If you know little of Ukraine, this book will give you a concentrated history of that country as you read the life story of Pasha Pipenko, which in an interesting turn of current events, lends itself to valuable insight to the political culture of both Ukraine and Russia. In 1939 Pasha is one of thousands of boys exiled by Russia to a labour camp from where he and his best friend Oleksander are later drafted by the Soviet Army. Ultimate victory is theirs as they manage to outwit, outlast and outmaneuver the enemy to win back property, inheritance, nationality and independence.