History and Myth in Romanian Consciousness [Paperback]

Lucian Boia (Author), L. Boia (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001

Taken from the precept that there is a considerable difference between real history and discourse history, Boia points out that history is constantly reconstructed, adapted and sometimes mythified from the perspective of the present day, of present states of mind and ideologies. Boia closely examines the process of historical culture and conscience in nineteenth and twentieth century Romania, particularly concentrating on the impact of the national ideology on history. Based upon his findings, the author identifies several key mythical configurations and analyses the manner in which Romanians have reconstituted their own highly ideologized history over the last two centuries. In essence, the author has attempted to fully deconstruct the Romanian historiographic system and demonstrate the increasing acuteness of national problems in general, and in particular the exploitation of history to support national ideology.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Central European University Press (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9639116971
• ISBN-13: 978-9639116979
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,482,453 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How did myth creep into Romanian history?, November 17, 2007

By 

Roger Crowley "amateur historian" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: History and Myth in Romanian Consciousness (Paperback)

Like all histories, Romania's history reflects not only the personal viewpoint of the historian writing the history, but also of the political environment of the moment. Tracing the history presented in various school textbooks over the years, the author notes the changes in the Romanian "heros" who are presented. And he uses the mythology built up around Michael the Brave (Mihai Viteazul), who was the first to "unite" the three historic principalities of Romania, to illustrate how history can be rewritten to fall in line with current political ideologies.

Mythology crept into Romania's history because history is normally written about the powerful people in a country. And Romania had few powerful people to raise up on a historic pedestal. So the Romanian historians often invented a hero or raised his actions from the obscure to the heroic level.

Lucian Boia doesn't claim that this is some kind of intentional evil, but is often done simply because the Romanian people throughout most of their history have been village oriented people who were subdued by powerful kingdoms and empires who controlled the city (and about whom the history books were written).

The book is a "must read" for anyone attempting to unravel the sometimes conflicting "histories" of Romania. And even for Romanians themselves who feel that their school history textbook was infallible and presented the only true history of Romania.