History of Eastern Europe: A Captivating Guide to a Shortened History of Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Moldova, Belarus, and Romania (European Countries) Paperback – 25 Sept. 2021

Book in very good condition. Very happy with it.

This book gives a comprehensive account of medieval to modern day Eastern Europe. History books can be very dry, especially when covering long periods of time, many countries and large geographic areas but this one is not. It more than adequately covers huge territory, both in a physical and historical sense. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in European history and culture. A great read!

This book was much better than I expected. The history of Eastern Europe is a complicated subject, often unfamiliar to readers. This book provides a good overview from which the reader can move on to more specialised areas. The simplified format would be especially useful to younger students, but there is also a lot of detail and it is highly illustrated. The publishers, Captivating History, are trying a new way of producing history books (1). Once I accepted the publisher’s approach, I rather liked it.THE BOOK: This is a review of the softcover edition, but this is really a printing of an eBook. The book has ten chapters (2) spread across three hundred and thirty four pages, plus a conclusion on modern Europe (one page) and References (one page of books/eBooks and nine pages of Internet sources). The sentences are short and the pagination is generous, but the font size is readable. It is highly illustrated (3).THE SOURCES: Most pages have footnotes which are always references to the sources used on that page. These references are mostly based on four sources: Jankowski, Tomek , Liulevicius, Vejas Gabriel , video course, 2015, Jenkins, Simon , 2019 and the on-line Encyclopaedia Britannica.______________________________________________________________(1) The book has no author name except the publisher, Captivating History, and there are no other details about the publisher, nor a date of publication or ISBN number. There is a web site with more details about all of the organisation’s eBooks and I presume that they consider themselves an electronic publisher. The last page of the book states that it was “printed in Great Britain by Amazon”.The title of the book is: “History of Eastern Europe”. The sub-title expands on this: “A captivating guide to a shortened history of Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Moldova, Belarus, and Romania”.The publisher explains their method in the Introduction and on the Back Cover:“The reader should know that this is not a full, comprehensive history. We’ve collected the most fascinating tales from Eastern European history as an introduction to this intriguing subject. We hope you’ll do more research on your own. From the Romans and the Byzantines to the fall of the Soviet Union, the history of Eastern Europe reads like a dramatic tale, and it is one that we can’t wait to share with you.” (Introduction, page 2)“A lot of history books just contain dry facts that will eventually bore the reader. That’s why Captivating History was created. Now you can enjoy history books that will mesmerize you. But be careful though, hours can fly by, and before you know it, you’re up reading way past bedtime.” (Back Cover)(2) ContentsChapter 1 Where is Eastern Europe?Chapter 2 The Ancient World in Eastern Europe (6500 BCE to 475 CE)Chapter 3 The Migration Period (300-800 CE)Chapter 4 The Rise of Medieval Empires and Spheres of Control (800-242 CE)Chapter 5 Enter the Mongols: the Invasion of the Mongol Horde to the Fall of Constantinople 1242-1453)Chapter 6 Eastern Europe Meets Early Modern Europe: The 15th and 16th Centuries in Eastern EuropeChapter 7 The Turning Point: The 17th and 18th Centuries in Eastern EuropeChapter 8 The Partition of Poland and the Long 19th Century (1772-1914)Chapter 9 Stuck Between Two World Wars (1914-1945)Chapter 10 The Post-War Years, the Fall of Communism, and the Post-Communist WorldConclusion – Modern Eastern EuropeReferences(3) All the illustrations are in black and white and are mostly half or third of a page in size. There are over 100 illustrations, one for every two or three pages. Half the illustrations are maps; the other half are mostly reproductions of etchings, historical paintings and photographs. For the maps, the detail can sometimes be difficult to see and if they were originally multi-coloured the information given by the colouring is lost. 80% of the maps are from credited sources, the rest from the Public Domain. The opposite is true for the other illustrations. The reproductions of the history paintings can sometime be difficult to see properly in black and white.

Loved it! A clear explanation of such a complex history.A must read to understand actual scenario in the region.

No complaints

The book was very informative, learned a lot BUT the maps! One, they're mostly too small to see the detail; two, the highlights are mentioned as coloured areas ... the maps are black & white!!

This is a cheaply made book that draws information from only a few sources, doesn't integrate the information well into a smooth story, and reads like written by a non-expert, possibly even a non-historian. The printing quality is not good either. Good amount of figures, but not all are informative, all are black and white and quite a few are from dubious sources. Figures are not always integrated well into the text. The printed text is quite faint not pleasant to the eye. The book is part of a whole series of similar books. Overall, this book series seems like a quick money making machine to me. This book is perhaps good for a quick intro, but not for the serious reader.

pages are falling out. Not happened with any other book I have bought in years

"A History of Eastern Europe" by Captivating History is an excellent resource for anyone interested in understanding the rich and multifaceted history of this often overlooked region. The book is a masterful blend of detailed research and engaging storytelling, making it accessible to both history enthusiasts and casual readers alike.The author does a fantastic job of covering the vast timeline of Eastern Europe’s history, from ancient times through to the modern era. Each chapter is packed with information but presented in a way that is easy to follow. The narrative is clear and concise, providing insights into the major events, cultures, and figures that have shaped Eastern Europe over the centuries.One of the standout features of this book is its ability to connect historical events to the present-day geopolitical landscape. This context is invaluable for readers seeking to understand current affairs in Eastern Europe. The author also highlights the diverse cultures and peoples of the region, showcasing the rich tapestry that makes up Eastern Europe.In addition to its educational value, the book is also an enjoyable read. The writing style is captivating, with vivid descriptions and anecdotes that bring history to life. Whether you are a student, a history buff, or simply someone looking to expand your knowledge, "A History of Eastern Europe" is a must-read.Overall, Captivating History has delivered a comprehensive and engaging history book that will leave readers with a deeper appreciation for Eastern Europe’s past and its influence on the world today. Highly recommended!---

Provides the reader with a thorough history of this part of the world, and the continuing search for identity that some may never achieve……

People who really intend to learn something consistent about Eastern Europe should not read this book that is crippled by a confusing mix of approximations and plain mistakes. Good to start a BBQ.

An excellent book on the history of eastern Europe, with just enough detail to link the periods without boring the reader. If you're looking for a complete overview of history in Eastern Europe then this is the book for you.

I started learning the history of Eastern Europe after Russian invasion to Ukraine.The history there is too complicated to find out who was right and who was wrong.At least, I found that Russia doesn't have a reason for mass killing in neighbouring countries.