“Brutal Catalyst: What Ukraine’s Cities Tell Us About Recovery From War” Book Review

Brutal Catalyst: What Ukraine’s Cities Tell Us About Recovery From War. By Dr. Russell W. Glenn. Boulder: KeyPoint Press, 2024. ISBN:979-8-9909158-5-5. Maps. Notes. Sources Cited. Pp. iv, 511. $15.99.

Introduction

Since Feb. 24, 2022, the Russian strikes on the cities of Kyiv, Kherson, Odesa, and Mariupol have persisted in a complex and multidimensional conflict. Brutal Catalyst: What Ukraine’s Cities Tell Us About Recovery From War by Dr. Russell W. Glenn offers a comparative analysis of Ukraine’s wartime urban challenges alongside historical postwar reconstruction in Tokyo, Nagasaki, Berlin, Manila, and Sarajevo. Glenn’s research enables readers to comprehend the depth of Ukraine’s trauma and the impact of destruction. The book provides a strategic framework for Ukraine’s redevelopment.

Summary

Ukraine’s Cities in Conflict

Exploring the legacy of war and the path for recovery, Brutal Catalyst examines the effects of Russia’s invasion on the key Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv, Kherson, and Mariupol. Glenn compares Ukraine’s cities to postwar Nagasaki, Tokyo, Berlin, and Manila. Drawing on historical perspectives, he investigates urban destruction, recovery strategies, and key takeaways. Brutal Catalyst is a foundation for understanding the geopolitical significance of urban warfare and its societal consequences. Targeting Ukrainian civilian-centric locations caused disproportionately high civilian casualties, referred to as Russian “urbiside” by Glenn (p.21). In occupied cities, Russia employed Influence tactics, including introducing Russian currency, promoting misinformation, implementing re-education efforts, and modifying living conditions. Glenn notes these in the context of propaganda as means of control and assimilation. These effects and the broader conflict’s impact have displaced “one-quarter of the national population” (p.22).

Lessons from Historic Postwar Recovery

Glenn turns to World War II-era case studies, Tokyo, Nagasaki, Berlin, Manila, and Sarajevo, to illustrate how large-scale devastation, ideological conflicts, and public health crises define recovery. For example, post-war Japan sought to balance urban physical reconstruction goals with investments in health infrastructure to combat malnutrition and mental illness. Without a comprehensive, long-term strategy and investment, recovery stagnated, impacting quality of life, fostering corruption, and black-market activity. Corruption, political hierarchies, and warzone conditions aggravated Berlin’s post-war recovery. The corrupt environment necessitated black markets for survivors (p. 74). Glenn also highlights the role of architecture as both a historical and political force, noting how decisions to rebuild or replace structures shaped the course of postwar recovery.

In Manila, competing international funding priorities complicated and delayed recovery efforts. Manila’s destruction resembled that of Nagasaki, Tokyo, and Berlin, with intense combat leaving the city in economic turmoil and physically devastated. (p. 81). Like Tokyo and Berlin, Manila faced poor living conditions, high unemployment, inflation, and corruption, furthering social unrest and insurgency (p. 90). Glenn warns that corruption can undermine state legitimacy and social unity, impacting long-term recovery (p. 92).

Aspects of Social Recovery

Glenn notes that in postwar Tokyo, Berlin, and Manila, cultural divisions and scapegoating fueled blame-shifting and social fragmentation, which impeded recovery(p. 96). However, in Sarajevo, recovery was further complicated by deep ethnic tensions and “genocidal threats and violence” (p. 98). He advises that, as in Sarajevo, effective rebuilding requires reintegration, social trust, and inclusive governance (p. 117). Glenn argues that while physical reconstruction is vital, “it is the social recovery of Sarajevo that is providing the greater challenge” (p. 120). Urban destruction is only one factor in a city’s restoration.

Brutal Catalyst illuminates the effects of occupation do not impact all cities equally and vary depending on duration, ongoing violence, and the occupier’s influence (p. 121). In Ukraine, Kharkiv struggles with cultural divisions related to its history and proximity to Russia (p. 123). In Kherson, the occupation left behind widespread trauma (p. 151). Mariupol, ruined by bombardment and under Russian control, faces the added obstacles of foreign-directed reconstruction and resettlement (p. 167).  Historical perspectives reveal that the effects of enemy occupation increase recovery complexity. Glenn writes, “the aftermath of war is often longer than the conflict itself”(p. 287).

Conclusion and Takeaways

Post-World War II and modern Ukrainian cities share a common pursuit: survival, identity, and peace. Glenn argues that examining historical critical decisions that shaped recovery offers insight.  However, he states each city’s path is unique based on identity, damage, and duration. Throughout Brutal Catalyst, Glenn underscores the essential role of leadership in coordinating local and international resources, providing accurate transparency, restoring healthcare systems and housing, reestablishing employment, managing environmental cleanup, and rebuilding infrastructure.  He emphasizes that quantifying recovery’s progress through measuring outcomes is imperative. Additionally, assessing the extent of black markets and corruption is required to mitigate these issues and prevent negative and lasting impacts on recovery.

Brutal Catalyst argues that sustainable recovery relies on education, reconciliation, and rebuilding social systems, while addressing economic development, funding shortages,  and corruption. Glenn offers a framework for recovery and highlights Ukraine’s resilience, unity, and citizens’ trust in leadership as key strengths for the long term. He contends that social cohesion and a sustained commitment to recovery will be critical. Ukraine’s recovery experience will offer a lasting framework that may be applied during and after the war. Global approaches are needed to unify leadership, provide resources for redevelopment, and support a collective commitment to recovery.

Analysis

Brutal Catalyst: What Ukraine’s Cities Tell Us About Recovery From War proposes a model for cities worldwide facing devastation in the aftermath of conflict or major disasters. Grounded in historical precedent, Glenn shows recovery goes beyond reconstructing cities and infrastructure. He reports that Ukraine’s urgent and ongoing struggle to rebuild has started as the war continues. Brutal Catalyst emphasizes that rebuilding Ukraine will require international support, local and international governance, trust, and social cohesion. With maps, charts, and detailed examples, Glenn argues that healing, rebuilding, and redevelopment in catastrophic conditions “takes the best of our closely interconnected world to help a country recover from war”(p. 390).

Exhaustive research, compelling storytelling, and a future focus, Glenn’s analysis provides a compass to overcome the formidable obstacles to achieving a sustainable recovery- for Ukraine and beyond.  Relevant for scholars, policymakers, urban researchers, and novice historians, Brutal Catalyst is a consequential guide for international relations and urban recovery.