This is a highly complex book that has been penned by an expert academic.

The complexity stems from one straightforward fact: the history that he writes about is extremely intricate.

Keeping that in mind, I discovered this to be a captivating read, albeit far from being an "easy" one.

That being said, the precise utilization of language and careful reading yield substantial dividends when delving into the past of this fascinating region, through all of its turmoil and change.

Currently, I would not consider myself to be expert enough in the field to offer a useful opinion regarding balance, coverage, and so on.

All that I can state is that I am much better informed and have happily commenced reading around the topics that were discussed.

The book has inspired me to conduct further research and to look beyond the broad overview and the astute insights.

It has opened up a new world of knowledge and exploration for me, and I am eager to continue this journey of discovery.

I believe that this book is a valuable addition to the field of history and will be of great interest to scholars and enthusiasts alike.

A thorough yet easy read on the often troubled history of a region that is vitally important in understanding the overall history of Europe.

This book is truly impressive in its extensive scope. It manages to cover a wide range of historical events and developments while still maintaining an excellent clarity throughout. The author has done a remarkable job of presenting complex historical information in a way that is accessible to readers of all levels of historical knowledge.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Central European history in general. It provides a comprehensive and detailed account of the region's past, including its political, social, and cultural aspects.

In particular, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the conflicts that affected Europe in the first half of the twentieth century. As arguably, this book demonstrates that these conflicts disproportionately affected the countries in this region. It also shows that the formations of new countries in this region were in part responsible for the outbreak of the Second World War.

Overall, this is an excellent book that provides a valuable contribution to the field of Central European history. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex and often tragic history of this important region.

This is an article that makes a rather bold claim.

It states that there is an exceptionally well-written book that focuses on a very narrow topic.

The author uses this example to prove the point that any history book can be good if it is well-written.

It's interesting to think about how a book on a seemingly uninteresting or niche topic can be transformed into a captivating read through the power of good writing.

Perhaps the author of this particular book was able to bring the subject matter to life in a vivid and engaging way, using detailed research and a narrative style that kept readers hooked from beginning to end.

It also makes one wonder what other hidden gems of history are out there, waiting to be discovered through the medium of a well-written book.

Overall, this article serves as a reminder that the quality of writing can make all the difference when it comes to historical literature.

Historical memory is a crucial Central European attribute. It involves a past that is so distant that it scarcely resembles the so-called realities of the contemporary world. In this part of the world, history is both epic and tragic. Small nations have often engaged in struggles against larger ones, and more often than not, they have lost. The past is filled with inexcusable transgressions and missed opportunities. The present is burdened with the unfinished business of the past. And the future presents a chance to finally rectify a historical record that has been, at best, inauspicious and, at worst, unjust.

Developing an understanding of what can be termed the subjective dimension of Central Europe is essential for comprehending the region. This includes the (usually quite good) stories that Central European peoples tell about themselves and the (usually rather bad) ones they tell about their neighbors. Some of the issues that Central Europeans have with themselves and with one another are connected to the fact that their history haunts them. It lingers in their collective consciousness, influencing their perspectives and interactions.

To truly understand Central Europe, one must delve into this complex web of historical memory, subjective narratives, and the lingering effects of the past. Only then can a more comprehensive and nuanced picture of the region emerge.

This book was published quite some time ago, so it is not current.

However, it provides a comprehensive overview up to the early 1990s and contains some perspectives and information that are completely new to me.

I found this to be a very interesting examination of European history.

The author has done a great job of presenting the material in an engaging and accessible way.

Despite its age, the book still has a lot to offer readers who are interested in learning about European history.

It covers a wide range of topics, including politics, economics, culture, and social change.

The author's insights and analysis add depth and nuance to the narrative, making it a valuable resource for both students and general readers alike.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of European history.

During the 1980s, the Czech-born writer Milan Kundera provided a unique definition of Central Europe. He described it as "that... part of Europe situated geographically in the center, culturally in the West, and politically in the East." For most Americans, however, it is often regarded as "flyover country," simply a region located between Germany and Russia.

Consequently, it is truly refreshing to come across a history of the part of the world from which my family hails without being overshadowed by either Germany or Russia. Central Europe is a distinct place, unfortunately sandwiched between two giants that, especially in the past hundred years, have treated it rather roughly.

Lonnie R. Johnson, in his work "CENTRAL EUROPE: Enemies, Neighbors, Friends," has accomplished a valuable task. He describes how a dozen small countries have managed to navigate a precarious dance at the edge of the abyss without succumbing. Additionally, it is beneficial to view both Germany and Russia from the perspective of the Baltic countries, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Balkans, rather than the other way around.

Johnson begins his account almost from the very beginning, during the Dark Ages, and explores the changes in the formation and dissolution of countries over the years. Although, generally speaking, Americans do not purchase a significant amount of goods from this region, I have always held the belief that its time has not yet arrived. It would be wonderful to think that all those small Slavic and Finno-Ugrian (in the case of Estonia and Hungary) nations possess the potential that will eventually blossom into works of genius and perhaps even prosperity.

Rick Steves is a renowned travel expert, and his recommended reading for travel to Eastern Europe is truly a treasure trove of knowledge.

His books provide detailed insights into the history, culture, and attractions of this fascinating region.

By reading his recommendations, I have learned a great deal about the diverse countries that make up Eastern Europe.

I have discovered hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path destinations that I might otherwise have missed.

The information is presented in an engaging and accessible way, making it easy for even novice travelers to understand.

Rick Steves' recommended reading has not only enhanced my understanding of Eastern Europe but has also inspired me to plan my own trip to this beautiful part of the world.

I highly recommend his books to anyone interested in traveling to Eastern Europe.

You are sure to learn a lot and have an unforgettable travel experience.

Central Europe's history is truly a convoluted mess!

I really can't fathom why anyone would attempt to draw up a map of those countries as it was in a state of perpetual change.

I only perused the last one-third of the book, which covered the period from World War II to the present day.

This book gave me the distinct impression that I was back in college, as it reads much like a textbook, extremely dry and lacking in excitement.

However, on the positive side, it did enhance my understanding of communism to some extent.

Overall, while the book provided some valuable insights into Central Europe's history, its presentation left a lot to be desired.

I am now declaring this book as read, as I have a strong doubt that I'll be able to finish it at any time in the near future. I managed to reach page 324 in the 2011 edition, which is a non-circulating copy available at the Reference Library. I initially began reading this book prior to our Fall 2019 trip to Central Europe. However, I didn't quite complete it then. So, upon my return, I continued to read it during my lunch breaks at work, and this went on until February 2020, just before the pandemic occurred. I truly appreciate the writing style of this book. The author starts by delving into a time over a millennium ago, vividly describing the geography of the region and how it has had a profound impact on the history. It provides a fascinating perspective and makes the reading experience quite engaging.

Central Europe has a rich and accessible history that can be explored through easily digested country by country chapters.

One important takeaway from this history is the failure of 20th Century style nationalism. Nationalism during this time often involved forming countries based on ethnicity or some vague claim of a people's historical borders.

However, this approach did not solve the centuries old problem of abuse at the hands of the two abutting superpowers, Russia and Germany. Central European countries found themselves caught between the interests and power struggles of these two giants.

Despite the efforts to create nation-states based on ethnic or historical lines, the region continued to face challenges such as political instability, territorial disputes, and economic hardships.

The history of Central Europe serves as a reminder that simplistic solutions like 20th Century style nationalism may not be sufficient to address complex and long-standing issues. It also highlights the importance of understanding the historical context and the relationships between different countries and powers in the region.

Surprisingly great! This book truly made me realize the extent to which my history education has been teleological. It made me question the assumption that the post-WWII global order is the natural state of affairs and that history is just the story of how we got there.

Places that were behind the Iron Curtain in the 20th century always seemed like “Eastern Europe.” However, this book makes it clear that this eastward orientation was an aberration. In the first chapter, we learn how Europe east of the Roman Empire was Christianized, partly by the Catholic Church and partly by the Orthodox Church. This dividing line led to different cultural orientations that still persist today. Central Europe, which includes modern-day Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Austria, eastern Germany, as well as Lithuania, Slovenia, western Romania, and Ukraine, was the Catholic portion of that area. It was, in fact, the easternmost part of Western Europe, not the western frontier of Eastern Europe. Later, as the Ottoman Empire expanded in the Balkans, Central Europe became the “bulwark of Christendom.” Nowadays, it has reassumed that role in a secular context, policing the external frontiers of the Schengen area.

Johnson does an excellent job of explaining the evolution of Central Europe’s political entities over time. Multi-ethnic, multilingual empires were the norm for many centuries, first dominated by Poland, Hungary, and Bohemia, and then by the Habsburgs and the Prussians. In this more cosmopolitan era, German settlers spread east, bringing with them the technology and culture of Western Europe and contributing to a west-to-east gradient of development that still exists today. However, the rise of nationalism in the 19th century sought to impose cartographical order onto this patchwork of people and cultures. Multinational empires like Austria-Hungary fractured, the dozens of German states coalesced, wars redrew the map, and mass expulsions in the wake of WWII finally produced a collection of small, relatively homogenous nation-states.

It was also fascinating to hear about familiar parts of history, such as the world wars and the Cold War, from a Central European perspective and as the outcome of previous history, rather than as the starting point of contemporary geopolitics. I’ve heard a lot about WWII from an American perspective, but this book gave me a much deeper understanding of the war as a Central European phenomenon. I learned about the roots of German expansionism, the early success of the German war effort, and the degrees of collaboration and complicity among Central European countries. For example, because of the Hungarian regime’s halfhearted collaboration, Nazi policies weren’t enforced as strictly as they were in countries that Germany occupied, and Hungary’s Jewish population was protected (relatively speaking) until Germany took control of the country in March 1944.

I also thought Johnson did a great job of stepping away from chronology at times to talk about the long ripples of history. He shows Central Europe as a place where centuries of history still feel current and relevant. For example, Bohemia was an independent kingdom from the 13th century, but in the 17th century it was absorbed into the Habsburg Empire, with its nobility suppressed after an attempted uprising. Johnson explains how the absence of an indigenous nobility to lead the development of a Czech national identity in the age of nationalism produced a more democratic, egalitarian, and pragmatic political spirit than in countries like Poland and Hungary, whose nobility survived into the 19th century. At the same time, having an independent kingdom in their national history caused Czechs to view themselves as a people with a proud history, while they saw their linguistic cousins the Slovaks as a “subject nation” with “no history.” This prejudice contributed to the Velvet Divorce of Czechoslovakia in 1993. (It’s probably fair to say that there are some generalizations here, but I think that’s inevitable and necessary in a book of this scope, and it’d be a lot less compelling if it had too much hemming and hawing.)

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read. The writing is a bit dry at times (but not miserably academic, at least), and the final chapter takes a different tack than the rest of the book (lots of economic data) that’s less compelling, so I couldn’t quite give it 5 stars, but it’s a solid 4.

I read this book prior to a journey to Central Europe.

I was eager to obtain some historical context for several of the locations I would be visiting.

Thankfully, this book truly lived up to my expectations.

In fact, it provided far more details than I initially thought I required.

However, if one is seeking a comprehensive history of the region, this book is surely among the finest resources available.

It offers a wealth of information that can enhance one's understanding and appreciation of Central Europe's rich past.

Whether it's the political, social, or cultural aspects, this book covers it all.

Overall, I would highly recommend it to anyone planning a trip to Central Europe or simply interested in learning more about this fascinating region.