The second, expanded edition of historian Ivan Krypiakevych’s work offers a thorough and consistent presentation of Ukrainian history from ancient times to the mid-20th century. The publication is noted for its scientific rigor and accessible style, further enhanced by documentary photographs. A significant addition includes chapters prepared by historian and statesman Dmytro Doroshenko, covering the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917–1921 and the dramatic events of the early 20th century. The book reflects key stages of national history, specifically the struggle for statehood, the Holodomor, and the Second World War. The book was published by Ivan Tyktor, a prominent public figure and veteran of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen and the Ukrainian Galician Army. After emigrating to Canada, Tyktor published The Great History of Ukraine in Winnipeg in 1948 with the support of the Ukrainian diaspora.
This specific copy was part of the personal collection of Yaroslav Rudnytskyj, a renowned Ukrainian-Canadian Slavist and linguist. Rudnytskyj donated part of his library to Yaroslav Pinchuk, a member of the diaspora who moved to Ukraine in 1992. Pinchuk later passed a portion of his collection to Volodymyr Ihnatenko, the father of Ihor Ihnatenko, a soldier who died in the Russian-Ukrainian War.
The book is bound in a thick burgundy cover, with the spine featuring a trident, the title, and the publisher’s name in the golden letters. On the flyleaf, there is a handwritten dedication: “To dear Yaroslav Pinchuk with peaceful wishes for his future scientific career, from Ya. Rudnytskyj. 01.01.1980.” On the title page there is a stamp: “J. B. RUDNYC’KYJ COLLECTION from: T. Datskiv DONATION.” Additional stamps reading “J. B. RUDNYC’KYJ COLLECTION” are found on pages 13, 51, 143, 287, 381, 503, 653, 809, and the back flyleaf. Furthermore, the title page, the back flyleaf, and pages 9, 73, 127, 259, 393, 643, 725, and 927 contain stamps from the personal library of Yaroslav R. Pinchuk with the motto “Seek Wisdom.” The volume consists of 968 pages and includes numerous illustrations and maps.