Serhii Plokhy’s book, “The Gates of Europe,” explores Ukraine’s history and its struggle for sovereignty amidst influences from Central Europe, Russia, and the Middle East. The book highlights how various empires have exploited Ukraine as a strategic gateway between East and West. It delves into Ukraine’s identity through its historical figures and connects its past with its present and future.

I.On the Pontic Frontier. Chapter 1. The edge of the world ; Chapter 2. The advent of the Slavs ; Chapter 3. Vikings on the Dnieper ; Chapter 4. Byzantium North ; Chapter 5. The keys to Kyiv ; Chapter 6. Pax Mongolica -- II. East meets West. Chapter 7. The making of Ukraine ; Chapter 8. The Cossacks ; Chapter 9. Eastern reformations ; Chapter 10. The Great Revolt ; Chapter 11. The partitions ; Chapter 12. The verdict of Poltava -- III. Between the Empires. Chapter 13. The new frontiers ; Chapter 14. The books of the genesis ; Chapter 15. The porous border ; Chapter 16. On the move ; Chapter 17. The unfinished revolution -- IV. The wars of the world. Chapter 18. The birth of a nation ; Chapter 19. A shattered dream ; Chapter 20. Communism and Nationalism ; Chapter 21. Stalin's fortress ; Chapter 22. Hitler's Lebensraum ; Chapter 23. The victors -- V. The road to independence. Chapter 24. The Second Soviet Republic ; Chapter 25. Good bye, Lenin! ; Chapter 26. The Independence Square ; Chapter 27. The price of freedom ; Chapter 28. A new dawn -- Epilogue: The meanings of history -- Historical timeline -- Who's who in Ukrainian history -- Glossary.