Never Say War: Life Inside Russia - Åsne Seierstad (Translated by Siân Mackie)

Never Say War: Life Inside Russia

(Author: Åsne Seierstad | Translator: Siân Mackie)

“A totally unprecedented, behind-the-scenes portrait of Putin's Russia at war. Astonishing. A major work.” — Antony Beevor

Putin's Russia silences dissent, targets independent journalists, and wages war on a neighboring country—all while making it illegal for its own citizens to call it a war. We see the news from the outside, but what does life actually feel like on the inside?

Bestselling investigative journalist Åsne Seierstad found her way into this hidden world through Andrey Medvedev, a young Russian soldier who defected from the infamous Wagner mercenary group and sought asylum in Norway. Born just as Vladimir Putin rose to power, Andrey's life story mirrors the rapid transformation of his country over the last two decades.

Tracing Andrey’s network, Seierstad gains unprecedented access to everyday Russian society—from teachers, farmers, and regional reporters to wives and mothers left behind by soldiers on the front lines.

Written with novelistic narrative depth, human empathy, and rigorous reporting, Never Say War offers an epic, unvarnished portrait of contemporary Russia, exploring how today’s society was forged and how its citizens view the future of their nation.

Key Features:

• Unprecedented First-Hand Access: Tells the story of Andrey Medvedev, a former Wagner Group defector, along with candid interviews from everyday Russian citizens.

• Masterclass in Investigative Journalism: Authored by Åsne Seierstad, the internationally acclaimed author of The Bookseller of Kabul, Two Sisters, and The Afghans.

• Deep Geopolitical & Social Insights: Explores state censorship, wartime propaganda, civic resilience, and public sentiment inside modern Russia.

• Critically Acclaimed Non-Fiction: Endorsed by leading historians and journalists including Antony Beevor, Luke Harding, and Christina Lamb.