A Concise History of Bulgaria (Cambridge Concise Histories) [Paperback]

R. J. Crampton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521616379 | ISBN-13: 978-0521616379 | Publication Date: January 9, 2006 | Edition: 2

Richard Crampton presents a general introduction to Bulgaria at the cross-roads of Christendom and Islam. This concise history traces the country's growth from pre-history, through its days as the center of a powerful medieval empire and five centuries of Ottoman rule, to the political upheavals of the twentieth century which led to three wars. It highlights 1995 to 2004, a vital period during which Bulgaria endured financial meltdown, set itself seriously on the road to reform, elected its former King as prime minister, and finally secured membership in NATO and admission to the European Union. First Edition Hb (1997) 0-521-56183-3 First Edition Pb (1997) 0-521-56719-X

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Crampton, in A Concise History of Bulgaria has produced a valuable introduction to the history of the Bulgarian people and their state...R.J. Crampton's A Concise History of Bulgaria is the best short treatment of the history of Bulgaria currently available." Canadian Journal of History

Book Description

Bulgaria is slated to become a member of the European Union in 2007, yet its history is amongst the least well known in the rest of the continent. Richard Crampton provides here a general introduction to this country at the cross-roads of Christendom and Islam. He traces its rich story from pre-history to the political upheavals of the twentieth century. The new edition includes the years from 1995 to 2004, a vital period in which Bulgaria elected its former King as prime minister and secured admission to the European Union.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (January 9, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521616379
• ISBN-13: 978-0521616379
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > History > Europe > Bulgaria

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and easy to read, April 5, 2000

By 

Matthew Fanetti, Ph.D. - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Concise History of Bulgaria (Cambridge Concise Histories) (Paperback)

This book presents the history of this country in a surprisingly thorough manner for a shorter history book. The struggles and strife of a people and a country are excellently portrayed with clarity and a hint at the emotions they must have felt. The struggle to protect the borders of the land from powerful enemies coming from all directions provides an interesting theme which kept me reading. I was also emotionally touched by the bravery of these people in defying Hitler and refusing to send Jews to their deaths during WWII.

I was inspired to begin learning in more detail about periods and events in Bulgarian History.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bulgaria - All You Need to Know, May 16, 2000

By 

Marshall Lee Miller - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Concise History of Bulgaria (Cambridge Concise Histories) (Paperback)

Bulgaria is a little-known but fascinating country that has labored for years in obscurity. It has always been behind some Curtain--the Iron Curtain for four decades, the Ottoman Curtain for five centuries, and Byzantium before that. Until now, there have been only a handful of scholarly books on the country, and these have been on narrow periods or topics. There hasn't been a book that would allow an educated reader to get a grasp of the country as a whole. Now there is. This book, by a noted Oxford scholar, is clear, concise, and yet reasonably short. Recommended.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Pretty Good Book, September 27, 2000

By 

Gary N. Clark "Gary N. Clark, CFA" (La Crescenta, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Concise History of Bulgaria (Cambridge Concise Histories) (Paperback)

I found this book to be a good coverage of the subject matter, starting mainly about 600 AD and moving forward. I found the subject matter to be very interesting, partly because I knew so little about Bulgaria. Reading this book enhances my understanding of Greek, Serbian, and Turkish history (such as it is). This is an area left out of my earlier education, and this book does of good job of efficiently relating the broad sweep of Bulgarian history. At times I felt the book might have benefited from a more in depth discussion of the contemporary economic, intellectual, or cultural context bearing on certain events or trends. On the other hand, the author does not get bogged down in interesting trivia. The author does a good job of relating the main events in Bulgaria of the past 1400 years, and I enjoyed reading it.