Overreach: The Inside Story of Putin’s War Against Ukraine

The Inside Story of Putin’s War Against Ukraine

By: Owen Matthews

Narrated by: Saul Reichlin

Winner of the Pushkin House Book Prize 2023

*A Telegraph Book of the Year*

A Times Best Book of Summer 2023

*Shortlisted for the Parliamentary Book Awards*

An astonishing investigation into the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war – from the corridors of the Kremlin to the trenches of Mariupol.

The Russo-Ukrainian War is the most serious geopolitical crisis since the Second World War – and yet at the heart of the conflict is a mystery. Vladimir Putin apparently lurched from a calculating, subtle master of opportunity to a reckless gambler, putting his regime – and Russia itself – at risk of destruction. Why?

Drawing on over 25 years’ experience as a correspondent in Moscow, as well as his own family ties to Russia and Ukraine, journalist Owen Matthews takes us through the poisoned historical roots of the conflict, into the Covid bubble where Putin conceived his invasion plans in a fog of paranoia about Western threats, and finally into the inner circle around Ukrainian president and unexpected war hero Volodimir Zelensky.

Using the accounts of current and former insiders from the Kremlin and its propaganda machine, the testimony of captured Russian soldiers and on-the-ground reporting from Russia and Ukraine, Overreach tells the story not only of the war’s causes but how the first six months unfolded.

With its panoramic view, Overreach is an authoritative, unmissable record of a conflict that shocked Europe to its core.

Critic reviews

‘Not merely the first full account of the war in Ukraine, but may set the standard for some time to come … a remarkable achievement, with Matthews’s expert eye like an all-seeing drone, buzzing from one side of the conflict to the other’ 5* Telegraph

‘A vivid and revealing first draft of history … The strength of his account lies in his ability to tell the story from many angles, weaving them into a single, fast-paced narrative … fascinating’ Financial Times

‘The best current analysis of the countdown to war’ Serhii Plokhy, TLS

‘There will be many more books on Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, but Owen Matthews’ extraordinary perspective has produced an interim account of special value.’ Daily Mail

‘A wave of hurriedly written books about the Russo-Ukrainian war is about to crash over our bookshops and overburdened shelves, but it is hard not to feel sorry for most of their authors. Owen Matthews has already come out with what is not only one of the fastest, but also likely to be the best, setting a painfully high benchmark for those who follow.’ Times

‘The best new book on Russia … a classic as enduring as Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia’ Literary Review

‘Superb … a true page-turner’ Andrew Roberts, BBC History

Accuracy

Great 👍 work War is good for nothing but this is justification on all fronts

Fine detailed account from high placed sources

The detailed quotes from sources within Ukraine, Russia are fascinating. The long view of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict are presented in detail with particular insight into the main characters’ motivations going back through early formative experiences. The war victims have been given a voice in the narrative through the illustrative accounts of their experience. The author presents both Ukrainian and Russian experiences in detail. As the author stated this book is as n account of the beginning of the war. Riveting.

Great history Russia’s invasion through of 2022

Really well done. Appreciate the insight on Russian President Putin’s background and motivations, including the inner circle that he is captured by.

Excellent investigative insights into the 2022 Russian Invasion

Incredibly informative, detailed and multi-sided explanation of the war. Clearly pro-Ukrainian in its viewpoint-- but repeatedly shows Russian viewpoints and motivations as well. Focuses on variety of levels of society, from politicians to common citizens, both Ukrainian & Russian, in its reporting and its interviewed sources. Great book about a very sad & urgent subject. Narration was very good, though often weak on Russian language pronunciation. Highly recommend this -- it sheds so much light on this evil, ongoing, land-grab of a war.

Must read

Awesome book must read. Fascinating story that tells the truth about the regime in Moscow.