Description

Spanning a period of 2000 years from the Roman conquest of Dacia to the present day, A Concise History of Romania traces the development of a unique nation situated on the border between East and West. In this illuminating new history, Keith Hitchins explores Romania’s struggle to find its place amidst two diverse societies: one governed by Eastern orthodox tradition, spirituality and agriculture and the other by Western rationalism, experimentation and capitalism. The book charts Romania’s advancement through five significant phases of its history: medieval, early modern, modern and finally the nation’s ‘return to Europe’; evaluating all the while Romania’s part in European politics, economic and social change, intellectual and cultural renewals and international entanglements. This is a fascinating history of an East European nation; one which sheds new light on the complex evolution of the Romanians and the identity they have successfully crafted from a unique synthesis of traditions.

Publisher Review

'This is a book that every historian in Romania dreams of writing: absorbing in its narrative and wide ranging in terms of its sources, yet perfectly integrated within Romanian national historiography ... Hitchins is possibly Romania's greatest living historian.' Marius Turda, H-Net Reviews 'A Concise History of Romania bears the Hitchins trademarks: a clear, unruffled style, underpinned by an effective structure and formidable erudition lightly worn ... the text is based on meticulous research in many languages, yet remains easy to follow. It forms an excellent introduction for undergraduate students or anyone else seeking to acquire the foundations of a complex set of events and influences over the long term.' Alex Drace-Francis, European History Quarterly