From Library Journal
This is a timely and invaluable reference guide to the confusing political environment of Eastern and Central Europe. The collapse of communism in this region has stimulated the resurgence of strong ethnic and nationalist movements in each of the 13 nations covered in this volume. Bugajski (associate director, East European Studies, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C.) analyzes the impact of these movements in a 16-page introductory essay and offers a sobering assessment of the current situation in a concluding article and in a postscript. Bugajski's profiles of the 13 nations are divided into three sections. Part 1 covers post-Yugoslavia, with individual chapters devoted to the six new countries that have emerged. The second section is devoted to the Balkans (Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania), while Part 3 surveys the somewhat more stable countries of Central Europe (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary). Each profile is between 20 and 40 pages long and contains population data, a historical overview, official policies toward ethnic groups, sketches of the major ethnic groups (e.g., in Bosnia-Herzegovina these include Muslim organizations, Serbian separatists, and Croatian autonomists), minority organizations, and a chronology of recent events that deal with ethnic issues. Bugajski's extensive research is well documented by reference notes at the end of each country profile. He makes heavy use of broadcast services such as Radio Free Europe, as well as official documents and European newspapers. This reference guide will serve as a specialized supplement to the Europa World Year Book (Europa Publications Ltd., 1926+) and other general sources. Highly recommended for academic and large public libraries.
Thomas Karel, Franklin & Marshall Coll. Lib., Lancaster, Pa.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Thomas Karel, Franklin & Marshall Coll. Lib., Lancaster, Pa.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
