A Financial Times Book of the Year 'I warmly recommend The Making of Eastern Europe...[It is] a first-rate piece of historical analysis...I find Professor Longworth's comments constantly illuminating on a region of Europe which I had up to now thought I knew reasonably well.' - Erik de Mawny, Financial Times 'Longworth's historical analysis of Eastern Europe is both comprehensive and concise. It skillfully brings to light the sheer complexity of the region's past...not only dispels many Western myths, but also brings to life peoples who have for so long been seen as only a distant threat to the Western World...This is a book which should be read by all who have an interest in the Europe of today and yesterday.' - Avila MacInnes, The New European 'A rich and varied work...Longworth's is a bold and always arresting study.' - Jeremy Black, History Today Why has the collapse of Communism resulted in so much disappointment for the hopeful millions of Eastern Europe? In this original and provocative book Philip Longworth argues that their predicament is only partly due to the imposition of the Soviet system but rather they are the heirs of misfortune which dates back centuries. In exploring the origins of current problems, this sweeping history ranges from the present day to the time of Constantine the Great, from the Urals to the Mediterranean and the Baltic, and emphasizes culture and society, as well as politics and economics.