History Derailed: Central and Eastern Europe in the Long Nineteenth Century
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Book Overview
There is probably no greater authority on the modern history of central and eastern Europe than Ivan Berend, whose previous work, Decades of Crisis, was hailed by critics as "masterful" and "the broadest synthesis of the modern social, economic, and cultural history of the region that we possess." Now, having brought together and illuminated this region's storm-tossed history in the twentieth century, Berend turns his attention to the equally turbulent period that preceded it. The "long" nineteenth century, extending up to World War I, contained the seeds of developments and crises that continue to haunt the region today.
The book begins with an overview of the main historical trends in the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries, during which time the region lost momentum and became the periphery, no longer in step with the rising West. It concludes with an account of the persisting authoritarian political structures and the failed modernization that paved the way for social and political revolts. The origins of twentieth-century extremism and its tragedies are plainly visible in this penetrating account.
The book begins with an overview of the main historical trends in the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries, during which time the region lost momentum and became the periphery, no longer in step with the rising West. It concludes with an account of the persisting authoritarian political structures and the failed modernization that paved the way for social and political revolts. The origins of twentieth-century extremism and its tragedies are plainly visible in this penetrating account.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0520245253
ISBN13:9780520245259
Release Date:January 2005
Publisher:University of California Press
Length:404 Pages
Weight:1.23 lbs.
Dimensions:1.1" x 6.0" x 8.8"
Customer Reviews
1 rating
Superb Synthesis
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
At last, a synthesis of Eastern European history of the 19th and early 20th centuries that covers all the major issues, social, eocnomic, political and intellectual, uses the best in both pre-and post-Communist era scholarly studies, and presents in a clear, well-organized, and readable style. He has no axes to grind, and explains clearly how the many ethnic groups and their main oppressors sharpened theirs by adapting western concepts of nationalism and group identity, shifted these powerful ideas from an intellectual elite to the masses, and helped bring about the horrors of two world wars and the current mess in the Balkans. Well done. Essential reading.
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