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Latvia: A Short History
The history of the Latvian people begins some four and a half millennia ago with the arrival of the proto-Baltic Indo-Europeans to northern Europe. One branch of these migrants coalesced into a community which evolved a distinctive and remarkably robust culture and language, and which eventually developed into a loose federation of tribal kingdoms that stretched from the shores of the Baltic sea to the upper Dniepr river. But these small independent kingdoms were unable to resist the later invasion of the Teutonic Knights in 1201, an invasion that initiated nearly eight hundred years of helotry for the Latvians in their own domains.In the centuries of domination by successive European powers that followed, the inhabitants nonetheless preserved a powerful sense of identity, fostered by their ancient language, oral literature, songs and customs. These in turn informed and gave impetus to the rise of national consciousness in the nineteenth century and the political activities of the twentieth which brought the modern nation-state of Latvia into being. This book traces the genesis and growth of that nation, its endurance over centuries of conquest and oppression, the process by which it achieved its independence, and its status as a member of the European community in the twenty-first century.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2015
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August 6, 2016
I knew next to nothing about Latvia, save its location and its very recent history after the fall of the Soviet Union. Kalnins did a great job writing his history of the Latvian people, and a history of the people it really is, a conquered people.
The territory of Latvia today was once the home to a group of fiercely independent tribes, with a culture separate from all those surrounding. They were the ancient repository for amber, talked about in Greek scholarship as a far-off, wealthy place. Nature was a source of strength for them, song even stronger. Throughout centuries of conquest by Germans, Teutonic Crusaders who enslaved the population, Swedes, Poles, and Russians, the Latvians remained resilient to Christianity, to foreign rule, to the destruction of their natural bounty and their culture. Story after story in this history has roughly the same cycle: Latvia was invaded by a foreign power, that foreign power won and inflicted devastating losses, it tried to stamp out Latvian language and customs, and eventually it was replaced by another power, sometimes more oppressive than before. Whether those rulers were German merchants in Riga or Soviet agents, Latvians resisted and were murdered. Kalnins relates the successive stories of heartbreak and death with an appropriate sense of gravity, while extolling the steadfast resolve of Latvians to retain cultural independence.
The Soviet Union crushed the nascent Latvian state that was born after the collapse of the Russian Empire. It was the first independent Latvian state in almost a millennia, and it was wasn't perfect, but it had already created a social safety net, seen the beginnings of a functional democracy, and tried to institute economic policies that helped the majority of Latvians, the impoverished. Then, Stalin invaded, and Latvia was once again ruled by a foreign oppressor, but Latvians remained steadfast, maintaining their culture and language, even as the Soviet Union instituted an aggressive Russification policy meant to destroy Latvian resilience. Needless to say, the Soviet Union failed, but along the way wreaked havoc. Stemming from its annual nationwide song festival that praised the Latvian oral epics of old, the Singing Revolution brought a miles-long chain of Latvians together to topple the Soviet regime. Then, they picked themselves up and started again, the Latvian way. Two decades later, as a member of the EU and NATO, and stridently anti-Russian, Latvia is once more under threat from an aggressive Russia under Vladimir Putin. If there one thing I'm certain of after reading this book, it's that I know the Latvians will resist forever. Amen to that.
The territory of Latvia today was once the home to a group of fiercely independent tribes, with a culture separate from all those surrounding. They were the ancient repository for amber, talked about in Greek scholarship as a far-off, wealthy place. Nature was a source of strength for them, song even stronger. Throughout centuries of conquest by Germans, Teutonic Crusaders who enslaved the population, Swedes, Poles, and Russians, the Latvians remained resilient to Christianity, to foreign rule, to the destruction of their natural bounty and their culture. Story after story in this history has roughly the same cycle: Latvia was invaded by a foreign power, that foreign power won and inflicted devastating losses, it tried to stamp out Latvian language and customs, and eventually it was replaced by another power, sometimes more oppressive than before. Whether those rulers were German merchants in Riga or Soviet agents, Latvians resisted and were murdered. Kalnins relates the successive stories of heartbreak and death with an appropriate sense of gravity, while extolling the steadfast resolve of Latvians to retain cultural independence.
The Soviet Union crushed the nascent Latvian state that was born after the collapse of the Russian Empire. It was the first independent Latvian state in almost a millennia, and it was wasn't perfect, but it had already created a social safety net, seen the beginnings of a functional democracy, and tried to institute economic policies that helped the majority of Latvians, the impoverished. Then, Stalin invaded, and Latvia was once again ruled by a foreign oppressor, but Latvians remained steadfast, maintaining their culture and language, even as the Soviet Union instituted an aggressive Russification policy meant to destroy Latvian resilience. Needless to say, the Soviet Union failed, but along the way wreaked havoc. Stemming from its annual nationwide song festival that praised the Latvian oral epics of old, the Singing Revolution brought a miles-long chain of Latvians together to topple the Soviet regime. Then, they picked themselves up and started again, the Latvian way. Two decades later, as a member of the EU and NATO, and stridently anti-Russian, Latvia is once more under threat from an aggressive Russia under Vladimir Putin. If there one thing I'm certain of after reading this book, it's that I know the Latvians will resist forever. Amen to that.
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January 14, 2025Svårt att sätta ett betyg på en historiografi, men som sådan har Latvia: A short history många förtjänster. Den var lätt att ta sig igenom och fördjupande på rätt ställen. Jag lärde mig massor!
December 7, 2020
Mara Kalnins' history of Latvia is an excellent introduction to the people and nation. The Latvians have gone from a loose federation of kingdoms to an independent nation with membership in the European Union and NATO. Until recent times, their history is one of conquest and domination by Germans, Swedes, Poles, and Russians. Yet in spite of this, they tenaciously held on to their independent identity through their customs, folklore, and language.
Christianity, which was introduced to Latvia through conquest and commerce, was fiercely resisted for centuries. Even when eventually acknowledged, it was only a thin veneer over the persistent paganism, which finds expression yet today. Though Christianity was seen as a foreign religion, the translation of the Bible and hymns into Latvian and the educational institutions founded by Lutherans and Moravians helped keep the Latvian identity and language alive.
Feudalism also persisted in Latvia for centuries after it died in the rest of Europe, keeping the Latvians in subjection to German lords whose castles still dot the landscape. Though feudalism was reduced for a time under the Swedes, when Russia returned under Peter the Great (early 18th century), the peasants once again became little more than property. While the rest of Europe was advancing, the condition of the Latvians "was among the most wretched in Europe." Latvians were actually sold as slaves until as recently as 1780.
In the 1800's a distinct national and political consciousness developed among the Latvians, and the first Latvian song festival was held in 1873. Poetry and music played a vital part in developing Latvian national identity. However, by 1885 the vernacular languages of the Baltics were banned in an attempt to Russify the local population and wipe out their national identities. But music and poetry tied the Latvian language to the soul of the people, and secret societies dedicated to the national history and art enabled the language of only 2 million native speakers to survive. However, during this period Latvians had to be trilingual (Latvian, German, and Russian) in order to survive whichever imperial power was in control. At various times, both the Germans and Russians tried to replace or subsidize the Latvian workforce by importing tens of thousands of German or Russian workers into what would later become Latvia.
With the outbreak of WW1 in 1914, the Latvians faced the difficult choice of who to side with: Germany or Russia? Afraid of becoming a colony of Germany once again, the Latvians sided with Russia, and in 1915 “the tzar permitted flags and insignia with Latvian emblems and inscriptions, the first time in 700 years that an imperial power had given them official recognition.” WW1 marked the end of the Russian Empire, the birth of Soviet Russia, and the disputed question of whether the area today known as Latvia would be under Russian or German administration. An agreement between Russia and Germany put parts of Latvia under German control and parts under Russian. But in 11 November 1918, the Allied powers recognized Latvia’s sovereignty and a nation was born.
As exciting as this was, Latvia (along with Estonia and Lithuania) was born during a dark time in Europe. The Great War devastated the economy and farmland, and between 1914 and 1925 the population of Latvia shrank by nearly 30%. At this time, the demographic composition of the Latvia was 76% Latvian, 12% Russian, 4% German, and others. The task of building a new nation in these conditions was daunting, and the early governments of Latvia were quite authoritarian.
After an intermission of a few decades following WW1, things in Europe started to heat up again, and the Soviets eyed the Baltics as a defensive wall against the Germans. The West refused to intervene, and on 16 June 1940 over 200,000 Russian troops entered Latvia. A sham election was held in which 98% of the votes were cast for Communist candidates followed by staged demonstrations calling for a “Soviet Latvia.” On 5 August 1940, Latvia was swallowed up into the Soviet Union, businesses were nationalized, capitalism abolished, churches declared state property, and the banking system destroyed.
But this occupation was short-lived as Germany, under the direction of Hitler, fought the Russians in the Baltics. Eager to throw off their Communist occupiers, the Latvians cooperated with the Germans. The Russians retreated, and the Latvians hoped to restore their independent government. However, the Germans didn’t leave, becoming the new occupying force. Hitler’s extermination of Jews spread to Latvia, where over 10% of the population of Riga was Jewish. Nearly 30,000 were killed in two massacres in forests outside Riga. During the 3 years of Nazi occupation, roughly 100,000 people of many nationalities were imprisoned. Hitler tried to conscript Latvian men into his military, but many organized guerrilla groups in the Latvian forests and later became famously known as the “Forest Brothers,” who would continue their guerilla warfare against the Soviets into the 1960’s.
As WW2 came to an end, the Allies were in no mood to antagonize Stalin, and offered no resistance to the USSR’s re-occupation of the Baltics and the large-scale deportation of Latvians to Siberia. Along with this, an estimated 300,000 Latvians (during the years of WW2) fled the country as refugees, further decimating the population. Latvia had lost nearly 1/5th of its population, and for the second time, it was part of the Soviet Union. Over half a million Russians were imported into the country as laborers, but also as administrators of public institutions. By 1952 Latvians made up only 54% of the population. Riga was 1/3 Latvian.
During this dark period, many Latvians lived double lives. To survive, they had to cooperate with the Communists. But in secret, they continued to guard Latvian language, culture and values.
Over 44,000 farmers were deported to Siberia, farms were collectivized, and by 1956 less than half of pre-occupation farmland was being cultivated. Families, however, were given small gardens, and though these gardens represented only 5% of cultivatable land, it was producing 66% of all vegetables in the country. In 1940, only 30% of Latvians were urbanized. But by 1980 it had grown to 70%. The neglect of Latvian farms combined with careless Soviet industry saw an increase in pollution, but also contributed to Latvia having one of the highest rates of alcoholism and suicide in Europe. Additionally, Communism created an atmosphere where corruption and dishonesty became commonplace.
By the 1980’s, cracks in the Soviet Union were beginning to appear. Nationalistic movements among the occupied nations began to grow. Once again, the Latvian resistance was expressed through literature, poetry, and music. In August 1989, two million Baltic men, women, and children formed a human chain from Tallinn, Estonia, through Riga, to Vilnius, Lithuania to “sing their way to freedom.” After a series of events, the Soviets finally had to recognize Latvia’s independent sovereignty on 6 September, 1991.
5 decades of Soviet occupation had left its leaders with an overwhelmingly complex situation. Nearly half the population was Russian, resulting in the difficult question of citizenship. For 50 years the government and economy had been centralized in Moscow, and overnight Latvia found itself a capitalistic country but with little infrastructure. “It is estimated that half the population lived at or below the official poverty level during these transition years.” Those who had been in power during the Communist time were best positioned to take advantage of the new situation, and corruption multiplied. In the absence of a strong, functioning government, oligarchs and mafia filled the void.
However, the new governments resisted the temptation to engage in punitive governing “to redress historic wrongs,” and began the work of rebuilding a nation. Latvia integrated in the European Union and NATO in 2004 to strengthen their defense against any resurgence of the Russian Empire. In spite of these gains, education and healthcare were behind the rest of Europe, though they’re improving each year. Latvia’s political system remains a complicated coalition of many parties. With freedom of movement within the European Union, many of Latvia’s young people have left to work in Scandinavia, Britain, Ireland, Spain, or other parts of Europe.
Latvia is now 102 years old, half of which has been spent under German or Russian occupation. Latvian resiliency in the face of occupations, forced and voluntary emigrations, and corruption is amazing. A strong culture and language has survived, and is a tremendous asset to the world. There is much we can learn from the peaceful determination of the Latvian people to protect their independence and identity.
Christianity, which was introduced to Latvia through conquest and commerce, was fiercely resisted for centuries. Even when eventually acknowledged, it was only a thin veneer over the persistent paganism, which finds expression yet today. Though Christianity was seen as a foreign religion, the translation of the Bible and hymns into Latvian and the educational institutions founded by Lutherans and Moravians helped keep the Latvian identity and language alive.
Feudalism also persisted in Latvia for centuries after it died in the rest of Europe, keeping the Latvians in subjection to German lords whose castles still dot the landscape. Though feudalism was reduced for a time under the Swedes, when Russia returned under Peter the Great (early 18th century), the peasants once again became little more than property. While the rest of Europe was advancing, the condition of the Latvians "was among the most wretched in Europe." Latvians were actually sold as slaves until as recently as 1780.
In the 1800's a distinct national and political consciousness developed among the Latvians, and the first Latvian song festival was held in 1873. Poetry and music played a vital part in developing Latvian national identity. However, by 1885 the vernacular languages of the Baltics were banned in an attempt to Russify the local population and wipe out their national identities. But music and poetry tied the Latvian language to the soul of the people, and secret societies dedicated to the national history and art enabled the language of only 2 million native speakers to survive. However, during this period Latvians had to be trilingual (Latvian, German, and Russian) in order to survive whichever imperial power was in control. At various times, both the Germans and Russians tried to replace or subsidize the Latvian workforce by importing tens of thousands of German or Russian workers into what would later become Latvia.
With the outbreak of WW1 in 1914, the Latvians faced the difficult choice of who to side with: Germany or Russia? Afraid of becoming a colony of Germany once again, the Latvians sided with Russia, and in 1915 “the tzar permitted flags and insignia with Latvian emblems and inscriptions, the first time in 700 years that an imperial power had given them official recognition.” WW1 marked the end of the Russian Empire, the birth of Soviet Russia, and the disputed question of whether the area today known as Latvia would be under Russian or German administration. An agreement between Russia and Germany put parts of Latvia under German control and parts under Russian. But in 11 November 1918, the Allied powers recognized Latvia’s sovereignty and a nation was born.
As exciting as this was, Latvia (along with Estonia and Lithuania) was born during a dark time in Europe. The Great War devastated the economy and farmland, and between 1914 and 1925 the population of Latvia shrank by nearly 30%. At this time, the demographic composition of the Latvia was 76% Latvian, 12% Russian, 4% German, and others. The task of building a new nation in these conditions was daunting, and the early governments of Latvia were quite authoritarian.
After an intermission of a few decades following WW1, things in Europe started to heat up again, and the Soviets eyed the Baltics as a defensive wall against the Germans. The West refused to intervene, and on 16 June 1940 over 200,000 Russian troops entered Latvia. A sham election was held in which 98% of the votes were cast for Communist candidates followed by staged demonstrations calling for a “Soviet Latvia.” On 5 August 1940, Latvia was swallowed up into the Soviet Union, businesses were nationalized, capitalism abolished, churches declared state property, and the banking system destroyed.
But this occupation was short-lived as Germany, under the direction of Hitler, fought the Russians in the Baltics. Eager to throw off their Communist occupiers, the Latvians cooperated with the Germans. The Russians retreated, and the Latvians hoped to restore their independent government. However, the Germans didn’t leave, becoming the new occupying force. Hitler’s extermination of Jews spread to Latvia, where over 10% of the population of Riga was Jewish. Nearly 30,000 were killed in two massacres in forests outside Riga. During the 3 years of Nazi occupation, roughly 100,000 people of many nationalities were imprisoned. Hitler tried to conscript Latvian men into his military, but many organized guerrilla groups in the Latvian forests and later became famously known as the “Forest Brothers,” who would continue their guerilla warfare against the Soviets into the 1960’s.
As WW2 came to an end, the Allies were in no mood to antagonize Stalin, and offered no resistance to the USSR’s re-occupation of the Baltics and the large-scale deportation of Latvians to Siberia. Along with this, an estimated 300,000 Latvians (during the years of WW2) fled the country as refugees, further decimating the population. Latvia had lost nearly 1/5th of its population, and for the second time, it was part of the Soviet Union. Over half a million Russians were imported into the country as laborers, but also as administrators of public institutions. By 1952 Latvians made up only 54% of the population. Riga was 1/3 Latvian.
During this dark period, many Latvians lived double lives. To survive, they had to cooperate with the Communists. But in secret, they continued to guard Latvian language, culture and values.
Over 44,000 farmers were deported to Siberia, farms were collectivized, and by 1956 less than half of pre-occupation farmland was being cultivated. Families, however, were given small gardens, and though these gardens represented only 5% of cultivatable land, it was producing 66% of all vegetables in the country. In 1940, only 30% of Latvians were urbanized. But by 1980 it had grown to 70%. The neglect of Latvian farms combined with careless Soviet industry saw an increase in pollution, but also contributed to Latvia having one of the highest rates of alcoholism and suicide in Europe. Additionally, Communism created an atmosphere where corruption and dishonesty became commonplace.
By the 1980’s, cracks in the Soviet Union were beginning to appear. Nationalistic movements among the occupied nations began to grow. Once again, the Latvian resistance was expressed through literature, poetry, and music. In August 1989, two million Baltic men, women, and children formed a human chain from Tallinn, Estonia, through Riga, to Vilnius, Lithuania to “sing their way to freedom.” After a series of events, the Soviets finally had to recognize Latvia’s independent sovereignty on 6 September, 1991.
5 decades of Soviet occupation had left its leaders with an overwhelmingly complex situation. Nearly half the population was Russian, resulting in the difficult question of citizenship. For 50 years the government and economy had been centralized in Moscow, and overnight Latvia found itself a capitalistic country but with little infrastructure. “It is estimated that half the population lived at or below the official poverty level during these transition years.” Those who had been in power during the Communist time were best positioned to take advantage of the new situation, and corruption multiplied. In the absence of a strong, functioning government, oligarchs and mafia filled the void.
However, the new governments resisted the temptation to engage in punitive governing “to redress historic wrongs,” and began the work of rebuilding a nation. Latvia integrated in the European Union and NATO in 2004 to strengthen their defense against any resurgence of the Russian Empire. In spite of these gains, education and healthcare were behind the rest of Europe, though they’re improving each year. Latvia’s political system remains a complicated coalition of many parties. With freedom of movement within the European Union, many of Latvia’s young people have left to work in Scandinavia, Britain, Ireland, Spain, or other parts of Europe.
Latvia is now 102 years old, half of which has been spent under German or Russian occupation. Latvian resiliency in the face of occupations, forced and voluntary emigrations, and corruption is amazing. A strong culture and language has survived, and is a tremendous asset to the world. There is much we can learn from the peaceful determination of the Latvian people to protect their independence and identity.
December 13, 2024
Picked this up at the library, because I am adopted from Russia, and my birth mother is from Latvia. I have about 25% of my DNA coming from the Baltic region, meaning one of my grandparents is a native Latvian.
In an effort to learn more about the country, I feel quite informed! Latvia: A Short History is perfect for anyone who wants to know the nitty gritty of how this nation-state and 800-yearlong battle of becoming independent occurred. I was surprised to learn that most Latvians were enslaved as Russia and Germany fought over control of the land. I am even more surprised to know that I have native Latvian in me, especially since most original Latvians were deported to Siberia or thrown into concentration camps during the early 1900s.
My only short notice would be that the book does require a good bit of prior knowledge to reading. I had to look up a lot of terms and study the maps included quite vigorously. Just as a heads up!
The story of Latvia's independence is one that will always inspire me! Throughout the tribulations, Latvians culture and heritage persevered, and that is quite impressive. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history or of Eastern European/Baltic understanding. This really helped me get a good understanding of the absolute plight the citizens faced in that region.
December 26, 2024
Buen ejemplo para abrir los ojos y darse cuenta que el Este y espacio Post-soviético tiene una cultura muy diversa y rica, fuera de la hoz y el martillo.
El Báltico, desde hace unos años, es objeto de mi estudio y me fascina porque hasta hace poco lo tenía desubicado e ignorado. Tras poderlo visitar y conocerlo de primera mano, leer y observar; he descubierto un sinfín de tradiciones, culturas, pueblos resilientes al tiempo y muy diferentes a lo que conocemos. Runas, ámbar, lenguas bálticas, tradiciones transmitidas con cánticos, Teutones… Sorprende la transformación que ha vivido esta zona y la amenaza constante que ha tenido y hoy tiene.
Lo recomiendo a esa gente que quiere ir más allá que saberse las capitales de estos países (no solo LT, LV, EST sino Finlandia, Suecia y Polonia también son en parte Bálticos). Eso sí, antes haced un viaje o varios por la zona sino no entenderéis mucho este libro.
El Báltico, desde hace unos años, es objeto de mi estudio y me fascina porque hasta hace poco lo tenía desubicado e ignorado. Tras poderlo visitar y conocerlo de primera mano, leer y observar; he descubierto un sinfín de tradiciones, culturas, pueblos resilientes al tiempo y muy diferentes a lo que conocemos. Runas, ámbar, lenguas bálticas, tradiciones transmitidas con cánticos, Teutones… Sorprende la transformación que ha vivido esta zona y la amenaza constante que ha tenido y hoy tiene.
Lo recomiendo a esa gente que quiere ir más allá que saberse las capitales de estos países (no solo LT, LV, EST sino Finlandia, Suecia y Polonia también son en parte Bálticos). Eso sí, antes haced un viaje o varios por la zona sino no entenderéis mucho este libro.
September 2, 2021
What a lovely history! This wonderfully readable chronicle about Latvia and, by extension, the Baltics, presents events logically and remains true to the theme that culture and language unite a people despite the challenges to their identity they are presented with. It's clear Kalnins enjoyed writing this book, and the afterward is endearing. I also love that it's a history by a woman.
February 26, 2019
Thank you - from a Latvian's son
My father and his side of the family were Latvians. I did not ask about the history of where we came from nearly as much as I should have. This book opened up my eyes to how little I know, and how much more I want to learn!
My father and his side of the family were Latvians. I did not ask about the history of where we came from nearly as much as I should have. This book opened up my eyes to how little I know, and how much more I want to learn!
February 4, 2023
This book takes the reader on a journey from the Narva and the Nemunas peoples and their intermingling with the Kurgans to become the Proto-Balts, the distant ancestor of the present day Latvian people, ruled over and oppressed for decades by both Germans and Russians; they struggled to free themselves from years of serfdom, but they remained true to themselves.
Attested to by the beautiful Dainas - “voices that sing from the other side of a dense forest of time” telling of an “accumulated experience and collective wisdom of a unique community.”
As with many chronicles of a country some sections engage this reader more than others and like all journeys some sections are a little tedious, but all were informative. I especially liked reading of the Dainas and I look forward to visiting this small but quietly feisty determined country this year.
“The ancient Baltic world embraced a concern for the well being of the land and the heavens and fostered a sense of kinship and reciprocity between humanity, the natural world and the realm of the spirit.”
July 2, 2019
My mother and maternal grandparents (my grandmother fleeing Soviet forces in 1944) are Latvian and I have always strongly-identified with the Latvian heritage and culture.
This book is a wonderful record of the history, trials and tribulations of Latvia and surrounding Baltic regions and as a result is one that I will always treasure.
This book is a wonderful record of the history, trials and tribulations of Latvia and surrounding Baltic regions and as a result is one that I will always treasure.
November 18, 2020
This book tells the history of Latvia and the surrounding Baltic states from earliest times to the present. It gives just the right amount of detail so that the uninformed reader can quickly grasp the main historical events and the reasons for them, thereby giving the opportunity for a more nuanced understanding of present day social and political life in Latvia and the Baltic region.
August 1, 2024
It did what it said on the tin, and then some. A remarkable tale of a nation told over eight thousand years and with a real sense of its enduring character. As an aside, as a non-Latvian, I had never heard of Bishop Albert of Riga before, nor his conquest of Livonia, but it is an astonishing story, and one of many to be found in this book.
February 9, 2025
Perfect introduction to Latvia ahead of an upcoming trip to Riga. Accessible and just the right amount of detail, covering not only the history of Latvia, but also its traditions and cultures. Ideal pre-read
May 10, 2018
(Review to be added soon)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2020
Very well researched book by Mara Kalnins!
August 22, 2023
Engaging history with a beautiful ending of a European country in search of its identity and self-determination.
March 4, 2024
An excellent survey of several thousand years of Latvian - and Baltic - history. Professionally written and profoundly moving, the themes of resistance and survival permeate this work as Dr. Kalnins explores how Latvian language and culture survived 800 years of almost continuous and brutal occupation. As is always the case with broad, diachronic historical surveys, nuance must give way to overview. And in some cases it’s possible that the author’s sympathies come through, for example in the uncomplicated presentation of the career of Kārlis Ulmanis. This does not diminish the book. It is an excellent introduction to Latvian history.
April 12, 2017
This must be the best history of Latvia available. A good length (no 700 page Penguin history this) coupled with engaging writing and a clear understanding of the subject matter. My only complaint is that the pre-history and early history sections are too academic (lots of discussion of the evidence etc) and take up too much space compared to the far shorter but more engaging modern sections (though I appreciate this stems from my lack of interest in detailed analysis of such early history). From Bishop Albert (13th century) and on, however, the book really picks up pace and drops the more technical detail in favour of an engaging narrative that expertly paints a picture of the area now called Latvia. A must read for anyone going to the country.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews