A Telegraph Best Book 2025 'Elegant and terrifying, the story of those who gave up life in the West for Ukraine's frontlines ? some to save democracy, some to save themselves. A modern-day Homage to Catalonia ? and Fight Club on steroids.' ? Oliver Poole, London Standard ?A great read? ? Mark Galeotti 'Brilliant' ? The Daily Express With real-life echoes of SAS Rogue Heroes ? this is an astonishing account of Europe?s biggest major conflict, told through the eyes of a ragbag collection of foreign fighters Three days after Russian tanks roll into Ukraine, President Volodymr Zelensky issues a desperate appeal for foreign military volunteers to help defend his country. Thousands answer the call from all over the world: some of them experienced soldiers, others novices who?ve never held a gun before. Among their ranks are high-minded idealists, adventure-seekers bored with civilian life, and ex-criminals seeking redemption ? all risking their lives against the world's most vicious superpower. Some flee at the first sign of trouble, others become heroes; many are killed, and a few turn their guns on each other. This is their story ? often terrifying, often tragic, sometimes comic, and sometimes glorious?