The Gates of Europe Book Summary - The Gates of Europe Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

The Gates of Europe summary

A History of Ukraine

4.3 (291 ratings)
28 mins

Brief summary

'The Gates of Europe' by Serhii Plokhy is a captivating historical account of how the fall of the Soviet Union transformed Europe and led to the rise of a new order. The book explores the political, economic and social changes that shaped the modern-day Europe we know today.

Table of Contents

    The Gates of Europe
    Summary of 6 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 6

    The region of Ukraine was first populated by nomadic tribes that traded with nearby Greek colonies.

    This Blink will attempt the challenging feat of giving you an overview of Ukraine’s history as described by Serhii Plokhy in The Gates of Europe. It’s a dramatic story that involves a lot of different actors, with many ups and downs. So let’s dive right in.

    As is the case with a lot of ancient European history, the official written record really starts with the Greeks. In this case, it was Herodotus, a historian whose nine-volume series, Histories, contains some of the first known writing about the origins of Ukraine.

    Even in the time of Herodotus, around 500 BCE, the area that would become Ukraine was on its way to becoming a dividing point between the East and the West. This region includes a portion of steppes, forests, and mountains that stretch north beyond the Black Sea. To the Greeks, this area was regarded as the Pontic frontier. Within it, the Greek empire ended and the land of the so-called “Barbarians” began.

    Herodotus was interested in the history of the Barbarians, a term used at the time to describe anyone who wasn’t Greek. Before Herodotus’s research, there were only mythological tales about what was going on in the area north of the Black Sea. There were rumors that this was the land of the female warriors known as the Amazons and final resting place of the hero Achilles. But then, in the seventh and sixth centuries BCE, Greeks began to hear stories about a real tribe of nomadic warriors known as the Cimmerians, who were pushed out of the region after fierce battles with another nomadic tribe known as the Scythians.

    At this point, the black nutrient-rich soil of the steppes was already gaining a reputation that would later result in Ukraine being known as the “breadbasket of Europe.” The Scythians had been cultivating and trading grains, but all this came to a halt once the Sarmatians showed up. Like the Scythians, the Sarmatians were also nomadic, of Iranian origins, and made up of different multiethnic and multicultural tribes.

    Around the first century CE, the Romans eventually made their way to the Greek colonies. Now, what would end up being known as the “Western world” was becoming familiar with the region. In particular, the Romans were interested in the two rivers, the Dnieper – or Dnipro, as Ukrainians call it – and the Don. The Dnieper stretches from the Black Sea northward past what would become the city of Kyiv. It was already an important river for trade. The Don is to the east of the Crimea, and at its mouth was a Greek colony belonging to the Bosporan Kingdom.

    According to another Greek historian, Strabo, these were more than just rivers. As he saw it, to the west of the Don lay Europe. To the east, Asia.

    Want to see all full key ideas from The Gates of Europe?

    Key ideas in The Gates of Europe

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is The Gates of Europe about?

    The Gates of Europe (2015) offers a compelling overview of the history of Ukraine, a nation which lies between the East and the West. Due to this unique geographic position, Ukraine has been fought over and subjugated by a long line of imperial forces throughout history. Indeed, the history of Ukraine is one of the most important facets in the history of Europe.

    The Gates of Europe Review

    The Gates of Europe (2015) by Serhii Plokhy is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the complex history of Eastern Europe. Three reasons why this book stands out:

    • It provides a fascinating exploration of how the Ottoman Empire shaped the region and its influence on the politics, culture, and identity of the European countries.
    • Plokhy combines meticulous research and insightful analysis, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the key events and actors that shaped the region's history.
    • The book effectively captures the human stories behind the historical events, making it an engaging and captivating read, even for those not well-versed in Eastern European history.

    Who should read The Gates of Europe?

    • History buffs
    • People curious about Russian-Ukrainian relations
    • Anyone interested in democracy

    About the Author

    Serhii Plokhy is a world-renowned expert on the Cold War and the history of nuclear proliferation. He’s also a professor of history at Harvard University and the author of the award-winning book Chernobyl.

    Categories with The Gates of Europe

    Book summaries like The Gates of Europe

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    35 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    The Gates of Europe FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Gates of Europe?

    The main message of The Gates of Europe is the historical significance of Ukraine's role in shaping Europe's political and cultural landscape.

    How long does it take to read The Gates of Europe?

    The estimated reading time for The Gates of Europe can vary depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is The Gates of Europe a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Gates of Europe is worth reading as it sheds light on Ukraine's pivotal role in shaping Europe's history. It offers valuable insights into a lesser-known aspect of European history.

    Who is the author of The Gates of Europe?

    The author of The Gates of Europe is Serhii Plokhy.

    What to read after The Gates of Europe?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The Gates of Europe, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder
    • Ukraine Crisis by Andrew Wilson
    • The Road to Unfreedom by Timothy Snyder
    • Autocracy, Inc. by Anne Applebaum
    • The Case for Trump by Victor Davis Hanson
    • On Palestine by Noam Chomsky
    • Active Listening Techniques by Nixaly Leonardo
    • Moneyland by Oliver Bullough
    • New Cold Wars by David E. Sanger
    • War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy