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Forgottenness – Tanja Maljartschuk, translated by Zenia Tompkins
(reviewed by JD Jung) “I was an inconsequential being who had suddenly become deathly afraid of life.” Our present-day narrator suffers from mental/psychological disorders: frequent panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, substance abuse, and changing levels of agoraphobia. Eventually she breaks … Continue reading
Posted in Historical Fiction, Slavic Literature, World Literature
Tagged history, mental illness, political activism, politics, Ukraine
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Unlocking Your Inner Zelensky: Lessons We Can All Learn from an Unexpected Leader – Jessie Asya Kanzer
Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned As a great admirer of the Ukrainian president, I was intrigued when I discovered the book, Unlocking Your Inner Zelensky: Lessons We Can All Learn from an Unexpected Leader. I didn’t know what to expect … Continue reading
Posted in Non-fiction, Your Best Self
Tagged ethics, identity, President, truth, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky
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Who is bombing Kyiv?! – Marina Alova
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “It was disheartening and revolting to witness the country repeating the same mistakes and going around in circles. Slava believed that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it would be impossible to make the … Continue reading
Posted in Slavic Literature, World Issues, World Literature
Tagged propaganda, Putin, Russia, Russian literature, Ukraine, war
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An UnderratedRead Revisited: The Berlin Woman – Alan Kaufman
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “She turns her giving of love available to transact with, as a form of punishment, a torment, an affliction, an act of revenge. She replays overtures of love with suffering and pain.” So why is … Continue reading
Posted in Revisited
Tagged Austria, Germany, history, Judaism, psychological drama, San Francisco, Ukraine
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The Berlin Woman – Alan Kaufman
(reviewed by JD Jung) “She turns her giving of love available to transact with, as a form of punishment, a torment, an affliction, an act of revenge. She replays overtures of love with suffering and pain.” So why is writer … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged Austria, betrayal, Germany, history, Judaism, psychological drama, San Francisco, Ukraine
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Savaged Lands – Lana Kortchik
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Kiev was still burning and executions at Babi Yar continued, even though the river of condemned people had gradually dwindled to a creek. Not because the Germans relented, no. Because there was hardly anyone left to … Continue reading
Posted in Historical Fiction
Tagged book reviews, Romance, Ukraine, WWII
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