Jessie Asya Kanzer | Akateeminen Kirjakauppa

Volodymyr Zelensky captivated the world when his country was invaded by Russia in February 2022. His appearances were accompanied by countless inspiring statements. But there's a single one that informs Unlocking Your Inner Zelensky: 'We are all simple people.'

Jessie Kanzer sees Zelensky as a Spiritual Leader for Our Times. As a native Russian speaker (like Zelensky himself), she picks up on the deep philosophical ramifications behind his words. Rich and yet easy-to-read, the life lessons in Unlocking Your Inner Zelensky are accessible and wise, and are more about starting where you are than about war.

Each chapter begins with the lesson and wraps up with 'Tips from Ze'. Readers will see how Zelensky handled his much-criticised background as a comedian when he came into elective office. The tips include spreading graciousness and acknowledging that it's not 'all about you' to erase differences in backgrounds.

Kanzer herself has a bit part in Zelensky's life story, acting in one of his movies filmed in the States. She's a self-described 'spiritual nerd' who followed Zelensky long before he stood before a blue and yellow backdrop on the national stage. She writes, 'What is so incredible about our man Volodymyr is that his belief in himself stems not from seeing himself as special, but from seeing himself as ordinary and from knowing there is great power in this ordinariness.'