The Showman

Inside the Invasion That Shook the World and Made a Leader of Volodymyr Zelensky

By: Simon Shuster

Narrated by: Daniel Gamburg

Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Acclaimed journalist Simon Shuster gives us the first inside account of the Russian invasion of Ukraine from the perspective of President Volodymyr Zelensky and his team, who granted him unprecedented access.

Time correspondent Simon Shuster chronicles the life and wartime leadership of Volodymyr Zelensky from the dressing rooms of his variety show in Ukraine to the muddy trenches of his war with Russia. Based on four years of reporting; extensive travels with President Zelensky to the front; and dozens of interviews with him, his wife, his friends and enemies, his advisers, ministers and military commanders, The Showman tells an intimate and eye-opening story of the President’s evolution from a slapstick actor to a symbol of resilience, revealing how he managed to rally the world’s democracies behind his cause.

The book’s early chapters offer the first detailed account of Zelensky’s life in a nuclear bunker in the opening weeks of the invasion and the circumstances of his wife’s escape to safety with their children. Later, as the Russians retreat from Kyiv, we see Zelensky and his team emerge from the bunker and lead Ukraine in a series of crucial victories. The result is a riveting, up-close picture of the invasion as experienced by its number one target and improbable hero.

Clear-eyed about the President’s early failures as a peacemaker and his willingness to silence political dissent, the book offers a complex picture of a man struggling to break what he sees as a historical cycle of oppression that began generations before he was born. Even as the war drags on, Zelensky lays out his vision for its future course and, through his actions, demonstrates his strategy for countering the Russians and keeping the West on his side.

The Showman, as a work of eyewitness journalism, provides an essential perspective on the war defining our age. As a study in leadership and human resolve, its appeal is timeless and universal.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Simon Shuster (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Comprehensive and Balanced

An excellent first draft of The New Ukraine and its first genuinely freely-elected President. The author describes the Zelenskyy's background, election, and transformation under fire during the first year of the full-scale Russian invasion of 2022, as well as during the previous 8 years of the Russian occupation of Crimea and The Donbas. The author obtained excellent access to the president and his aides during many critical times. The biographical information provides insight into the motivation and aspirations of this successful performer-turned-president. The future still remains uncertain for him and his country, but this book will establish the foundation for understanding this remarkable man during this pivotal moment in world history.

The frank authenticity of the reporting.

So difficult to distinguish between, and remember the Russian and Ukrainian surnames. Perhaps it would help if the audible version could also repeat the first names, even though that is against the normal written convention, or try to repeat the title or roll the person occupies

Amazing and very informative

Absolutely love this book and the true store being told (since I’m Ukrainian American and is helping my motherland and know many details

Incredible reporting and writing

I really, really enjoyed this book. It’s an interesting and engaging read. I’ve read Simon Shuster’s articles before, but still, I always find his writing and voice refreshing in its frankness while still making you feel like you’re there in the action with him, in the bunker, listening in on his interviews, or trudging through a field near the Russian border in Ukraine. It’s an enlightening story of a comedian-turned-politician and his country, and the challenges his team and country faced before and throughout his term and during the war. But it’s also about so much more. Highly recommend.

Good reporting, non jugements

The author doesn’t make Z a hero, he sees a man and his evolution in the circumstances. He doesn’t label behavior and attitudes, but shoes them as objectively as he can. 5 баллов

Thorough…honest…inspiring

The author showed the weaknesses and strengths in Zelenskyy in a thorough and honest manner. I gained a much greater insight into the dynamics behind the scenes.

Cuts through the war propaganda fog!

What an excellent book! Valuable information regarding the conflict that you will never read in the NYT, WaPo, or see on the silly cable and network news channels.
Required reading for anyone who is paying attention to this war and taking a position.
The fact that this book could be published at all is encouraging. Free speech content that no doubt is going ruffle the feathers of many of our power brokers and political overloards.

Great development of personality

I have only positive things to say about the book Definitely worth the listen. Much learned about Russia

Great narration and storyline.

Having recently finished "The Showman: Inside the Invasion That Shook the World," I found myself deeply moved and informed by its detailed exploration of events that have personally touched my life. As someone who witnessed parts of that war firsthand, this book provided me with a broader context and a deeper understanding of the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.

The author masterfully navigates through the intricacies of the invasion, presenting facts and narratives in a way that is both engaging and accessible. The narrative does not just recount events; it brings them to life, allowing readers to grasp the human aspect behind the headlines.

What sets this book apart is its ability to present a balanced view of a highly contentious period, making it a valuable read for anyone looking to understand the impact of these events on a global scale. The author’s thorough research and compelling storytelling made me reflect on my own experiences, offering a sense of closure and a new perspective on the events I lived through.

For anyone interested in recent history or seeking to understand the complexities of modern warfare and diplomacy, "The Showman" is a must-read. It’s not just a recounting of events; it’s a journey into the heart of a conflict that has shaped the world in ways we are still trying to understand.

Soothing yet intense

The book is very packed and intense with events. But it feels almost soothing to listen to, as the stories in the book are familiar to every person who tracks the war in Ukraine - you know what to expect. At the same time it spectacularly avoids being boring - the author puts lesser known fun facts in each chapter like an experienced chef adds cherries on top of a cake to make it more special.

Nothing special about the book's narration, though. Except the pronunciation of Ukrainian words! It sounds way too off not to mention it here. Unfortunately, Ukrainian words are pronounced in a russian manner, duh. I had to check the book to make sure it was written correctly and after I verified, it made me even more disappointed in the narrator since Kyiv was pronounced as Kijev, Zelensky as Zjeljenskij and quite a few proper names became unrecognizable because of incorrect word stress, compare B-O-hdan vs Bohd-A-n. It is a small detail but a very important one in the context of the book and the story it tells. Missing this detail adds quite a bit of sourness.