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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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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…

©2025 Colin Freeman (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers 21st Century Europe Military Modern Russia 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
'A gripping new account of the conflict, told not from the perspective of generals or governments, but through the eyes of the outsiders who answered President Zelensky's call to arms.' Michael Portillo
'Lays bare a few uncomfortable and untold realities… The Mad and the Brave is a solid piece of journalism and as much as a story of human nature as old as war itself.' Cliff Caswell, Soldier magazine
'Freeman writes in an easy style, treating squaddie humour, military incompetence and the chaos of a Ukrainian army suddenly thrust into a hot war with a sense of detachment… An interesting and thought-provoking read.' Army Rumour Service website
'Russia’s war against Ukraine is one of the most documented in human history. And yet, often the experience of soldiers on the frontline is the least mentioned aspect of its story, with most books focusing either on broad battle histories or the experience of civilians. Colin Freeman’s excellent new book remedies this imbalance from a unique angle: it’s a historical account of Russia’s invasion, told from the perspective of a rag-tag group of overseas volunteers… Freeman succeeds with a careful balance of sensitivity and honesty, as well as a dash of dark humour.' Ada Wordsworth, Daily Telegraph
'Freeman is a veteran journalist and he knows how to tell a story bloody well. Fascinating stories, without too much of the sugarcoating one sometimes expects…It is very much a ground-level account, including stories of people who were prisoners of war, and frankly it is all the better for its ground-level perspective. It is a great read.' Mark Galeotti
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This book is a unique blend of short stories, loosely intertwined, each one as gripping as the next. Colin Freeman is a superb writer with a real talent for getting under the skin of a story — capturing not just the facts but the emotions, the chaos, and the sheer bravery involved. His vivid storytelling brings to life an unforgettable cast of characters, each more fascinating than the last. A rich, rewarding read full of heart, humour, and humanity

Very human stories, demonstrating fascinating motivations.

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Colin Freeman is one of my favourite authors after his fantastic Kidnapped book. This one is equally insightful and well written following individuals who signed up to go and fight in Ukraine

Great insight following specific people through the war

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so glad this was written.
so glad it was so well researched and written
its a world we'd never have understood, even if we had ever considered going!

amazing! this needed to be written

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really enjoyed couldn't stop listening onwnof the best books I have list ned to in years thanks

good insight

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This isn't a book of Andy McNab tales. It does give insights into the background, motivation, experiences and personal consequences of some International Brigade fighters defending Ukraine and Western democracy. Some are flawed characters who have made grave mistakes in life but manage to take control of life whilst risking all by trying to do something that is just and that suits them better than civilian life. The book made me question British life and how we judge people that have gone a little off the rails.

At one point I was reminded of the bit in Apocalypse Now where Willard said...
"When I was here, I wanted to be there. When I was there, all I could think of was getting back into the jungle."

Life at Home versus Life on the Line of Contact

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