اللاعبون.. من داخل الغزو الذي هز العالم وجعل من زيلينسكي قائدا

Renowned journalist Simon Schuster had a rare opportunity to meet Volodymyr Zelensky, telling the story of his life and his leadership of Ukraine during the war. From Zelensky's dressing room before his comedy shows in Ukraine to the muddy trenches of the war against Russia, Schuster has conducted dozens of interviews with him, his wife, friends and rivals, as well as his advisers, ministers and military commanders. The book tells the intimate and riveting story of how the president went from comedian to symbol of resilience, and reveals how he was able to rally the world's democracies behind his cause. The first chapters of the book provide the first detailed account of Zelensky's life in a nuclear bunker during the first weeks of the invasion, and the circumstances surrounding his wife and their children's escape to safety. Later, as Russian forces withdraw from Kiev, we see Zelensky and his team emerge from the bunker and lead Ukraine to a series of decisive victories. The result is a captivating and intimate portrait of the conquest as lived by the nation's leader and unlikely hero. Through a frank look at the president's early failures in his peace endeavors and his willingness to suppress political opposition, the book presents a complex portrait of a man struggling to break what he sees as a historical cycle of oppression that began generations before his birth. Even in the midst of war, Zelensky presents his vision for the country's future, demonstrating in action his strategy for confronting the Russians and maintaining Western support. From the perspective of an eyewitness, "The Player" provides an important insight into the war that shapes our times. As a study in leadership and human resolve, it is timeless and universal.