Product description
Review
Fascinating, masterful … The breadth of Rady’s coverage is as impressive as it is eclectic, with gems scattered throughout the book. — Peter Frankopan ― Spectator
This is a very impressive book, quirkily original but also scholarly and authoritative, to be read for pleasure and serious reflection, whether in a beer hall in Prague or a pastry shop in Vienna – or a bomb shelter in Kyiv. — Noel Malcolm ― The Telegraph
A brilliantly suggestive account of central Europe from Attila to Zizek.
The Middle Kingdoms is a masterly synthesis. ― The TimesAbout the Author
Martyn Rady is Masaryk Professor of Central European History at University College London. He has written several major works on the history of Hungary, from the medieval period to the twentieth century, but has also written on topics as diverse as the Hussites, vampirism and the Emperor Charles V. Rady’s last book, The Habsburgs, was described in the Times Literary Supplement as ‘probably the best book ever written on the Habsburgs in any language’.
MAX WHEEL –
Well written and explanatory as to the differing outcomes for Central and Eastern Europe vs Western Europe. Easy to rwad for a complex subject
Robert M. Nowicki –
Analysis of modern era less impressive. Still nicely written and full of great information and opinion Worth a read for sureb
Rob Mallows –
Over the years, as a historian, I’ve read so many books about the Holy Roman Empire, that I wanted to see how this book compared to others I’ve read. The author’s undoubtedly an expert, and the stories almost tell themselves, but I’m sure that’s in part to the author’s economic style and readiness not to burden the reader with too much information. Relatively short, I was a little disappointed when I got to the end, because there’s so much history to discover in central Europe. The approach is somewhat new to this area, looking at the HRE and border states alike, so it is a slightly broader history, which I found valuable and worth having the book for.
Angusian –
A brilliant survey of the area: developing politics, culture and religious affiliations. A great adjunct to Rady’s history of the Hapsburgs.Witty and accessible history from a first rate scholar.Sadly he is not well served by the cartographer as the maps are pale with inadequate coastal outlines and confusing shading!Don’t be deterred from reading this amazing and illuminating book
NIKOS MASOURIDIS –
Well-written, fast-paced. Perhaps I would have liked a more straightforward chronological narrative at places, but the author successfully interweaves various themes, including some that will likely be new to the general reader (Cameralism, the spectacular career of King Ernest Augustus, more). More and better maps, and maybe some dynastic charts to help make sense of the convoluted inter-marriages, etc., would not have been amiss.
N. J. Bjergstrom –
In need of an updated understanding of current political movements in Central Europe, including the Ukraine war, I picked the most recent book I could find: this one by Martyn Rady. The book does its job quite well, covering many aspects of Central European history, culture, politics, with a wide brush. It has some uneven jumps between chronology and thematic presentation, which you need to get used to, but simultaneously following the threads between many nodes in a spider’s web is always difficult.Where the book really fails quite badly is through the almost total lack of illustrations. Why give a long description of a work of art, for example, when you can just include a picture, and base your explanation on that? That is a very obsolete technique. Worse, though, is the dearth and poor quality of maps. The few maps included are poorly produced in low-contrast monochrome, and whereas many constantly varying borders are indicated, these are not consequently anchored to permanent topology like rivers and mountain ranges. There is also a total lack of arrows indicating dynamic factors such as population or army movements.In conclusion: a valuable piece of work which, with an additional month of hard work, could become excellent. Add colours and more and better maps. I look forward to seeing a revised and improved second edition. A supporting website featuring dynamic map displays would not be amiss either, but that requires a lot more work.
airman –
NOTHING TO ADD
S Gilani –
I bought this book by mistake thinking it was only about medieval central Europe – In fact it covers from early Medieval right through to modern times. I was about to return it but starting reading the first few chapters and was completely captivated. It is an excellent book.It’s better than fiction. If you like easy-reads, this might not be for you. It is beautifully written, in its style and quality of English. The subject matter is ABSOLUTELY THRILLING. You couldn’t get away with writing these accounts in fiction because people just wouldn’t believe you. For instance, in medieval times, people were very religious and went on Christian pilgrimages from all parts of Europe to Rome and Jerusalem… about 25% of them were murdered on the way. Robbers and thieves hid along all the pilgrim paths. Medieval kings and emporers and aristocracy, in central Europe were steeped in slavery, capturing people from rural areas of their country and shipping them into slavery in various parts of Europe and the middle East – and pocketing a lot of money for it. King Henry V of England joined the Order of the Dragon, invited by King Sigismund of Luxembourg, who was then King of Hungary, who liked throwing his clothes off completely while at State banquets in front of foreign dignatories… and Emporer Charlegmagne really really liked his sister, apparently. A lot of European tribes seem to be have ethinically cleansed… disappeared – which was very sad to read about. (Sorry I may have got my details slightly wrong but that’s the jist of it).There were a lot of lovely stories too, about good deeds such as great learning, book learning and universities.I bought this book in hardback version at my local bookshop not on Amazon (I frequently purchase my books on Amazon too, just not this time). The hardback is beautiful, with a yellow cover and a colourful dust jacket. The text is the right size – so it’s a well designed book (many books are badly designed, with the text too-tiny etc). I’d recommend this book very highly.
Darlene Albright –
Only okay
Some things interesting other parts hard to get into. I really do not like when there are numerous authors to a book. Though they have different expertise in different areas, some write well and some don’t. It really effects the flow of the book. I did get through the material but it is not a book I would read again. Did learn a couple new things but like I said the read just didn’t flow right.
Richard Tomlinson –
Excellent and well-written history tarnished by the publisher
As a former academic I admire the clarity of exposition, the detail and my, now, greatly improved understanding of Central Europe. I strongly recommend the book.Now to my complaints and an idea. The text of the book, with a small font, varies from grey to black. There were times that I went in search of bright lights. Text that is black is so much easier to read! Maps deprived of adequate grey to black color contrast are simply awful to read. The comment reflects on the publisher and quality control. I propose that the book website have the maps included in the book and that each map in the book include the URL for that map. The geography of Central Europe being so malleable, more maps would also be welcome.