Andres Kasekamp

In this key textbook, Andres Kasekamp masterfully traces the development of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, from the northern crusades against Europe's last pagans and Lithuania's rise to become one of medieval Europe's largest states, to their incorporation into the Russian Empire and the creation of their modern national identities. Employing a comparative approach, a particular emphasis is placed upon the last one hundred years, during which the Baltic states achieved independence, endured occupation by the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, and transformed themselves into members of the European Union. This is an essential textbook for undergraduate students taking modules on Eastern or Central European History, Communism and Post-Communism, the Soviet Union, or Baltic Culture and Politics. Engaging and accessible, this is also an ideal introduction to the Baltic States for general readers.

In this key textbook, Andres Kasekamp masterfully traces the development of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, from the northern crusades against Europe's last pagans and Lithuania's rise to become one of medieval Europe's largest states, to their incorporation into the Russian Empire and the creation of their modern national identities. Employing a comparative approach, a particular emphasis is placed upon the last one hundred years, during which the Baltic states achieved independence, endured occupation by the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, and transformed themselves into members of the European Union. This is an essential textbook for undergraduate students taking modules on Eastern or Central European History, Communism and Post-Communism, the Soviet Union, or Baltic Culture and Politics. Engaging and accessible, this is also an ideal introduction to the Baltic States for general readers.

Baltian kiehtovat vaiheet yksissä kansissaMitä kaikkea nykyiset Viro, Latvia ja Liettua ovat käyneet läpi historiansa aikana? Tämä tiivis, kattava ja kiehtova teos kertoo Baltiaksi kutsutun alueen vaiheet jääkauden lopusta nykyaikaan. Pääpaino on Baltiaa riepotelleessa 1900-luvussa ja poliittisessa historiassa. Lisäksi kirja valottaa talouskehitystä, sosiaalisia oloja ja kulttuuri-ilmiöitä. Teoksen vahvuus on vertaileva ja kokoava näkökulma: se piirtää Baltian menneisyyden pitkät linjat eikä tyydy kertaamaan kolmen erillisen valtion vaiheita. Näin piirtyy vaikuttava kuva Baltian rikkaasta ja traagisesta historiasta. Andres Kasekamp on politiikan tutkimuksen professori Tarton yliopistossa ja Viron ulkopoliittisen instituutin johtaja.