Book Description
Introduction
The Baltic States - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - are far from being the grey, Soviet-scarred republics that many people imagine them to be. For a start, they're graced by three of the most enthralling national capitals in Eastern Europe, each highly individual in character and boasting an extraordinary wealth of historic buildings, as well as an expanding and energetic nightlife and cultural scene. Outside the cities lie great swathes of unspoiled countryside, with deep, dark pine forests punctuated by stands of silver birch, calm blue lakes, and a wealth of bogs and wetlands, all bordered by literally hundreds of kilometres of silvery beach. Peppering the landscape are villages that look like something out of the paintings of Marc Chagall, their dainty churches and wonky timber houses leaning over narrow, rutted streets. As you'd expect from a region periodically battered by outside invaders, there are dramatic historical remains aplenty, from the grizzled ruins of the fortresses thrown up by land-hungry Teutonic Knights in the thirteenth century, to the crumbling military installations bequeathed by Soviet occupiers some 700 years later.
Although the half century spent under Soviet rule has left Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians with a great deal in common, they're each fiercely proud of their separate status, and tend to regard the "Baltic States" label as a matter of geographical convenience rather than a real indicator of shared culture.
The Latvians and Lithuanians do at least have similar origins, having emerged from the Indo-European tribes who settled the area some two thousand years before Christ, and they still speak closely related languages. The Estonians, on the other hand, have lived here at least three millennia longer and speak a Finno-Ugric tongue that has more in common with Finnish than with the languages of their next-door neighbours. In historical and religious terms, it's the Lithuanians that are a nation apart - having carved out a huge, independent empire in medieval times, they then converted to the Catholic faith in order to cement an alliance with Poland. In contrast, the Latvians and Estonians were conquered by Teutonic Knights in the thirteenth century and subjected to a German-speaking feudal culture that had become solidly Protestant by the mid-1500s. From the eighteenth-century onwards, the destinies of the three Baltic peoples began to converge, with most Latvians and Estonians being swallowed up by the Tsarist Empire during the reign of Peter the Great and the Lithuanians following several decades later. Despite their common predicament, no great tradition of Baltic cooperation emerged, and when the three Baltic States became independent democracies in 1918-1920 - only to lose their independence to the USSR and Nazi Germany two decades later - they did so as isolated units rather than as allies.
The one occasion on which the Baltic nations truly came together was in the 1988-1991 period, when a shared sense of injustice at what the Soviet Union had done to them produced an outpouring of inter-Baltic solidarity. At no time was this more evident than when an estimated two million people joined hands to form a human chain stretching from Tallinn to Vilnius on 23 August, 1989, the fiftieth anniversary of the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop pact - the cynical Soviet-Nazi carve-up that had brought the curtain down on inter-war Baltic independence. Baltic fellow feeling became less pronounced in the post-Soviet period when each country began to focus on its own problems, and it's now the differences - rather than the similarities - between the Baltic peoples that most locals seem eager to impress upon visitors.
How different they actually are remains open to question, with both locals and outsiders resorting to a convenient collection of clichés whenever the question of national identity comes under discussion: the Lithuanians are thought to be warm and spontaneous, the Estonians distant and difficult to know, while the Latvians belong somewhere in between. In truth there are plenty of ethnographic similarities linking the three nationalities. A century ago the majority of Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians lived on isolated farmsteads or small villages, and a love for the countryside, coupled with a contemplative, almost mystical feeling for nature, still runs in the blood. Shared historical experiences - especially the years of Soviet occupation and the sudden re-imposition of capitalism that followed it - have produced people with broadly similar outlooks and, wherever you are in the Baltic States, you'll come across older people marked by fatalism and lack of initiative and younger generations characterized by ambition, impatience and adaptability to change.
The Baltic peoples today are also united by gnawing concerns about whether such relatively small countries can preserve their distinct identities in a rapidly globalizing world. The rush to join NATO and the EU has been broadly welcomed in all three countries, not least because membership of both organizations promises protection against any future resurgence of Russian power. However, locals remain keenly aware that they can only be bit-part players in any future Europe. Lithuania has a population of 3.8 million, Latvia 2.3 million, and Estonia only 1.4 million - hardly the stuff of economic or cultural superpowers. Combined with this is a looming fear of population decline in countries that share some of the lowest birth rates in the world. Such anxieties are particularly strong in Estonia and Latvia, where the indigenous populations are in many towns and cities outnumbered by other ethnic groups - particularly Russians - who were encouraged to move here during the Soviet period. Only 55 percent of Latvia's inhabitants are ethnic Latvians, and the figure in Estonia, at 65 percent, isn't much better. Eager to immerse themselves in the new Europe and yet profoundly concerned with the need to preserve their national uniqueness, the Baltic States find themselves at a challenging crossroads.
Customer Reviews:
Excellence .......2007-03-10
The product was in excellent shape when I received it. The book looked as if it were new and bought right off the book store shelf.
Correction.......2005-08-01
Number of Estonians is 68 percent, not 65 percent. Go pick up a Lonely Planet book instead!
Well written guide, but needs more details.......2004-09-27
The Rough Guides are usually written in a colorful, well-researched manner that makes them a joy to have along in order to learn about the places you are visiting while exploring the area, and this book delivers along those lines. Also true to Rough Guide form, however, the book lacks important details regarding transportation: how many buses, how often, where to buy tickets, best routes, etc.
The Baltic countries have experienced a major boom in tourism since EU membership in May 2004, and hotel rooms are booked far in advance. As such, Rough needs to expand their listings to include a larger percentage of hotels. In August 2004 we found all the hotels listed in the Rough Guide fully booked in all 3 Baltic capitals! Admittedly, we did not plan very far ahead, and to be fair to this book, we did not find a major guide with more complete hotel listings.
The Listings section in each chapter also provides a handy reference. In general, however, Rough should expand this section to make it really useful, as listings are a bit limited. They should also start adding sections such as: Cyber cafes with digital photo downloads, Where to buy a GSM SIM chip, and similar sections for the digital traveler, to really make the listings complete.
In each major destination, this book includes walking tours with some interesting information on buildings, churches and monuments, intertwined with history and cultural observations that makes for enjoyable reading and walks. We were glad to have this book along.
Book Description
In this timely book, Anatol Lieven presents an intimate and engaging portrait of the history and culture of the Baltic states from their ancient origins to their contemporary status. He explores the culture and personality of the Baltic peoples, their religious and racial differences, their relations with Russia and with the West. Drawing on a wide range of sources including interviews, newspaper accounts, and his own observations, he describes and analyzes the rise of national movements in each of the three countries after Glastnost and the possibilities for democracy and Europeanization or for ethnic conflict and nationalist dictatorship.
Customer Reviews:
Solid and opinionated, landmark of the era.......2004-07-15
This well-written, confident and elegantly worded book will not be the guidebook to the Baltics of today, but this is not why you would be picking this book in this day and age. 'The Baltic Revolution' is now firmly a part of the shelf looking at history - albeit a recent one, but history nevertheless.
It was fun to pick this book and leaf through it this week. My God - it was only written about a decade ago! So many things changed beyond belief (shops, houses, infrastructure, clothes - these are no-brainers; but also political life has matured incredibly, and Lithuania even managed to impeach its president caught with his hand in the till).
And then, even more bizarrely, you notice that so many things stayed the same. EXACTLY the same.
If you are in the Baltics for more than a week, this book would make a captivating reading: you will understand where Baltic ways of doing things, Balts' thoughts and idiosynchracies come from. In my travels, I found that studies of RECENT history of a country were the most revealing when trying to understand the national character. Maybe it is something about being able to see the process - see it 'to scale', so to speak.
The Baltic people are prisoners of their history more than they are willing to admit (and as a Lithuanian-born and Lithuanian-educated but UK-resident Lithuanian, I can say so without a fear of insulting sensibilities). In Lieven's book, you will read about the same character traits - but, visually, the countries really are nothing like those in which Mr Lieven lived when he used to write for 'The Times'.
Probably the smartest analogy I could think of would be as follows: imagine yourself staying in one of seven-star super-duper hotels in Dubai with plasma TVs and fish-tank walls and internet access in your shower AND while you're at it, read a book about the times when this emyrate was nothing but desert and camels.
It is, however, very sad to realize that, with a bit of luck, the Baltics may never again be in a situation where major newspapers would feel it is worthwile to retain a correspondent there. It is good news for the people of those countries that Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are no longer on the news map. They have developed into predictable democracies - unexciting but better for the people.
However, in the absence of seasoned correspondents, who is going to write books about them like Mr Lieven?
Dated but good introduction to the Baltics.......2003-11-10
Unfortunately, this book is now badly dated. So much has happened in the wake of the 91 revolution that the Baltic countries look much different than those Lieven presents in this book. However, his telling of the revolution and some of the events that led up to it provide the reader with a good background into the re-emergence of the Baltic nations.
Lithuania stands out because it was the first of the Baltics to physically make its case. Estonia had actually drafted its declaration of independence first but was afraid to make the first step. Not so with Lithuania, led by the charismatic Vytautus Landsbergis, a well-regarded composer, Lithuania proudly stood its ground against the Soviet tanks. With shades of the Prague Spring lurking in the shadows. Lithuania dubbed it the Singing Revolution, a nation well known for its folk songs. The people sung these sungs well into the night.
However, many of the prophecies Lieven fortold in this book failed to hold true. Although Estonia had the jump on the Baltics economically, thanks to its strong ties with Finland, the others soon caught up. Estonia's Hansabank continues to dominate banking, but Latvia and Lithuania have carved out their own economic niches and have done very well in the past 3 years.
The countries couldn't be any more different from one another. Their brief moment of unity was in declaring their independence, forming a memorable human chain across the three countries. However, since then it has been each country to its own, as they compete with each for European and other foreign investment.
There have been many other books written on the subject of Baltic independence and nationhood since Lieven offered this timely portrait. It is best to balance Lieven's account against other sources. But, at the time it was it was written, it was a very welcome book as it put forward the case for Baltic independence.
Something for everyone?!.......2003-06-15
This book is a good view of the path to the Baltic's 2nd Republic. The author gives a good account of what transpired in the Baltic republics during the late 80's and early 90's, when this book was written. He was living there and reports firsthand the events that transpired.
I almost felt that most of the book was about Lithuania. Maybe that is because Lithuania, unlike its northern neighbors, was able to resist teutonic conquest and allied itself with Poland. Lieven gives the reader history and more, because the actions the Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians took in becoming independant are rooted in history. For example, the 2nd Republic had to decide what constitution or laws were used. Most opted for the interwar laws and constitutions. But this conflicted with the European or EU view. So, the Balts were considered to be insensitive to the colonizers, in their midst. The Balts looked toward Europe, but their view of Europe was stuck in the interwar period. That was their only view, during the Soviet occupation. As the author states in arguments with "the extreme Right-wing parties about some of their ideas, and my knock-out blow (wrapped in less direct language) has always been: 'what you are saying is not European; it will separate you from the modern West'" page 71. This idea is sort of a mantra for the author. That the Balts do not know what it is to be European.
The book has notes, but no biliography. I found that to be unacceptable. The book is organized thus: 1 The Shape of the Land; 2 Surviving the Centuries; 3 Independence Won and Lost, 1918-40; 4 The Troglodyte International: The Soviet Impact on the Baltic; 5 Imagined Nations: Cycles of Cultural Rebirth; 6 Lost Atlantises: The Half-Forgotten Nationalities of the Baltic; 7 The Baltic Russians; 8 The Independence Movements and their Successors, 1987-92; 9 Building on Ruins: The Recreation of the New States; Conclusion: The West and the Baltic States.
This was an interesting book. I would be interested in reading what has happened during the 10 years, since the writing of this book. I think the author took pride in declaring to the Balts that they were not "modern" Europeans.
Too bad it is the only one..........2000-01-20
There is no denying that this is a very valuable book on the Baltic States' history during the fall of the Soviet Union. But on the other hand, there are few other books out there to compare this one with. The bibliography on the history of the Baltic States is quite scarce. Lieven gives a good, and thourough analysis of a specific time in history, however, for many local Balts, when reading the text, it is obvious that this was written by an outsider looking in. Lieven does not always seem to fully understand the real character and history of the region. Nevertheless, since there are very few foreign authors paying attention to the region, an imperfect treatement is better than no treatment at all. The Baltic Countries have changed dramatically since this book was written. The situation described in the book as "contemporary" already seems like ancient history in the Baltic States. Readers should not think that the countries described in the books are still the same today. It is a valuable book, since there is little else written on the period or the region. However, looking at it objectivly, it is not perfect, and lacks a true understanding of the events that have shaped Baltic history and created the Baltic people.
The Baltics finally get the attention they deserve........1999-09-08
Baltic history had been so long overlooked, at best it was relegated to footnotes in European history, that it was great to read a book totally devoted to the subject in the English language. Lieven gives an excellent overview of events that led to the independence of these tiny republics in the aftermath of the Soviet collapse. Unfortunately, the information is now dated. So much has transpired since 1991 that the book needs to be revised and updated. While the other former Soviet republics struggle to esatblish even the rudiments of a free-market economy, the Baltics are thriving. As Lieven pointed out, these countries have long European roots, unfortunately they became entangled with Russian roots and their personal histories became obscured.
Average customer rating:
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Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania: Country Studies (Area Handbook)
Manufacturer: Division
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0844408514 |
Book Description
Since the end of the Cold War there has been an increased interest in The Baltics. This volume brings together three countries, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, to provide a comprehensive and analytical guide integrating history, political science, economic development and contemporary events into one account. Since gaining their independence each country has developed at its own pace with its own agenda and facing its own obstacles.
Customer Reviews:
The Baltics in the 20th century.......2004-07-05
This book will help you to better understand Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, which have remarkably different personalities, although often collectively referred to as the Baltics. The countries are treated separately, as they deserve to be, illustrating their individual ambitions, which are often at odds to each other.
I was very impressed with Thomas Lane's scholarly but easily accessible account of Lithuania. In it he gives one of the most balanced appraisals of the country which I've read, taking it up to 1997 with the election of Valdas Adamkus. He charts Lithuania from its post WWI independence to its post Soviet independence, noting its tremendous resiliency in the face of two totalitarian regimes -- the Soviet Union and Germany. The country had a difficult time carving out its niche in the 1920's, battling Poland as well in staking out its independence, only to lose Vilnius to Poland's overextending claims. Lane gives special attention to this inter-war period, as it served as the inspiration for Lithuania's post-Soviet independence in 1991.
He recounts Lithuania's uneasy relationship with Germany and its role in the Holocaust, but is very careful in assessing blame. Lithuania quite literally found itself between a rock and a hard place, falling victim to the Soviet Union in the end. Lane provides a detailed study of the Soviet era and the impact it had on Lithuania's agrarian economy. Through this period, Lithuania still managed to retain its identity despite the prevailing Soviet influence.
Lane covers the key events of the 80's which led to independence, and the difficulties Lithuania faced in the 90's as it tried to distance itself from Moscow. He provides an excellent appraisal of the various political parties and the affect the rural vote still has on the outcome of the elections. Although Lithuania was still struggling to form a market economy by the time Lane concludes his account in the late 90's, the country has since enjoyed an economic boom, with the highest growth rate in Eastern Europe.
There is also a fine appraisal of Lithuania's current foreign policy and its ability to form key European alliances in the 90's, which it had been unable to do in the 20's. It no longer has a heavy reliance on Russia, having become an integral part of the European economy.
Average customer rating:
- Flying proofreading or editing, or both
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Flying Visits Iceland Finland & the Baltic (Flying Visits - Cadogan)
Joan Gannij
Manufacturer: Cadogan Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1860111939 |
Book Description
The perfect companion for those exploring Northern Europe, this guide takes visitors to the most dramatic scenery, beautiful cities, and buzzing clubs, ensuring they enjoy every minute of their flying visit.
Customer Reviews:
Flying proofreading or editing, or both.......2007-09-04
The combination of countries was almost ideal for the purpose of the trip I was about to embark upon. It included Iceland and Lithuania. I grew up in Lithuania, and often visit Iceland, but the first had been changing rapidly, so it is good to keep checking the facts, and there's always something new one can find in a travel guide, even about a country one knows well. It is also a good way to assess the quality of information in the book, checking against the familiar. In that respect, this guide did not inspire trust: quite many misspellings in the Lithuanian part, a wrong URL here, a wrong word there (Zemuoges for "strawberry" - should have been "braskes" as "Zemuoges" are for wild strawberries). It lists the individuals who helped out with fact checking (and, it seems, stories, some of them dubiuos), so I would not be happy if I were one of the ones in the acknowledements for Lithuania.
Still an OK guide, hence three stars.
Average customer rating:
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Spiritual Folk Singing: Nordic and Baltic Protestant Traditions
Manufacturer: Museum Tusculanum Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 8763505665 |
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Lonely Planet Baltic States and Kiliningrad (Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit)
John Noble
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0864421834 |
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