The Czech Republic (Nations in Transition (Facts on File)) [Hardcover]

Steven Otfinoski (Author)

Book Description

Series: Nations in Transition (Facts on File) | Publication Date: February 1997

Chronicles the history of the Czech Republic and explores daily life, politics, and the many challenges facing the country since the decline of Communism and the emergence of democracy.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 7-12. Titles in the Nations in Transition series, which includes books about Afghanistan and the Central Asian Republics, face a daunting challenge: offering up-to-date overviews of rapidly changing countries. In this revised edition, Otfinoski adds new watershed events to the 1997 text, beginning with Prague's devastating floods of 2002. The Czech Republic's admittance to the European Union is too recent to receive full coverage here, but Otfinoski admirably examines the country's complex political changes just prior to 2004. Chapters about Czech history, culture, and daily life (with a few annoying generalizations, such as Czechs are "practical people with a vivid imagination"), round out this thorough, useful resource. Further readings, grainy black-and-white photos, and an extensive chronology are also included. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Facts on File (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816030804
• ISBN-13: 978-0816030804
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,896,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A concise, pleasingly illustrated general intro to the CZR, May 9, 2001

By 

Blair Martin "computer and photography instru... (Kingston, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Czech Republic (Nations in Transition (Facts on File)) (Hardcover)

My wife and I recently participated in a cultural exchange between Britain and the Czech Republic (CZR). Our library yielded an armful of guide books and coffee-table picture books.

But for our purposes, Mr. Otfinoski's book took the prize. Though intended for younger readers, it offers engaging reading for anyone. The subject matter seems well researched, the writing is lucid, and each chapter includes a selection of bibliographic references. There are plenty of illustrations, mainly black and white but well chosen and relevant to the text they support. Most of all, the book gives a clear outline of the CZR's recent history and paints a believable picture of its current politics, business, culture, and everyday life.

Since the publisher's description hasn't been included in the Amazon listing, here is the table of contents:

1. An Introduction to the Land and Its People

2. From a Medieval Kingdom to a Modern Nation

3. Czechoslovakia under Two Brutal Masters (1918-1985)

4. The Velvet Revolution and the Velvet Divorce (1989-present)

5. Government

6. Religion

7. The Economy

8. Culture

9. Daily life

10. The Cities and Towns

11. Present Problems and Future Solutions

Back Matter: Chronology, Further Reading, and Index

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short, but very well made, December 12, 2001

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Czech Republic (Nations in Transition (Facts on File)) (Hardcover)

This short book is an excellent introduction to the new Czech Republic. It begins with a quick look at the geography and climate of the country, and them moves into its history. After that, it does a wonderful job of explaining the Czech Republic, including (but not limited to) its religion, politics, economy, and even the problems facing it. All this is done in a mere 67 pages, but it nonetheless gives the reader a comprehensive understanding of the country.

I enjoyed the layout of this book; it includes many black-and-white pictures, many interesting sidebars, and even a chronology at the back. If you are interested in the Czech Republic, and want a short, concise introduction to the country, then I recommend that you read this book.