The Other Europe - by E Walters (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The Other Europe is a general history of Eastern Europe, from the earliest times to the end of World War II. Walters provides an informed and interpretively refreshing focus on this key region. Walters' objective is to acquaint the student and nonspecialist reader with the complex past of this politically and culturally important area. The general lack of knowledge about Eastern Europe is in part due to the vast diversity of its lands (language barriers themselves have daunted many scholars) and to the fact that, before the imposition of the Soviet template in 1944-45, what is now called Eastern Europe was not usually perceived as a distinct geopolitical entity.

"The other Europe" as defined by Walters encompasses Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, and Albania. Today these countries form the strategic zone between Western Europe and the Soviet Union.

Walters emphasizes the phenomenon of nationalism because of its varied manifestations in the region, and he examines the way each nation sees itself, its neighbors, and the world beyond. The Other Europe describes the major events--predominantly revolution and war--that have shaped these countries' national consciousnesses and their distinctive cultural heritages.

Review Quotes

This is the kind of book that East European historians have been waiting for, myself included.-- "Dr. Walter Ullmann, Syracuse University"

About the Author

E. Garrison Walters is the Director of Graduate and Special Programs at the Ohio Board of Regents and also teaches Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures at Ohio State University. He is coauthor of lmi place limba Romana, A Romanian Reader. Walters received his Ph.D. from Ohio State University.