Ithaka Press, the new narrative nonfiction imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has acquired A Small, Stubborn Town: Life, death and defiance in Ukraine, the third book from the Emmy-winning journalist Andrew Harding.
Sarah Braybrooke, publishing director at Ithaka Press acquired World rights, all languages from Rebecca Carter Literary.
Set over a period of several days, the book is an immersive work of nonfiction which tells the story of how a small band of Ukrainian fighters and civilians, many with no experience of warfare, won a key strategic victory against the Russians in the farming town of Vosnezensk.
Focussing on characters such as Svetlana, a formidable grandmother, and Valentin, a local lawyer who instantly signs up to join the town’s Dad’s Army defenders, A Small, Stubborn Town is a real-life thriller about ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances with resilience, humour and ingenuity. Harding’s BBC report on the town’s unlikely victory has been viewed over 5 million times online.
Sarah Braybrooke said: ‘Andrew is an extraordinary writer whose understanding of character and story makes this book read almost like a novel. His meticulous research and the deep relationships he has built with his subjects shine through on every page.’
Harding reported from Russia for a decade after the fall of the Soviet Union, and has spent four months in Ukraine over the last year reporting on the current war. His previous books have won praise from Philippe Sands and Booker Prize-winner Damon Galgut, among others.
A Small, Stubborn Town: Life, death and defiance in Ukraine will be released on July 6th this year.
