Estonia Books

The Baltic Revolution: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Path to Independence

Anatol Lieven

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

World attention has focused on the newly independent Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, as they struggle to become politically and economically viable. In this book, Anatol Lieven presents an intimate and engaging portrait of the history and culture of the Baltic states from their ancient origins to their contemporary status. He explores the culture and personality of the Baltic peoples, their religious and racial differences, their relations with Russia and with the West, and their prospects for the future. Lieven begins by describing the ancient Baltic peoples, their conquest by the Christians, the evolution of the Lithuanian empire and their union with Poland, and the experience of the Baltic provinces under the Russian Empire. He then looks at the countries' first struggle for independence in 1918, the failure of democracy and the establishment of authoritarian regimes, and the Soviet annexation of the Baltic in 1940. Lieven discusses the class structure of the Baltics and the ethnic tensions that have existed between the Germans, Jews, Poles, and Russians who live there. Drawing on a wide range of sources including interviews, newspaper accounts, and his own observations, he describes and analyzes the rise of national movements in each of the three countries after Glastnost. He concludes by discussing the new constitutions and the elections of 1992, the current forces of order, the demolition of the Soviety economies, and the possibilities for democracy and Europeanization or for ethnic conflict and nationalist dictatorship.

War in the Woods

Mart Laar

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Estonia's Struggle for Independance 4 out of 5 stars.
19 of 20 people found this review helpful.

Written by the current Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar, this book gives many first-hand accounts of the Forset Brothers doomed struggle against the occupying Soviet forces in Estonia after WW2.(The Forset Brothers were groups of armed resistance fighters based in the woods of Estonia).

While some stories tell of heroic and unbelievable battles against the KGB, most are unfortunately tragic and sad stories of Soviets killing and raping innocent civilians. However these stories must be told to preserve Estonian history and to account for Stalins Holocost in the East.

Necessary reading for anyone of Estonian descent.

Excellent introduction to a sadly obscure topic 4 out of 5 stars.
18 of 19 people found this review helpful.

"War in the Woods" is a well-written and fascinating exploration of the topic of Baltic nationalist resistance to the Soviet annexation. While the book focuses on Estonia, the Latvian and Lithuanian Forest Brothers (the nickname for the Baltic rebels) are not neglected. The history, organization and tactics of the Forest Brothers are all addressed in some detail.

(btw, those interested in the ill-fated British and American attempts to aid the Forest Brothers should look at "Operation Rollback", which details the sorry history of the American anti-Soviet program of the late 1940s and early 1950s)

Editorial Review:

This is the story of the Forest Brothers, who failed to stop the Soviet invaders during WW II, but their spirit ignited the flames of patriotism that led to the "Singing Revolution" of 1988.

Estonian Tastes And Traditions (Hippocrene Cookbook Library)

Karin Annus Karner

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

I was disappointed in this book 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I expected authentic Estonian recipes; what I got was an Americanized version of recipes cooked by the author's relatives. Would like to see a better book with pictures, more authentic ingredients and some better history for each recipe. This was not it.

estpmoam tastes amd tradotopms 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The book came timely and in condition promised. I was very happy with the service.

Editorial Review:

The only book widely available on Estonian food and cooking, "Estonian Tastes and Traditions" completes Hippocrene's coverage of the cuisines of the Baltic region. Estonian food is simple, based on such staples as potatoes, pork, sauerkraut, preserved fish, and dark bread. This comprehensive volume contains 165 traditional recipes for such dishes as Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage (Magushapu Punane Kapsas), Beer Soup (Ollesupp), and Honey Candy (Meekompvekid). Chapters covering basics such as meats, vegetables, and breads are supplemented with chapters on turnovers, pancakes, and preserves. Also included are extensive cultural and historical information and an Estonian-English food glossary.

The History of the Baltic States (The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations)

Kevin O'Connor

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Baltic states--Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania--are nestled in northeastern Europe, where they lie at a crossroad of European culture. Collectively, they have been both a transmitter of culture and a victim of larger, more powerful nations' aspirations. Their ethnically and religiously diverse natives continue to struggle with the question of identity, yet the Balts have had relatively peaceful relations with each other for some 600 years. With the fall of the Soviet Union, the Baltic states "returned to Europe" and seem intent on preserving the spirit of cooperation and solidarity that emerged during their struggle for independence more than a decade ago. This is the most recent and up-to-date narrative history of the Baltic states, providing readers with an ideal starting point for research on the area. It includes a timeline of major events, biographic sketches of noteworthy historical figures, a glossary, and a bibliographic essay. The Baltic states' survival and recovery during the late Soviet and early post-Soviet era is an inspiring and fascinating tale. This concise history takes readers from the ice ages through the Cold War, telling the tale of these small but important countries and their role in the history of Europe.

Crusader Castles of the Teutonic Knights, Vol. 2: The Stone Castles of Latvia and Estonia, 1185-1560 (Fortress 19)

Stephen Turnbull

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

History of an area that is not usually covered 4 out of 5 stars.
14 of 14 people found this review helpful.

This book takes up were the first book on "Crusader Castles of the Teutonic Knights" left off, moving from Prussia to Latvia and Estonia and moving along the time line from 1185-1560.

The author covers the history of Latvia and Estonia (Livonia) in regards to the time leading up to the Teutonic Knights and their castle networks and then covers the Knights, their Crusades and control in that area. The conversion of the local people by the 'Brethern of the Sword' is examined and how they became absorbed by the Teutonic Knights. The history of these countries is well covered from the system of fortresses and how it helped them control the area to why the area was of interest to the Knights and the Church. The research is in depth, giving some very good accounts of the time.

Again, the illustrations stand out as enabling the reader to clearly visualize the castles, the maps give outstanding historical reference to the geography of the time and the pictures of the castles in the present day included by the author present a very well rounded view of the importance of these fortresses in the campaigns of the Teutonic Knights, and how they enabled these Knights to implement their control over the lives of the peoples of Livonia.

For those with interests in the Teutonic Knights, their means and methods of crusading and a good overall history of the Castles of this area, this is an excellent primer, easy to read, very detailed, well illustrated and a good reference tool. medievalcrusadesbabe

Editorial Review:

The original forced conversion of pagan Livonia, what is now the Baltic states of Latvia and Estonia, was carried out by a military order known as the Brethren of the Sword. In 1236 this order was incorporated into the Teutonic Knights following a catastrophic military defeat. The knights had always consolidated their conquests through networks of castles and fortified places, and the Livonian Chapter of the Teutonic Order built castles of stone. This title covers the developmental and operational history of these fortresses over the length of the Middle Ages. It details how the Baltic fortifications of the Teutonic Knights evolved to reflect the changing nature of siege warfare and the increasing dominance of gunpowder in warfare.

Estonia and the Estonians (Studies of Nationalities)

Toivo U. Raun

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Editorial Review:

In this comprehensive survey of Estonian history, Toivo Raun places recent events into historical perspective with up-to-date information on the era of glasnost and perestroika (1985-1991), analyzing the striking process of rebirth, renewal, and de-Sovietization. He stresses the role of Estonia's strategic geopolitical location and the small number of ethnic Estonians as crucial factors that have shaped the history of the area and its inhabitants. Since prehistoric times Estonia has been a crossroads of northeastern Europe where the major powers of the region have struggled for influence. Estonia and the Estonians offers a balanced topical survey covering political history, the economy, social and demographic developments, and cultural life. Attention is also paid to historiography and to differing interpretations of major issues; throughout the book the history of Estonia is viewed in the larger context of northern and eastern Europe.

Art of the Baltics: The Struggle for Freedom of Artistic Expression Under the Soviets, 1945-1991 (Dodge Soviet Nonconformist Art Publication Series)

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Editorial Review:

This text is a major survey of the development of modernist art in Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia during the post-World War II Soviet period. The contributors discuss and reappraise the art of Baltic artists working in modernist styles. They argue that Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian art did not develop in similar ways. Estonia, for example, had closer contact with Scandinavian countries, while Lithuania clearly was part of Central Europe, and was more influenced by Poland.

Sentence: Siberia - A Story of Survival

Ann Lehtmets, Douglas Hoile

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Personal Account of Stalin's Holocaust 3 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

The book is a personal account of Ann Lehtmets' deportation from Estonia (not Latvia) to Siberia in 1941. It accounts from the time she was taken from her home at gun-point by the NKVD (KGB), and for her first 2 or 3 years of her 17-year stay in a Siberian labour camp.

As a foreign-born Estonian, I took particular interest in this book- as my family chose to flee the country rather than to risk suffering the same fate (the second round of mass deportations happened in 1949).

In all, it was an interesting book. However, it was "slow" at times and I felt the ending was sort of incomplete. Her leaving Siberia and being re-united with her family after 17 years was barely mentioned in a breif 3 pages.

But a remarkable story none the less, and a highly reccomended read for all people of Estonian heritage.

Editorial Review:

Ann Lehtmets was one of the few women to have lived through Stalin’s Holocaust and reached the Western World. One morning in June 1941, Russian soldiers arrested Ann Lehtmets in her home in Estonia, tore her from her husband and children and loaded her in a cattle truck, destination unknown. She survived her sentence in Siberia, negotiating a life where secret police, brutish foremen and hostile landladies conspired with cold, hunger and backbreaking labour to make existence difficult for all and deadly for many. Ann Lehtmets owed her life to spirit, intelligence, guile and humour. These qualities shine through on every page of her extraordinary recollections.

The Baltic States: From Soviet Union to European Union (Basees/Routledge Series on Russian and East European Studies)

Richard Mole

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Editorial Review:

The Baltic States provides an informative and interesting overview of developments in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as they made the transition from Soviet domination to membership of the European Union. Uniquely analyzing the entire transition, this book:

• focuses on the concepts of identity, sovereignty and power in the domestic and international politics of the Baltic states
• charts the development of the identities of these states during the twentieth century, going on to examine how this changed with the end of Soviet rule
• considers the implications for domestic political, economic and social life, and also for foreign policy
• assesses the shift in identity that culminated in these states joining the EU, and the ceding of sovereignty that this entailed.

With the politics of the European Union being a highly topical topic, this book constitutes an impressive account of a critical phase in the history ofthe Baltic states, and represents an important contribution to wider theoretical debates concerning the nature of identity, power, sovereignty and nationalism.

An Estonian Childhood

Tania Alexander

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