The Mad and the Brave Audiobook By Colin Freeman cover art

The Mad and the Brave

The Untold Story of Ukraine’s Foreign Legion

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The Mad and the Brave

By: Colin Freeman
Narrated by: John Sackville
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About this listen

'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

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…

©2025 Colin Freeman (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers
21st Century International Relations Military Modern Politics & Government Russia Wars & Conflicts Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing
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Critic reviews

A fascinating, multi-layered portrait of the foreign fighters battling the might of Russia. Colin Freeman is one of the most intrepid and perceptive war correspondents of our time.” – Toby Harnden, Orwell Prize Winning Author of Dead Men Risen

‘A fascinating and gritty account of life on the frontline in Ukraine’ – Sean Rayment, ex-Para and author of Bomb Hunter

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