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Adieu, Osteuropa: Kulturgeschichte einer verschwundenen Welt
Von der Oder bis Sibirien, von der Krim bis zum Baltikum – zum ersten Mal wird der osteuropäische Kulturraum insgesamt ins Auge gefasst, ja nachgerade neu Jacob Mikanowski entwirft das Panorama einer ungemein reichen Welt, die dem Westen stets fremd war und zugleich starke Impulse gab – sei es in Musik und Kunst um 1900, in der Erfindung des Nationalismus oder im jüdischen Leben. In weiten Bögen schildert er die Fährnisse von großen wie unbekannten Volksgruppen, Reichen, Religionen. Imperien wie Österreich-Ungarn oder Russland, auch der Islam werden im Gesamtbild neu begreiflich. Entlegenes beschreibt Mikanowski romanhaft die jüdische Kriegersekte der Karäer, nomadische Räuberdynastien oder Werwolf-Familien; er porträtiert illustre Figuren wie den «Guru» Jakob Frank, der Goethe erstaunte, den türkischen Dandy und Reiseautor Evliyâ Çelebi, der ab 1630 halb Europa und Afrika erkundete, oder die kaiserliche Augenärztin Salomea Pilsztyn.
Jacob Mikanowski lässt eine ganze Welt lebendig werden, die in ihrer Vielfalt an Sprachen, Ethnien, Künstlern, Spielern und Herrschern verblüffend modern war, lange bestand und die erst im Kapitalismus des späten 20. Jahrhunderts untergeht. Eine glänzend erzählte, große Kulturgeschichte.
465 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 315 reviews
September 12, 2025
I really like Europe. I believe they have hit on the right mix of individual liberty vs. obligations to the state; they have been fairly successful at defending cultural and family life against the relentless demands of the market, and much of it is very nice to look at. But why, oh why, do so many Europeans hate Jewish people* so much? Admittedly, that question may be a few decades out of date, but I think I'd need to see a couple hundred more years of respectful neighborliness before I would be convinced this problem is well and truly over.
The author of this 'intimate history' doesn't really ask this question, though he does present plenty of evidence through the last couple thousand years to illustrate the apparent intractability of the problem. He himself has one Jewish and one Catholic parent, and tries to focus his book on what life was like for the 'little people' in Eastern Europe for the past 2000 years or so. This is quite an ambitious project, covering the territory from southern Romania to Estonia, and from eastern Ukraine to the western Czech Republic -- not to mention the frequent incursions of people (okay, Germans) from the West and many peoples from the East. At 400 pages, skipping around from place to place, the book felt long. Mikanowski's own family history is pinned to many different spots in this area and is quite fascinating -- I might have enjoyed the book more if he had simply focused on that.
As usual in books of this type, we rush through the first thousand years and gets slower and slower as we approach the present. (This was published this year (2023) and touches on the current unprovoked attack on Ukraine in the epilogue.) Perhaps inevitably, his 'intimate history' starts turning into a standard history, more concerned with politicians and battles than daily life. The portion covering the 20th century dragged, for me.
But the first two thirds were done right. We tend to think of Eastern Europe in terms of 'Poles' and 'Czechs' and 'Hungarians' etc. But he does a good job of illustrating the fundamental porousness of the region to human migrations:
And speaking of Jewish people and Poland, I learned that the very country was named by Jewish immigrants; the word 'Poland' stems from the Hebrew words for 'lodge here.' And about 80% of Jewish people today can trace their ancestry back to this area, when in the 1700's they made up about a third of the population.
We also learn a lot about the substantial number of Muslims who were once more common in the area, including the fact that their ongoing incursions into what is now Eastern Europe were fueled by 105 gigantic bakeries in Istanbul alone, cranking out loaves of bread like no tomorrow. One of Europe's primary appeals, to me at least, is the quality of the breads there, which I have always attributed to French and German influences; perhaps these skills actually originated with the Ottoman Turks? In which case I owe them a debt of gratitude.
I have highlighted about forty additional parts of the book, but won't subject you reading them all. I like a section near the end where he points out that, for all its failings, Communism really did wipe out an even worse social order based on serfdom that was still alive and well into the 20th century. Your interest in this book depends on your overall interest in the region, and how normal everyday people cope with the challenges of a society not necessarily set up to serve their interests.
*I still don't feel comfortable with the word 'Jews' to refer to people. Blame my upbringing and forgive the stylistic tic.
The author of this 'intimate history' doesn't really ask this question, though he does present plenty of evidence through the last couple thousand years to illustrate the apparent intractability of the problem. He himself has one Jewish and one Catholic parent, and tries to focus his book on what life was like for the 'little people' in Eastern Europe for the past 2000 years or so. This is quite an ambitious project, covering the territory from southern Romania to Estonia, and from eastern Ukraine to the western Czech Republic -- not to mention the frequent incursions of people (okay, Germans) from the West and many peoples from the East. At 400 pages, skipping around from place to place, the book felt long. Mikanowski's own family history is pinned to many different spots in this area and is quite fascinating -- I might have enjoyed the book more if he had simply focused on that.
As usual in books of this type, we rush through the first thousand years and gets slower and slower as we approach the present. (This was published this year (2023) and touches on the current unprovoked attack on Ukraine in the epilogue.) Perhaps inevitably, his 'intimate history' starts turning into a standard history, more concerned with politicians and battles than daily life. The portion covering the 20th century dragged, for me.
But the first two thirds were done right. We tend to think of Eastern Europe in terms of 'Poles' and 'Czechs' and 'Hungarians' etc. But he does a good job of illustrating the fundamental porousness of the region to human migrations:
In 2000 archeologists working alongside a highway expansion running north from Warsaw stumbled onto a cemetery. They dated it to the late tenth or early eleventh century, the very years when Poland became Christian...The women were buried with fine jewelry, beads of glass mixed with gold evidently crafted in the royal workshops of Baghdad and Byzantium. The men were armed with splendid foreign weapons, like Frankish broadswords and Khazar hatchets.Some things never change: In a manual preserved from those days, we learn that "an uncastrated slave would always stay coarse and simple-minded, but a castrated one was capable of every refinement."
And speaking of Jewish people and Poland, I learned that the very country was named by Jewish immigrants; the word 'Poland' stems from the Hebrew words for 'lodge here.' And about 80% of Jewish people today can trace their ancestry back to this area, when in the 1700's they made up about a third of the population.
We also learn a lot about the substantial number of Muslims who were once more common in the area, including the fact that their ongoing incursions into what is now Eastern Europe were fueled by 105 gigantic bakeries in Istanbul alone, cranking out loaves of bread like no tomorrow. One of Europe's primary appeals, to me at least, is the quality of the breads there, which I have always attributed to French and German influences; perhaps these skills actually originated with the Ottoman Turks? In which case I owe them a debt of gratitude.
I have highlighted about forty additional parts of the book, but won't subject you reading them all. I like a section near the end where he points out that, for all its failings, Communism really did wipe out an even worse social order based on serfdom that was still alive and well into the 20th century. Your interest in this book depends on your overall interest in the region, and how normal everyday people cope with the challenges of a society not necessarily set up to serve their interests.
*I still don't feel comfortable with the word 'Jews' to refer to people. Blame my upbringing and forgive the stylistic tic.
September 15, 2024
Recently I have largely stopped using the term "Eastern Europe", given the fact that it carries a heavy colonial/orientalist connotation. With this book, Jacob Mikanowski has restored my pride in saying that I have "Eastern European" heritage. In a journey through time, nations, faiths and political ideologies, Mikanowski describes a part of this continent which I can ascribe as nothing else but its beating heart. True, a beating heart which has had to be resuscitated number of times, but a well-beating heart nonetheless.
Whether writing about the Hutsuls of the Ukrainian Carpathians whose folkloric beliefs include stories about the earth being made out of yoghurt, the eccentric art and animal collections of Rudolf II, or the strangely ecumenical groupings in Albania and Bulgaria which weave elements of both Orthodox Christianity and Islamic mysticism into their beliefs, Mikanowski shows a part of Europe which makes Europe the way that it is.
A truly refreshing history that steps away from the old tradition of lending the spotlight to the countries of Western Europe and their respective histories. Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand modern day Europe, where it comes from and where it might be heading.
Whether writing about the Hutsuls of the Ukrainian Carpathians whose folkloric beliefs include stories about the earth being made out of yoghurt, the eccentric art and animal collections of Rudolf II, or the strangely ecumenical groupings in Albania and Bulgaria which weave elements of both Orthodox Christianity and Islamic mysticism into their beliefs, Mikanowski shows a part of Europe which makes Europe the way that it is.
A truly refreshing history that steps away from the old tradition of lending the spotlight to the countries of Western Europe and their respective histories. Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand modern day Europe, where it comes from and where it might be heading.
August 16, 2023
3,4*
Net nežinau kam ši glausta Rytų Europos biografija įdomesnė - jos jau buvusiems piliečiams ar visiems likusiems. Man sunku ją vertinti, nes tikrai nesu gerai susipažinusi su atskiromis šio didžiulio regiono šalimis. O šiaip, autorius - žydų kilmės lenkas su lietuviškomis šaknimis, tad, Lenkija, Lietuva minimos labai dažnai. O ir Rytų Europos žydų bendruomenei, holokaustui skiriama labai daug dėmesio.
Autorius pristato kai kurių šalių folklorą, tradicijas, tikėjimus, kalbų skirtumus ir panašumus, papasakoja keletą anekdotų...bet mano skoniui - paviršutiniškokai.
Beje, man labai patiko, jog autorius nepamiršo Rytų Europos romų bendruomenės.
Kas man pasirodė keista - tai jaučiama autoriaus kažkokia mistinė nostalgija to regiono (Rytų Europos), kaip visumos, kokio tai vieneto, praeičiai. O gal man tik pasirodė ;)
Šiaip jau, visai pusė velnio, skaitykit. Būtų įdomu sužinot, kaip jums ji (ne)patiko .
Net nežinau kam ši glausta Rytų Europos biografija įdomesnė - jos jau buvusiems piliečiams ar visiems likusiems. Man sunku ją vertinti, nes tikrai nesu gerai susipažinusi su atskiromis šio didžiulio regiono šalimis. O šiaip, autorius - žydų kilmės lenkas su lietuviškomis šaknimis, tad, Lenkija, Lietuva minimos labai dažnai. O ir Rytų Europos žydų bendruomenei, holokaustui skiriama labai daug dėmesio.
Autorius pristato kai kurių šalių folklorą, tradicijas, tikėjimus, kalbų skirtumus ir panašumus, papasakoja keletą anekdotų...bet mano skoniui - paviršutiniškokai.
Beje, man labai patiko, jog autorius nepamiršo Rytų Europos romų bendruomenės.
Kas man pasirodė keista - tai jaučiama autoriaus kažkokia mistinė nostalgija to regiono (Rytų Europos), kaip visumos, kokio tai vieneto, praeičiai. O gal man tik pasirodė ;)
Šiaip jau, visai pusė velnio, skaitykit. Būtų įdomu sužinot, kaip jums ji (ne)patiko .
July 20, 2023
This was an enlightening nonfiction account about the history of eastern Europe and its peoples. Steeped in folklore and facts, this interesting and informative book captures well the challenges “countries” in eastern Europe have encountered, endured, and overcome for centuries. We call them countries, but the current lines drawn are artificial ones, many of which cleave areas that were part of one into two or more pieces. For centuries many were part of a larger whole, but over time, these countries have been part of, broken away, consolidated again, all at the whim of rulers, kings, and the powers that be. I enjoyed the folklore, stories, culture, and history presented in a smooth and delightful way. The book is packed with information and I recommend reading it over a period of time. Don’t expect to digest it all within a few days. There are a lot of fun and interesting anecdotes and facts weaned from seemingly intense research. This book is a great way to learn more about the rich history and culture of the countries of eastern Europe and to better understand their tenacity and resiliency despite and because of their challenging histories over the years. The author has done a tremendous job. This was a solid 4-star read and I definitely recommend this book. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 30, 2023
*4.5. This book is at the same time a great historical primer and also so incredibly detailed and dense. I would read a paragraph, or even one or two lines, and think "you could probably write a whole novel about that alone." I really loved the moments when the author dove into narrating his own family's biography, and I almost wished there were more of those moments because they were woven so well with the greater historical narrative. Definitley a must-read for anyone interested in this region or history in general.
April 7, 2024
This is a fresh (2023) history non-fic that attempts to present history of Eastern European countries as something united, partially linked to the author’s family history. I read it as a part of the monthly reading for April 2024 at Non Fiction Book Club group.
The author starts with the fact that “There is no such thing as Eastern Europe anymore” that some states now represent themselves as Central European, others – like Nordic. Moreover, the cultures of people who live on these lands are quite diverse, but the author thinks that this actually unites them into a single entity. I completely support the idea of viewing history from different points of view / narratives, so this book fits me perfectly, even if I often disagree with it in details highlighted or omitted.
The first four chapters looks at people and their histories, both the ‘state-forming ethnicity’ and three (religious) groups that had a major effect – Jews, Muslims and ‘Heretics’ (Bogomils, Hussites, and even less formal groups like alchemists). This part shows how for centuries people of different faiths lived together often tolerantly (even if there were massacres of representatives of all groups). There was a lot of new for me info about “Magic Prague” and its legacy as well as a wealth of info about Muslims on Balkans.
The following four chapters united under the header “Empires and Peoples” and discuss Byzantine, Ottomans, an “almost empire” of Poland-Lithuania, Russian and Austria-Hungary empires. I guess it is wrong to omit the Lithuanian empire (see An Unproclaimed Empire: The Grand Duchy of Lithuania: From the Viewpoint of Comparative Historical Sociology of Empires) as well as the Commonwealth… also sometimes it gives empires as too tolerant, e.g. “One of the biggest was that it allowed for an unprecedented degree of religious toleration. In the Russian Empire, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and pagan animists all coexisted in a single state. They were free to follow their native faiths and, for the most part, didn’t have to worry about missionaries. In this respect, Russia was more like the Ottoman Empire than any Western European state.” However, one can look at the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, forcefully dismantled by Catherine II or Baptists in the early 20th century, to see that any Christian opponent of Orthodoxy wasn’t tolerated.
In the last part the author describes nation-states that were (re-)created after the fall of empires after WW1 and their development under Soviet rule. Here, he actively adds his family history, from his very different lines.
Overall, a very interesting book, even if it goes wide, not deep, following established narratives of local histories.
The author starts with the fact that “There is no such thing as Eastern Europe anymore” that some states now represent themselves as Central European, others – like Nordic. Moreover, the cultures of people who live on these lands are quite diverse, but the author thinks that this actually unites them into a single entity. I completely support the idea of viewing history from different points of view / narratives, so this book fits me perfectly, even if I often disagree with it in details highlighted or omitted.
The first four chapters looks at people and their histories, both the ‘state-forming ethnicity’ and three (religious) groups that had a major effect – Jews, Muslims and ‘Heretics’ (Bogomils, Hussites, and even less formal groups like alchemists). This part shows how for centuries people of different faiths lived together often tolerantly (even if there were massacres of representatives of all groups). There was a lot of new for me info about “Magic Prague” and its legacy as well as a wealth of info about Muslims on Balkans.
The following four chapters united under the header “Empires and Peoples” and discuss Byzantine, Ottomans, an “almost empire” of Poland-Lithuania, Russian and Austria-Hungary empires. I guess it is wrong to omit the Lithuanian empire (see An Unproclaimed Empire: The Grand Duchy of Lithuania: From the Viewpoint of Comparative Historical Sociology of Empires) as well as the Commonwealth… also sometimes it gives empires as too tolerant, e.g. “One of the biggest was that it allowed for an unprecedented degree of religious toleration. In the Russian Empire, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and pagan animists all coexisted in a single state. They were free to follow their native faiths and, for the most part, didn’t have to worry about missionaries. In this respect, Russia was more like the Ottoman Empire than any Western European state.” However, one can look at the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, forcefully dismantled by Catherine II or Baptists in the early 20th century, to see that any Christian opponent of Orthodoxy wasn’t tolerated.
In the last part the author describes nation-states that were (re-)created after the fall of empires after WW1 and their development under Soviet rule. Here, he actively adds his family history, from his very different lines.
Overall, a very interesting book, even if it goes wide, not deep, following established narratives of local histories.
February 6, 2025
The author has clearly done a lot of research and wants you to know about every stray bit of it, cohesive narrative be damned.
This book is a whirly gig tour of Eastern and Central Europe through time and place without an organizing principle beyond broad, chapter level themes. This makes it very hard to process everything he’s throwing at you.
Each chapter is crammed with so many anecdotal sketches that the author had to condense them to the point of opacity in order to fit them all in. I found myself running to Wikipedia way too many times in the early chapters just to get a clear understanding of what the heck he was talking about. I finally gave up and just tried to think of the rest of the book as laying the foundation for the next one I try to read about this region.
Maybe someone who has more background knowledge in this area would get more out of this book than I did, but I don’t recommend this as an introduction to the subject. That said, the writing itself is engaging and the subject matter is compelling. If the author had focused more on depth instead of breadth, I would be rating this much higher.
This book is a whirly gig tour of Eastern and Central Europe through time and place without an organizing principle beyond broad, chapter level themes. This makes it very hard to process everything he’s throwing at you.
Each chapter is crammed with so many anecdotal sketches that the author had to condense them to the point of opacity in order to fit them all in. I found myself running to Wikipedia way too many times in the early chapters just to get a clear understanding of what the heck he was talking about. I finally gave up and just tried to think of the rest of the book as laying the foundation for the next one I try to read about this region.
Maybe someone who has more background knowledge in this area would get more out of this book than I did, but I don’t recommend this as an introduction to the subject. That said, the writing itself is engaging and the subject matter is compelling. If the author had focused more on depth instead of breadth, I would be rating this much higher.
August 7, 2024
I am very disappointed by this book.
It feels like it is a discombobulated combination of the author's personal history and multiple historical sources. The lines of which are difficult to decipher unless you are seemingly intimate with the author's family history.
This was such a terrible read, which is unfortunate as, based on the subject matter, I was very excited to read and learn more.
DNF.
It feels like it is a discombobulated combination of the author's personal history and multiple historical sources. The lines of which are difficult to decipher unless you are seemingly intimate with the author's family history.
This was such a terrible read, which is unfortunate as, based on the subject matter, I was very excited to read and learn more.
DNF.
January 6, 2025
Absolutely delicious, flows like honey and smells like the homeland of my ancestors. For an Eastern European, this book revives memories you didn't even know you had, or recenters experiences you were all too keen to have forgotten. Genuinely impressive combination of exceptionally human-centric and gentle, literary writing, with the rigours of a highly researched, academic style work.
August 29, 2023
I'm a sucker for these at-a-glance patchwork history books, especially when the focus is from the people's perspective rather than royalty or nobility. There's so many fun and interesting and sad and thought-provoking nuggets of people's history in this part of the world, eager to be shared and told, and a capable author can weave a captivating narrative while enticing the reader along the way with such cookie crumbles. The author himself comes from a complex mix of Eastern European people of varying cultural and religious backgrounds, and in many parts of the book he's able to weave in details about his ancestors and their hometowns and their histories. My favourite chapters were about paganism, nomads, and the beginning of nation states.
August 18, 2023
An okay introduction to the history of the region, but it fell short in creating a complete picture of the Eastern Europe of today. I felt that the thesis rested on the idea of the difference between the "old" Eastern Europe and the "present" Eastern Europe, so it was disappointing that the "present" Eastern Europe only made a fleeting appearance in the epilogue. That being said, it gave enough interesting info to make me want to continue to seek out other histories of Eastern Europe.
June 24, 2024
I was super excited to read this book because I have not seen any (non-textbook) book on the market taking a broad look at Eastern Europe and not focusing on a particular country.
I mostly enjoyed it, the writing style was very not too dry and I appreciated the author's sense of humor. The first and second parts were very interesting and engaging. The only thing I did not like about them was that the first part seemed to be emphasised occultism too much almost to the point where to me, having grown up in Eastern Europe, it seemed a bit ridiculous and almost as if written for a Western gaze.
The third part was less great overall, in my opinion the general tone was much less intimate, a lot of facts and numbers and historical figures were thrown in, giving it a textbookish character.
So if I could choose I'd probably give this book 3.5, but because I really appreciate how much research it must taken and I liked the how the author tied his own family history into the context of the broader history of the region.
I mostly enjoyed it, the writing style was very not too dry and I appreciated the author's sense of humor. The first and second parts were very interesting and engaging. The only thing I did not like about them was that the first part seemed to be emphasised occultism too much almost to the point where to me, having grown up in Eastern Europe, it seemed a bit ridiculous and almost as if written for a Western gaze.
The third part was less great overall, in my opinion the general tone was much less intimate, a lot of facts and numbers and historical figures were thrown in, giving it a textbookish character.
So if I could choose I'd probably give this book 3.5, but because I really appreciate how much research it must taken and I liked the how the author tied his own family history into the context of the broader history of the region.
April 30, 2024
it’s essentially “quirky” anecdotes strung together in occasionally tangential and unrelated ways to make a picture of Eastern Europe. the author would probably argue that’s exactly the point but i didn’t feel it made for satisfactory reading
still pretty interesting and learned a lot of “fun facts” as opposed to real history
still pretty interesting and learned a lot of “fun facts” as opposed to real history
June 5, 2023
The book spike my interest because the Slavic themes are close to my heart. I'm from Poland and I love to learn about the history of my country in a way that is different from school form. I like when the facts presented are interesting and to the point. I like when there is multicultural approach and comparison with modern day state of things. Mikanowski's work has all that and more. I enjoy going into details and his personal remarks about the origin of differences and movements of boarders between so-called Easter Europe. I'm glad that Poland had its own rightful place in there but also that other, smaller, Slavic countries were mentioned.
The only thing I had a problem with was editing, because I do enjoy having actual chapters between which I can maneuver and go back if I want to for reference. Other than that, it is solid work and I recommend it to anybody who is interested in Easter European history.
The only thing I had a problem with was editing, because I do enjoy having actual chapters between which I can maneuver and go back if I want to for reference. Other than that, it is solid work and I recommend it to anybody who is interested in Easter European history.
November 9, 2023
Nah. I've been done over here.
I got sent to Estonia (in Eastern Europe) for work and so read this book literally on the plane ride so I could arrive all cultured and knowledgeable.
I really really went hard at it. I was cross referencing chapters, memorising key figures, dates - it felt like GCSE double science all over again. I'm going off and googling "Rudolph the Second's pet human meets Keplar founder of space" to understand exactly the importance of the chapter entitled "Heretics" whilst I'm waiting for my baggage.
300+ pages I get to the end searching for meaning, for a final chapter to tie it altogether and you know what the author says?
History is just something that happens to Eastern Europe. There's no rhyme nor reason and people should remember that.
How the hell was I supposed to endear myself to the people of Tallinn by saying "I understand your culture is based entirely off what other people have done to you, how does that make you feel?" Waste of my bloody time.
I got sent to Estonia (in Eastern Europe) for work and so read this book literally on the plane ride so I could arrive all cultured and knowledgeable.
I really really went hard at it. I was cross referencing chapters, memorising key figures, dates - it felt like GCSE double science all over again. I'm going off and googling "Rudolph the Second's pet human meets Keplar founder of space" to understand exactly the importance of the chapter entitled "Heretics" whilst I'm waiting for my baggage.
300+ pages I get to the end searching for meaning, for a final chapter to tie it altogether and you know what the author says?
History is just something that happens to Eastern Europe. There's no rhyme nor reason and people should remember that.
How the hell was I supposed to endear myself to the people of Tallinn by saying "I understand your culture is based entirely off what other people have done to you, how does that make you feel?" Waste of my bloody time.
March 13, 2024
This was a great 'connective tissue' view of the history of modern Eastern Europe. I've read a lot of the 'battle' and 'political’ history of this region and was always a bit confused about why its histories did not seem to conform to the pattern of Western European histories over the same periods. This book went behind the scenes illuminating the incredible diversity, movement of religions, patterns of migration, ethnic disputes, and displacement that has fueled the dynamism of the more traditional markers of history.
September 16, 2025
The book Goodbye Eastern Europe is a sweeping, beautifully crafted exploration of a region shaped by empires, migrations, and centuries of cultural crosscurrents. The author weaves together personal and family history with the broader story of Eastern Europe, showing how it has been pulled between the great powers of the east and west and molded by the faiths of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, and scarred by conquest, colonization, migration and tragedy.
I loved how the book reveals Eastern Europe as a rich tapestry of ethnicities and nationalities - some ancient, others invented - each fighting for identity and survival. It traces the impact of the Austro-Habsburg and Ottoman empires, the devastation of the world wars, the rise of communism and socialism, and the eventual resurgence of nationalism and the spread of capitalism.
Divided into three sections - Faiths, People and Empires, and The Twentieth Century - the book balances scholarship with personal and historical storytelling, making complex history both interesting and deeply human. Many of the intertwined narratives felt like they could fill entire volumes on their own, yet the author ties them together with a common thread of memory, identity, and the quest for nationhood.
Dense with insight but always readable, this is a brilliant, panoramic portrait of a region forever negotiating its place between past and future. It left me with a deeper appreciation for the fragility and resilience of nations. This was an excellent read.
I loved how the book reveals Eastern Europe as a rich tapestry of ethnicities and nationalities - some ancient, others invented - each fighting for identity and survival. It traces the impact of the Austro-Habsburg and Ottoman empires, the devastation of the world wars, the rise of communism and socialism, and the eventual resurgence of nationalism and the spread of capitalism.
Divided into three sections - Faiths, People and Empires, and The Twentieth Century - the book balances scholarship with personal and historical storytelling, making complex history both interesting and deeply human. Many of the intertwined narratives felt like they could fill entire volumes on their own, yet the author ties them together with a common thread of memory, identity, and the quest for nationhood.
Dense with insight but always readable, this is a brilliant, panoramic portrait of a region forever negotiating its place between past and future. It left me with a deeper appreciation for the fragility and resilience of nations. This was an excellent read.
April 12, 2024
this book provides a really broad overview of Eastern European history and politics; branching from the medieval days all the way to post-soviet modern-day. in this, themes like faith, empire, nation and people are tackled, which is at once the strength and weakness of the book. you get hit with a huge amount of information, but ultimately it swims the surface and to learn more on topics you are particularly interested in, you’d have to dive deeper with further reading
October 20, 2023
Excellent! An insightful journey through the history of Eastern Europe, a bit tragic and bloody, but incredibly interesting.
January 7, 2024
Between 3,5 to 4. Post 4 because I did overall find it to be a pleasant reading experience. In addition, I found the author writing with care and compassion towards the region and its historical pains.
Slightly repetitive and as a whole the chapters did not present a coherent argument (were there any at all?). The presentation and accentuation of Eastern Europe as a “messy” and “mystical” place, (something that the author repeated often) does not make an argument.
Notably either because of author’s personal interest, knowledge or lack of sources in English, the book heavily focuses on the part of Eastern Europe that itself prefers now to be seen as Central Europe. In the book there was a notable absence of examples and stories from, say, the Baltics or Ukraine while Belarus was almost entirely absent.
For me, the first part was the most interesting, while the last chapters especially the second hand anecdotes of the Soviet - or their satellites - times (like the chapter “Socialism”) were not particularly interesting to someone from the region. This can also be noted in the use of sources almost exclusively in English. Whether it is because the author wanted to allow layman audience - which this book is really for - the chance to consult the sources or because he himself is not able to speak any of the languages spoken in Eastern Europe I do not know.
Overall, if you are not very familiar with the region and its history I would say, this is a 4* book. If you are familiar this I rather a pleasant 3* book.
Slightly repetitive and as a whole the chapters did not present a coherent argument (were there any at all?). The presentation and accentuation of Eastern Europe as a “messy” and “mystical” place, (something that the author repeated often) does not make an argument.
Notably either because of author’s personal interest, knowledge or lack of sources in English, the book heavily focuses on the part of Eastern Europe that itself prefers now to be seen as Central Europe. In the book there was a notable absence of examples and stories from, say, the Baltics or Ukraine while Belarus was almost entirely absent.
For me, the first part was the most interesting, while the last chapters especially the second hand anecdotes of the Soviet - or their satellites - times (like the chapter “Socialism”) were not particularly interesting to someone from the region. This can also be noted in the use of sources almost exclusively in English. Whether it is because the author wanted to allow layman audience - which this book is really for - the chance to consult the sources or because he himself is not able to speak any of the languages spoken in Eastern Europe I do not know.
Overall, if you are not very familiar with the region and its history I would say, this is a 4* book. If you are familiar this I rather a pleasant 3* book.
April 17, 2024
I dont know what the genre is called but I love this style of book - loads of interesting facts and stories loosely tied together by a common theme and the authors personal reflections, reminded me a lot of Olivia Laing's 'The Lonely City' or Cal Flyn's 'Islands of Abandonment'.
This book was fascinating and not really what I was expecting at all. It starts out dealing with the early mythology of the region and then moves on to how the demographics shifted so dramatically over time along with control of different areas. There's a nice mix of funny stories and serious ones, and the writing is really good and shifts well between these tones.
It gets a tiny bit slow in the middle and I would have loved some of the earlier space given to very old mythology etc to be given more to the experiences in the 20th/21st century, as these were really short compared to the earlier sections. These were the most interesting to me because there was a lot more pulled from first hand accounts (some of the one liners here from people living through it were just really great sarcastic humor which I really enjoyed). Highly recommend, such an interesting read and I only wish there had been more to it.
This book was fascinating and not really what I was expecting at all. It starts out dealing with the early mythology of the region and then moves on to how the demographics shifted so dramatically over time along with control of different areas. There's a nice mix of funny stories and serious ones, and the writing is really good and shifts well between these tones.
It gets a tiny bit slow in the middle and I would have loved some of the earlier space given to very old mythology etc to be given more to the experiences in the 20th/21st century, as these were really short compared to the earlier sections. These were the most interesting to me because there was a lot more pulled from first hand accounts (some of the one liners here from people living through it were just really great sarcastic humor which I really enjoyed). Highly recommend, such an interesting read and I only wish there had been more to it.
November 28, 2023
Disclaimer: this book was by no means perfect, and at times it felt almost frenetic in the way that it moved from one anecdote and topic to another, but it was *fascinating* beyond all measure and impressive in its temporal and geographical scope. There are parts where I think he glosses more than he should, but I’ll forgive him that.
Eastern Europe (broadly speaking) and Poland (specifically) were my first loves, long before Russia, and the author takes the reader on a truly sweeping journey.
Eastern Europe (broadly speaking) and Poland (specifically) were my first loves, long before Russia, and the author takes the reader on a truly sweeping journey.
August 6, 2023
Highly recommended!!!
February 9, 2026
В книзі Якуба Мікановського «Прощавай, Східна Європо», в якій Східна Європа постає простором екзотики, насильства й абсурду. Такий собі трагікомічний історичний ландшафт для антропологічного спостереження. Майже як фільми про Бората.
З одного боку це справді сильна есеїстика, яка багато говорить про памʼять, травму й розмаїття. Але водночас вона відтворює колоніальний наратив, у якому згаданий європейський регіон постає як «інша Європа» — яскрава, дика, терпляча до насильства й майже позбавлена власної політичної суб’єктності.
У цій рамці Україна стає суб’єктом лише після 1991 року. Усе, що цьому передує, або розчиняється на тлі чужих імперських історій, або редукується до насильства й хаосу без власної політичної логіки. Критичне ставлення до Росії, яке щедро присутнє в тексті, на жаль, не стає запобіжником для відтворювання імперської оптики щодо України.
Українська політична традиція у цьому тексті фактично відсутня, ключові діячі не згадані майже взагалі. Виняток — Богдан Хмельницький, поданий передусім як погромник і фігура катастрофи для єврейського населення. Водночас московсько-російська влада представлена безперервно іменованою лінією від царів з почтом до генсеків з обов’язковою плеядою діячів російської культури.
Київ у цій оптиці майже зникає. Коли він згадується, то лише контекстуально, не як столиця держави й не як політичний центр. Русь, як перший етап української державності, взагалі не проговорюється, ніби цей історичний пласт є занадто складним і його простіше оминути. Це підкріплюється описом подорожі київських князів до Константинополя, де вони постають «напіввікінгами-напівсловʼянами», які обирають християнство через те, що були вражені красою візантійської архітектури. Політичне рішення зведене до культурного враження, по суті до реакції «варварів». Паралельно з цим є теза про «Російську імперію, що виводить свій початок із часів Святого Володимира».
Історичні мапи Східної Європи в книзі починаються з Речі Посполитої. У згадках про Річ Посполиту та Велике князівство Литовське зникає руська шляхта, руська (українська) мова як державна і загалом будь-яка тяглість від Русі. Українці постають або суто селянами, або ж ватагами розбійників. Складається враження, що української знаті просто не існувало. Україна постійно описується як пограниччя між Росією, Османською імперією та Річчю Посполитою — без власного центру, історичної логіки й права на політичну спадкоємність.
Козацтво подане як напіванархічне братство, схильне до бенкетів і грабунків, без системного військового й політичного мислення: «Січова фортеця була схожа на школу-інтернат, де учням надавався повний пансіон, але проводили вони весь свій час на полюванні, риболовлі та банкетах, а не навчаючись. Козаки не дуже переймалися військовим вишколом, бо вірили, що воїн гартується лише у полум’ї битви».
Показовий і опис Дмитра Вишневецького. Спадковий аристократ з князівського роду описується як простий гульвіса, розбійник і п’яниця, якого стратив турецький султан. Загалом «типовий козак», згодом героїзований в образі Байди.
Українські події 1917–1921 років описані як суцільний хаос, там немає ані проголошення української державності, ані імен її діячів. Ленін підписує Брест-Литовський договір, яким «передав Україну під німецький та австрійський контроль». Є безіменний «гетьман» у лапках, який тримається на німецьких штиках. Далі отаманщина, хаотична зміна влад, відсутність сенсу. Єдине прізвище, згадане за цей період — Махно, який подається головним репрезентантом невтіленої мрії про українську незалежність. Великою ж ідеєю майбутнього в цій оптиці наділені більшовики.
Українська повстанська армія згадана один раз, у контексті Волинської трагедії. Автор пише, що «українські націоналісти розпочали війну на знищення місцевих поляків», далі розповідає, що доки совєтські партизани боролися проти німців, есесівці та упівці переслідували євреїв і ромів. Автор співставляє УПА з солдатами вермахту, повністю ігноруючи факт боротьби українського руху опору одночасно проти двох тоталітарних режимів.
Також у книзі процес совєтизації Східної Європи починається з 1939 року, тоді як совєтська окупація більшої частини України на початку 1920-х просто випадає з поля зору. Навіть Ланцюг єдності 1990 року поданий як «українська версія Балтійського шляху», без згадки про його зв’язок із Актом Злуки 1919-го.
У фіналі автор, підсумовуючи свої міркування про причини російського вторгнення в Україну, цитує білоруського інтелектуала з Мінська, який називає російсько-українську війну «війною за розмаїття» між Центральною та Східною Європою, і зазначає, що погоджується з цією тезою. У цій рамці логіка дотримана чітко — від безсуб’єктності до розмитої мети у цій війні, яка постає черговим міжрегіональним конфліктом.
Говорячи про українську історію та війну, автор майже не звертається до українських голосів, віддаючи право інтерпретації зовнішнім спостерігачам. Чим відтворює один з імперських шаблонів про безсуб’єктність України.
У тексті відчувається, що він щиро симпатизує Україні, захоплюється стійкістю й опором страшному ворогу. Але не менш щиро він помиляється у природі цієї війни. Бо опирається на історію уявної Східної Європи, з якою попрощався навіть не познайомившись насправді.
З одного боку це справді сильна есеїстика, яка багато говорить про памʼять, травму й розмаїття. Але водночас вона відтворює колоніальний наратив, у якому згаданий європейський регіон постає як «інша Європа» — яскрава, дика, терпляча до насильства й майже позбавлена власної політичної суб’єктності.
У цій рамці Україна стає суб’єктом лише після 1991 року. Усе, що цьому передує, або розчиняється на тлі чужих імперських історій, або редукується до насильства й хаосу без власної політичної логіки. Критичне ставлення до Росії, яке щедро присутнє в тексті, на жаль, не стає запобіжником для відтворювання імперської оптики щодо України.
Українська політична традиція у цьому тексті фактично відсутня, ключові діячі не згадані майже взагалі. Виняток — Богдан Хмельницький, поданий передусім як погромник і фігура катастрофи для єврейського населення. Водночас московсько-російська влада представлена безперервно іменованою лінією від царів з почтом до генсеків з обов’язковою плеядою діячів російської культури.
Київ у цій оптиці майже зникає. Коли він згадується, то лише контекстуально, не як столиця держави й не як політичний центр. Русь, як перший етап української державності, взагалі не проговорюється, ніби цей історичний пласт є занадто складним і його простіше оминути. Це підкріплюється описом подорожі київських князів до Константинополя, де вони постають «напіввікінгами-напівсловʼянами», які обирають християнство через те, що були вражені красою візантійської архітектури. Політичне рішення зведене до культурного враження, по суті до реакції «варварів». Паралельно з цим є теза про «Російську імперію, що виводить свій початок із часів Святого Володимира».
Історичні мапи Східної Європи в книзі починаються з Речі Посполитої. У згадках про Річ Посполиту та Велике князівство Литовське зникає руська шляхта, руська (українська) мова як державна і загалом будь-яка тяглість від Русі. Українці постають або суто селянами, або ж ватагами розбійників. Складається враження, що української знаті просто не існувало. Україна постійно описується як пограниччя між Росією, Османською імперією та Річчю Посполитою — без власного центру, історичної логіки й права на політичну спадкоємність.
Козацтво подане як напіванархічне братство, схильне до бенкетів і грабунків, без системного військового й політичного мислення: «Січова фортеця була схожа на школу-інтернат, де учням надавався повний пансіон, але проводили вони весь свій час на полюванні, риболовлі та банкетах, а не навчаючись. Козаки не дуже переймалися військовим вишколом, бо вірили, що воїн гартується лише у полум’ї битви».
Показовий і опис Дмитра Вишневецького. Спадковий аристократ з князівського роду описується як простий гульвіса, розбійник і п’яниця, якого стратив турецький султан. Загалом «типовий козак», згодом героїзований в образі Байди.
Українські події 1917–1921 років описані як суцільний хаос, там немає ані проголошення української державності, ані імен її діячів. Ленін підписує Брест-Литовський договір, яким «передав Україну під німецький та австрійський контроль». Є безіменний «гетьман» у лапках, який тримається на німецьких штиках. Далі отаманщина, хаотична зміна влад, відсутність сенсу. Єдине прізвище, згадане за цей період — Махно, який подається головним репрезентантом невтіленої мрії про українську незалежність. Великою ж ідеєю майбутнього в цій оптиці наділені більшовики.
Українська повстанська армія згадана один раз, у контексті Волинської трагедії. Автор пише, що «українські націоналісти розпочали війну на знищення місцевих поляків», далі розповідає, що доки совєтські партизани боролися проти німців, есесівці та упівці переслідували євреїв і ромів. Автор співставляє УПА з солдатами вермахту, повністю ігноруючи факт боротьби українського руху опору одночасно проти двох тоталітарних режимів.
Також у книзі процес совєтизації Східної Європи починається з 1939 року, тоді як совєтська окупація більшої частини України на початку 1920-х просто випадає з поля зору. Навіть Ланцюг єдності 1990 року поданий як «українська версія Балтійського шляху», без згадки про його зв’язок із Актом Злуки 1919-го.
У фіналі автор, підсумовуючи свої міркування про причини російського вторгнення в Україну, цитує білоруського інтелектуала з Мінська, який називає російсько-українську війну «війною за розмаїття» між Центральною та Східною Європою, і зазначає, що погоджується з цією тезою. У цій рамці логіка дотримана чітко — від безсуб’єктності до розмитої мети у цій війні, яка постає черговим міжрегіональним конфліктом.
Говорячи про українську історію та війну, автор майже не звертається до українських голосів, віддаючи право інтерпретації зовнішнім спостерігачам. Чим відтворює один з імперських шаблонів про безсуб’єктність України.
У тексті відчувається, що він щиро симпатизує Україні, захоплюється стійкістю й опором страшному ворогу. Але не менш щиро він помиляється у природі цієї війни. Бо опирається на історію уявної Східної Європи, з якою попрощався навіть не познайомившись насправді.
December 24, 2024
Der Historiker und Journalist Mikanowski hat mit diesem
Buch versucht, etwas zu erreichen, was eigentlich nicht möglich ist - und zwar die Geschichte Osteuropas anhand verschiedener Dimensionen in nur einem
Buch nachzuerzählen. Logischerweise kann das Buch diesem Anspruch nicht gerecht werden.
Mikanowski schreibt in dem Werk über die verschiedenen Imperien, Nationen, Religionen, Ethnien und politischen Ideologien in Osteuropa. Er geht auf wirtschaftliche, kulturelle, soziale, politische und ökologische Aspekte ein. Gleichzeitig erzählt er von den großen welthistorischen Ereignissen, die sich in Osteuropa abgespielt haben, aber begibt sich auch auf die Mikroebene und gibt den Leser Einblicke in die Lebensgeschichten verschiedener ganz normaler Menschen aus verschiedenen Regionen und Epochen.
All das ist interessant und wichtig, allerdings ist die Fülle an Informationen (insbesondere über die vielen Lebensgeschichten der Menschen) nicht zu verarbeiten und es bleibt hier nicht viel hängen.
Sehr gut gefallen haben mir dafür u.a. die Abschnitte zum Osmanischen Reich, zu den Jugoslawien-Kriegen, zu den verschiedenen nationalen Mythen und ihren Unterschieden und zur Sowjetära. Mikanowski hat meiner Meinung nach insbesondere das politische Denken so mancher Akteure in Russland, Polen und Ungarn und ihre Geschichtspolitik gut herausgearbeitet - insbesondere Laien werden hier noch viel dazulernen (aber nicht nur!). Auch das generelle Ziel des Buches, nämlich zu vermitteln, dass die Geschichte einer Region auch abseits von Nationalstaaten erzählt werden kann, finde ich persönlich wichtig.
Problematisch ist dagegen für mich die mehrmals im
Buch aufgetretene Aussage, dass Russland der direkte staatliche Nachfolger der Kiewer Rus sei, was so faktisch nicht stimmt bzw. sehr einseitig und Putin-getreu formuliert ist. Von einem Historiker hätte ich mir hier mehr Differenzierung gewünscht.
Buch versucht, etwas zu erreichen, was eigentlich nicht möglich ist - und zwar die Geschichte Osteuropas anhand verschiedener Dimensionen in nur einem
Buch nachzuerzählen. Logischerweise kann das Buch diesem Anspruch nicht gerecht werden.
Mikanowski schreibt in dem Werk über die verschiedenen Imperien, Nationen, Religionen, Ethnien und politischen Ideologien in Osteuropa. Er geht auf wirtschaftliche, kulturelle, soziale, politische und ökologische Aspekte ein. Gleichzeitig erzählt er von den großen welthistorischen Ereignissen, die sich in Osteuropa abgespielt haben, aber begibt sich auch auf die Mikroebene und gibt den Leser Einblicke in die Lebensgeschichten verschiedener ganz normaler Menschen aus verschiedenen Regionen und Epochen.
All das ist interessant und wichtig, allerdings ist die Fülle an Informationen (insbesondere über die vielen Lebensgeschichten der Menschen) nicht zu verarbeiten und es bleibt hier nicht viel hängen.
Sehr gut gefallen haben mir dafür u.a. die Abschnitte zum Osmanischen Reich, zu den Jugoslawien-Kriegen, zu den verschiedenen nationalen Mythen und ihren Unterschieden und zur Sowjetära. Mikanowski hat meiner Meinung nach insbesondere das politische Denken so mancher Akteure in Russland, Polen und Ungarn und ihre Geschichtspolitik gut herausgearbeitet - insbesondere Laien werden hier noch viel dazulernen (aber nicht nur!). Auch das generelle Ziel des Buches, nämlich zu vermitteln, dass die Geschichte einer Region auch abseits von Nationalstaaten erzählt werden kann, finde ich persönlich wichtig.
Problematisch ist dagegen für mich die mehrmals im
Buch aufgetretene Aussage, dass Russland der direkte staatliche Nachfolger der Kiewer Rus sei, was so faktisch nicht stimmt bzw. sehr einseitig und Putin-getreu formuliert ist. Von einem Historiker hätte ich mir hier mehr Differenzierung gewünscht.
May 3, 2024
Evocative and sensitive look at the region known as Eastern Europe through the centuries, highlighting the diversity of ethnicity, religion and culture coexisting in the area. The book travels from early Empires - Ottoman, Russian, Hapsburg - through the rise of the nation state, the volatile inter war years, and the imposition of Communism, up to the present day uncertainties.
The author is of Polish and Jewish heritage and has travelled widely in the region as well as researching the history. He uses anecdotes from his family history to illuminate his points, and writes with sensitivity and authority. I really enjoyed how he wove his different strands together, deepening my knowledge of the history and culture of the different states in an engaging and accessible way. He has an eye for a charismatic character and a delightfully gruesome detail which makes for an enjoyable read.
This enlightening and readable history would definitely be a recommendation for anyone interested in this fascinating and diverse part of Europe.
The author is of Polish and Jewish heritage and has travelled widely in the region as well as researching the history. He uses anecdotes from his family history to illuminate his points, and writes with sensitivity and authority. I really enjoyed how he wove his different strands together, deepening my knowledge of the history and culture of the different states in an engaging and accessible way. He has an eye for a charismatic character and a delightfully gruesome detail which makes for an enjoyable read.
This enlightening and readable history would definitely be a recommendation for anyone interested in this fascinating and diverse part of Europe.
November 18, 2025
Took a little time to get into, because the story starts all the way back to tribal days and talks a lot about faith, which is generally not really my jam, but about a quarter into the book I realized I found it harder and harder to stop reading.
The author has an interesting style, whereby he manages to intertwine all sorts of stories from all Eastern European countries - and yes, that counts countries that currently call themselves Baltic, Balkan, Central Europe. Anything to set themselves apart from the turbulent history.
The book is beautifully sad. Hard to find any other words. Closed it with a bit of a heavy heart, having been reminded of how much pain Slavs caused one another throughout the centuries and how hard it is to move forward from this.
The author has an interesting style, whereby he manages to intertwine all sorts of stories from all Eastern European countries - and yes, that counts countries that currently call themselves Baltic, Balkan, Central Europe. Anything to set themselves apart from the turbulent history.
The book is beautifully sad. Hard to find any other words. Closed it with a bit of a heavy heart, having been reminded of how much pain Slavs caused one another throughout the centuries and how hard it is to move forward from this.
April 27, 2024
This mediation on family, place, time gave me a reference point for the magazine articles and new broadcasts pre 2000. Good mediation for writer. Good reminder for me.
Ultimately my generation hopped that the sacrifices and hard work older generations had put into WWII and recovery was then in the 1980s and 90s was finally paying off.
Our hope could be seen in the popularity of such books as The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw
Ultimately my generation hopped that the sacrifices and hard work older generations had put into WWII and recovery was then in the 1980s and 90s was finally paying off.
Our hope could be seen in the popularity of such books as The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw
September 11, 2025
I rarely enjoy books trying to pass as understanding Eastern Europe but this was an excellent example of mixing the author’s personal heritage with a very well researched history. From the medieval legends of the lands, the unique merge of cultures and religion, to parts of history I was never taught in school about (Romania abolished slavery of the Roma people in late 1800s… why is this not taught in school?!). I will be suggesting this book to everyone around me for a while, highly recommend!
December 5, 2023
An interesting book that taught me a lot about Eastern Europe—its history and its people. I wished there was a little less of world war 2 (of which I knew most of) and a lot more of earlier and later history.
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