Historical Atlas of Central Europe (History of East Central Europe, Vol. 1, 1) [Paperback]

Paul Robert Magocsi (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0295981466 | ISBN-13: 978-0295981468 | Publication Date: October 2002 | Edition: Rev Exp

The Historical Atlas of Central Europe covers the area from Poland, Lithuania, and the eastern part of Germany to Greece and western Turkey and extends in time from the early fifth century to the present. This new edition of the Historical Atlas of East Central Europe, first published in 1993 to great acclaim, incorporates the enormous political changes that have taken place since 1989, taking into comments from seventy-five reviewers from seventeen countries. The final third of the volume has been completely reconceptualized and reconfigured with new maps, text, and statistical tables. The bibliography has been updated and expanded.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up-When Magocsi's The Historical Atlas of East Central Europe (Univ. of Washington, 1993; o.p.) was published, it recorded the recent splintering of the Soviet Union; this new edition integrates those boundary changes and also includes more than 60 new or revised maps and tables. The atlas's new title reflects a choice based on geographical criteria and the wording reflects the preference of the population of the countries in question. The volume is arranged chronologically, with coverage beginning about A.D. 400 (roughly the time of the demise of the Roman Empire) and continuing through the end of the 20th century. The maps and tables provide information on military affairs; population and population movements; economy; ethnolinguistic distributions; and religious, cultural, and educational institutions. All are extremely well done. The use of color in the maps significantly eases reading and interpreting them. Well-written, objective historical summaries of that region's development at the time accompany the maps. Several of these synopses are also new or revised. This scholarly work has a four-page listing of map sources and a seven-page bibliography. The extensive index includes cross-references. This is an excellent resource for large public and academic libraries. High schools offering an AP course in European history should also consider purchase.
Peg Glisson, Mendon Center Elementary School, Pittsford, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This first-rate sequel to the Historical Atlas of East Central Europe takes a mostly chronological approach to the region, providing histories of the various areas, as well as maps that show not just political boundaries but also population and population movements, canal and railroad construction, industrial growth, linguistic distribution, and cultural and educational institutions, among other factors. An effective use of color makes for maps that are easy to read and interpret. There is considerably more to this revised edition than the name change; the previous edition, though up-to-date for its time, was published just as the Soviet empire was crumbling and the Soviet Union itself was splintering into l5 independent republics. The current edition has integrated those historical changes and of 109 color maps presents 21 that are new and 41 that are substantially revised. As to the title change, Magocsi (chair, Ukrainian studies, Univ. of Toronto; A History of Ukraine) points out that "the articulate elements in many countries of this region consider eastern or even east-central to carry a negative connotation and prefer to be considered part of Central Europe." He adds that "precise boundaries" for the area are not fixed but are often a matter of opinion, so he has been guided mainly by geographical criteria. Wherever you believe "Central Europe" starts and ends, this volume is highly recommended for academic and larger public libraries.
Edward Cone, New York
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Univ of Washington Pr; Rev Exp edition (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295981466
• ISBN-13: 978-0295981468
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #215,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars probably the best there is, August 30, 2003

By 

Erik (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Historical Atlas of Central Europe (History of East Central Europe, Vol. 1, 1) (Paperback)

I've never had an historical atlas with such minute detail about ethnic classification, and religious affiliations on the maps. Nor one that showed that information for such a long span of history.
The maps are beautiful! The color distinctions for the categories are clear and easy to discern. I like to get all historical atlases, good or mediocre. Usually every atlas will have some unique characteristic that makes having it desirable.
I'd like detailed atlases like this one for every country. The author must have perused tons of documents and records to get such specific detail.
This may be the best historical atlas in print. I wish the author would do one for all of Europe, Asia and North America.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Writer's Review, September 16, 2005

By 

Orysia Bilyk Earhart "Fiction Writer" (Seattle WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Historical Atlas of Central Europe (History of East Central Europe, Vol. 1, 1) (Paperback)

As a writer of historical fiction which takes place in Eastern Europe, I have found Robert Magocsi's atlas to be outstanding and filled with detailed information that I would have to search through many books to obtain. The book not only presents the maps of Eastern Europe from its earliest times (400 AD), to the present, but also, accompanying each map is a detailed write-up of the history, geography and governments present at the time the map indicates. Thus, you not only learn what the countries/lands were at that time, but also why divisions occurred, why certain movements sprang up, and how it all lead to how the countries are now divided. The scholarship is impressive.
This is an excellent book for anyone who is interested in the development of Eastern Europe. It is clearly stated, well defined, and should be in everyone's library.

Orysia Earhart Washington

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Atlas AND History, March 8, 2006

By 

Matt Boisen "hounddoc" (MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Historical Atlas of Central Europe (History of East Central Europe, Vol. 1, 1) (Paperback)

I was fortunate to pick up this atlas at a discount store, and what a treasure trove of history it is! I have used it extensively in researching family history and for general reading. The maps are detailed, clear and well-presented. Tight capsules of historical review are usually presented on the facing pages and gives a wonderful narrative into the never-known or almost forgotten history of East Central Europe. The irony is, of course, that this area was a hotbed of clashing cultures, war, shifting alliances, etc, and very little is common knowledge! One question: this is marked Vol. 1...is there a Vol. 2? I've been looking...