Dead Countries of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries (Hardcover)

by Les Harding (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In its most precise definition, a " dead country" is a place that once issued postage stamps but no longer does. Harding has used this definition as a basis for a fascinating investigation of world history. Collected in "Dead Countries of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries" is a telling portrait of global change. The book is organized as a series of entries for each dead country, arranged alphabetically under fifteen broad geographical headings. These short entries provide wonderfully detailed summaries of the history of the dead countries that fill in gaps and expose the hidden histories of many geographic locations throughout the world. The entries not only detail the creation and makeup of the dead country, but most importantly, describe the significant historical factors that caused its disappearance. Countries that have fractured politically or been absorbed into larger conglomerations are also included as dead countries. Each entry begins with a literary epigraph that offers a fresh way of thinking about the area in question. Also included is essential reference information such as area (in both square miles and square kilometers), capital city, estimated population, and an illustration of the region's postage stamp that provides a visual reference of the culture. Included at the end of each entry is a list of references that contain additional sources of information.

About the Author
Les Harding (M.L.S., University of Western Ontario) is a freelance writer who currently resides in Canada.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 406 pages
• Publisher: The Scarecrow Press, Inc. (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810834456
• ISBN-13: 978-0810834453
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #833,592 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for Dead Country Collectors, June 11, 1999

By A Customer

I can't see why anyone would not find this book wonderfully intriguing and a great reference book. I can't say if there are many who are generalist collectors in dead countries, but I am. I consider it the most important philatelic bible (for my own particular collecting interests. ) And seeing that some traditional stamp shops don't have time to help a kid, a novice collector like myself, being able to buy this with ease is another plus. Have been collecting for sixteen years...three-quarters of my life, and this is the book I have been waiting for a very long time. Kudos to Mr. Harding for this book.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting for stamp collectors and historians, September 28, 1999

By	[e-mail] (NEW YORK CITY) - See all my reviews

Each stamp has a story to tell, and some of the most interesting are from countries that no longer exist. This book provides some history on each dead country. Perfect for those who specialize in this area or for the general foreign collector. If you want to know more about Bechuanaland, this book is for you.