The first English-language biography of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will hit bookstore shelves this summer.
Polity will publish an English translation of Serhii Rudenko’s Zelensky: A Biography, the press announced in a news release. The book, originally written in Ukrainian, is being translated by Michael Naydan and Alla Parminova. The author is a journalist and political commentator in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy became one of the most recognizable figures in the world after Russia invaded Ukraine in February. Shortly after Russia launched its invasion, he posted a video that immediately went viral, depicting him and other Ukrainian government leaders standing on a street in Kyiv.
“We are all here,” he said. “Our soldiers are here. The citizens are here and we are here. We defend our independence. That’s how it will go.”
Zelenskyy is something of an unlikely politician. A successful actor and comedian, he created and starred in the Ukrainian comedy series Servant of the People, in which he played a high school teacher who becomes the president of Ukraine. Zelenskyy himself was elected the nation’s president the same year the series ended.
“Zelensky’s leadership in the face of Russia’s aggression is an inspiration to everyone who stands opposed to the appalling violence being unleashed on Ukraine,” Polity said. “This book tells his astonishing story.”
Zelensky is scheduled for publication on July 25.
Michael Schaub, a journalist and regular contributor to NPR, lives near Austin, Texas.
