Bread and War
'Stories of kindness, bravery and love shine from these pages' Nigel Slater
'A brave, necessary account of resilience and skill and the power of bread and connection' Olia Hercules
SHORTLISTED FOR THE JANE GRIGSON PRIZE
SHORTLISTED FOR THE FORTNUM & MASON FOOD AND DRINK AWARDS
How do you source, cook and take joy in food in the midst of war and loss?
Food is a weapon, a lifeline, a means of survival. Ukrainian food is also a powerful symbol of national identity and independence. This is a journey through mine-ridden, wrecked villages, repeatedly bombed cities, family kitchens and precarious small bakeries and cafes. Along the way news journalist and food writer Felicity Spector shares meals with soldiers, travels supply lines with volunteers and is fed incredible food by army cooks, fine bakers and home-cooking heroes.
The extraordinary stories of just some of those people – refugees and restaurateurs – trying to rebuild lives and kitchens after years of bombing, shows a very Ukrainian determination to provide good food for a besieged people.
Book details
- Format
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780715656242
- Published
- 2 April 2026
- Pages
- 256
- Duration
- Dimensions
- 129 x 198 mm
- Genre
- Travel Writing
- Illustrations
- 16pp colour plates
- Imprint
- Duckworth
Reviews
'This is a truly inspiring book about eating, cooking, and growing food at a time of war. Full of extraordinary human stories, both of loss and fortitude, in the midst of Russia’s invasion'
'A wonderful book. Felicity Spector writes vividly about the role played by food in wartime Ukraine, and the brave and enterprising volunteers who bake and cook it. She is an intrepid traveller and reporter. At a time when Russia is seeking to wipe out Ukraine’s culture – including its cuisine – Spector celebrates the meals that keep Ukrainian soldiers fed, and the nation's spirit alive'
'A beautifully written account of what I call 'resistance through care'. Important stories about brave people showing utmost resilience one freshly baked loaf at a time. A brave, necessary account of resilience and skill and the power of bread and connection'
'Looks unflinchingly at the havoc wrought by war and the distinctive character of the people who live in its midst'
'This is a very special book. Extraordinary and deeply inspiring. Stories of kindness, bravery and love shine from these pages'
'Vivid, adventurous… The author’s stories about the bakers and cooks she meets are both humanely ordinary and quietly heroic'
'Bread and War nourishes the soul like a slice of freshly baked Ukrainian sourdough. Felicity Spector’s compelling account of her mission to bring bread to the soldiers and villagers on the desolate frontline in mobile bakeries is gently heroic and humane. Reading it is like sharing a comforting meal with strangers in times of distress. It offers glimpses of humour and humanity in a landscape scarred by ferocious inhumanity. It is all the more poignant for taking place in the country that had been the world’s breadbasket until the war. Felicity must be a one off: a renowned food critic who has the courage to swap the ethereal detachment of writing about food for the earthy engagement of delivering it to one of the most dangerous places on earth'
'Food is national security. Food is economy. It is employment, energy, history. Food is everything'
