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Cambridge Concise Histories
A Concise History of Bulgaria
Richard Crampton presents a general introduction to Bulgaria at the cross-roads of Christendom and Islam. This concise history traces the country's growth from pre-history, through its days as the center of a powerful medieval empire and five centuries of Ottoman rule, to the political upheavals of the twentieth century which led to three wars. It highlights 1995 to 2004, a vital period during which Bulgaria endured financial meltdown, set itself seriously on the road to reform, elected its former King as prime minister, and finally secured membership in NATO and admission to the European Union. First Edition Hb (1997) 0-521-56183-3 First Edition Pb (1997) 0-521-56719-X
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
54 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
About the author
R.J. Crampton
8 books5 followersA specialist in the history of Bulgaria and the Balkans, Richard Crampton is a Fellow of St. Edmund College, Oxford, where he taught from 1967 until his retirement as professor of East European history in 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 15, 2021
I read this book because my son's girlfriend is from Bulgaria and I didn't know much about the country. I got it from her for Christmas. I learned some things like the Balkan Mountains are in Bulgaria, it is at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and the capitol is Sofia. It has changed its borders many times and its history was a little hard to follow since I knew so little about it before I read it and because it always seemed to.be at the mercy of its neighbors like Turkey and Russia. I will probably have to read it again. I did learn that family is very important to Bulgarians and it is important to me too.
May 19, 2025
“A Concise History of Bulgaria”—a title that sounds almost innocuous, as if it promises an effortless, bite-sized understanding of an entire nation's complex and tumultuous history. But don't let that "concise" fool you—it conceals layers of history that pulse with pain, longing, and injustice, all of which are brushed aside in favor of a more sanitized narrative. While Crampton’s book is undeniably an ambitious attempt to catalog the rise and fall of Bulgaria through political upheavals and war, its narrow focus on elite power dynamics leaves something vital unspoken: the voices of the people who have lived through and against these tides of history.
The title itself signals the paradox at play—what is gained in brevity is lost in nuance. Crampton’s meticulous cataloging of political regimes and their leaders—imperial rulers, communist dictators, and post-communist oligarchs—may be methodical, but in his rush to present an unyielding timeline of power, he fails to explore the lives of the oppressed, the silenced, the common folk whose struggles form the backbone of the nation’s real history. Where is the blood, the sweat, the soul of the people who bore the brunt of political and economic transformation? What is the cost of revolution when it only serves to replace one authoritarian regime with another?
In the absence of such perspectives, the book falters in its most critical dimension: the lived experience of ordinary Bulgarians. The absence of detailed accounts of those whose lives were marked by the consequences of these grand historical movements, particularly the marginalization of ethnic minorities, the working class, and the rural poor, robs the narrative of its soul. Crampton's work is a history of structures, not of the individuals who clung to survival within them. His dry descriptions of shifting borders and political ideologies become a mere backdrop to an emptiness that echoes with the absence of voices that matter most.
The book's reliance on a top-down perspective leaves a gaping hole in its analysis of power. Crampton presents the familiar faces of tyrants and politicians—Todor Zhivkov, Ivan Asen II, and others—as the forces that define Bulgaria's course. But what of the people who resisted, who fought back in the shadows, whose names we will never know? What of the countless struggles of the everyday Bulgarian who, in the face of communism’s promises and the brutality of fascism, found no avenue to challenge the forces that controlled their lives? These silenced histories—of workers, peasants, and intellectuals who dared to question the mold—are what make a nation real. They are the heartbeat of a people who lived and died under regimes of violence, and they are nowhere to be found in Crampton’s concise pages.
Furthermore, Crampton’s retelling offers little to no consideration of the long-term societal trauma inflicted by Bulgaria’s authoritarian past. The psyche of a nation, shaped by the echoes of Stalinism and the weight of Ottoman rule, is not merely a function of its political elite—it’s embedded in the bodies, minds, and memories of its people. When the book reduces Bulgarian history to a series of political shifts, it neglects the mental and emotional toll that living through such oppressive regimes extracts. Crampton’s history does not feel real; it feels distant, as if it were written for a future where the personal consequences of past atrocities are no longer felt.
By relegating the everyday citizen to the periphery, Crampton's history of Bulgaria misses its chance to be a deeply human account. In focusing only on the macro forces of politics and ideology, it leaves a hollow, clinical space where human agency, resistance, and sorrow should reside. Yet, even as the book critiques power, it inadvertently reinforces the same systems of exclusion that silenced those who dared to live outside the rigid constraints of their times.
In the end, A Concise History of Bulgaria feels more like a product of its own intellectual conventions than an invitation to critically engage with the lived realities of its people. A work that may suit scholars seeking a historical framework, it offers little to those who yearn for a deeper understanding of how ordinary lives intertwine with the tides of history. It leaves a reader hungry, not for more facts, but for the missing stories that Crampton chooses to overlook—the stories that make history come alive.
The title itself signals the paradox at play—what is gained in brevity is lost in nuance. Crampton’s meticulous cataloging of political regimes and their leaders—imperial rulers, communist dictators, and post-communist oligarchs—may be methodical, but in his rush to present an unyielding timeline of power, he fails to explore the lives of the oppressed, the silenced, the common folk whose struggles form the backbone of the nation’s real history. Where is the blood, the sweat, the soul of the people who bore the brunt of political and economic transformation? What is the cost of revolution when it only serves to replace one authoritarian regime with another?
In the absence of such perspectives, the book falters in its most critical dimension: the lived experience of ordinary Bulgarians. The absence of detailed accounts of those whose lives were marked by the consequences of these grand historical movements, particularly the marginalization of ethnic minorities, the working class, and the rural poor, robs the narrative of its soul. Crampton's work is a history of structures, not of the individuals who clung to survival within them. His dry descriptions of shifting borders and political ideologies become a mere backdrop to an emptiness that echoes with the absence of voices that matter most.
The book's reliance on a top-down perspective leaves a gaping hole in its analysis of power. Crampton presents the familiar faces of tyrants and politicians—Todor Zhivkov, Ivan Asen II, and others—as the forces that define Bulgaria's course. But what of the people who resisted, who fought back in the shadows, whose names we will never know? What of the countless struggles of the everyday Bulgarian who, in the face of communism’s promises and the brutality of fascism, found no avenue to challenge the forces that controlled their lives? These silenced histories—of workers, peasants, and intellectuals who dared to question the mold—are what make a nation real. They are the heartbeat of a people who lived and died under regimes of violence, and they are nowhere to be found in Crampton’s concise pages.
Furthermore, Crampton’s retelling offers little to no consideration of the long-term societal trauma inflicted by Bulgaria’s authoritarian past. The psyche of a nation, shaped by the echoes of Stalinism and the weight of Ottoman rule, is not merely a function of its political elite—it’s embedded in the bodies, minds, and memories of its people. When the book reduces Bulgarian history to a series of political shifts, it neglects the mental and emotional toll that living through such oppressive regimes extracts. Crampton’s history does not feel real; it feels distant, as if it were written for a future where the personal consequences of past atrocities are no longer felt.
By relegating the everyday citizen to the periphery, Crampton's history of Bulgaria misses its chance to be a deeply human account. In focusing only on the macro forces of politics and ideology, it leaves a hollow, clinical space where human agency, resistance, and sorrow should reside. Yet, even as the book critiques power, it inadvertently reinforces the same systems of exclusion that silenced those who dared to live outside the rigid constraints of their times.
In the end, A Concise History of Bulgaria feels more like a product of its own intellectual conventions than an invitation to critically engage with the lived realities of its people. A work that may suit scholars seeking a historical framework, it offers little to those who yearn for a deeper understanding of how ordinary lives intertwine with the tides of history. It leaves a reader hungry, not for more facts, but for the missing stories that Crampton chooses to overlook—the stories that make history come alive.
October 28, 2018
This is the sort of book I expect very people to read for fun, but is precisely the sort of book I read for fun. Although I am by no means an expert on the history of Bulgaria [1], its history is a subject of interest to me and it is a place I would like to travel eventually. There is a certain degree of poignancy in the situation of Bulgaria, from its prehistory with early cities that were destroyed leaving no written records of their inhabitants or how they lived or what they thought, to its position as a border region for the Greeks, Romans, Byzantine Empire, even up to Cold War politics, to its struggle to regain territory lost through previous wars and to get along with its neighbors. There is a great deal in Bulgarian history that is deeply intriguing and highly melancholy, and that sort of concern for a territory on the edge with a history it is bravely (if so far vainly) trying to overcome is precisely the sort of thing that would strike me of interest, and so even though this is an obscure work, it is definitely one I appreciated reading.
This particular volume is concise at around 250 pages or so, and is divided into nine chapters. After a list of illustrations, preface in which the author wishes he had more space to write, and a note on the book's transliteration, the book, aside from two appendices that show Bulgarian monarchs and prime ministers, respectively, and suggestions for further reading and an index, contains nine chapters. The author begins with a very brief survey of the Bulgarian lands from pre-history to the arrival of the Bulgarians (1), before spending twice as much space talking about medieval Bulgaria's history up to the Ottoman conquest (2). After that there is a discussion of Ottoman rule and its horrors and problems (3) before the national revival and liberation of Bulgaria in the late 19th century (4). After this there is a discussion of the consolidation of the Bulgarian state (5), the personal rule of King Ferdinand that concluded with a disastrous defeat in World War I (6), Bulgaria in the interwar period and during World War II where it also found itself on the losing side (7), before a history of Bulgaria under communist rule (8) and the post-Communist period up to the book's writing (9).
Bulgaria's history has a profoundly melancholy edge that is important to realize. During its entire history it has found itself looked down upon by its neighbors in Greece and Anatolia, frequently under some sort of foreign domination, and had its distinctive culture denied by others. It has sought to return to some sort of past glory only to find itself frequently politically divided and unable to bring its greater ethnic area under its rule. It has sought to be free of foreign domination only to find itself unable to provide for the well-being of its people and deeply divided internally between town and country, right and left, and more centralizing and regionally focused tendencies. Although this book certainly focuses a lot on matters of political (and to a lesser extent military) history, there is still a lot here to appreciate for those who want to know the struggles and difficulties and triumphs of the Bulgarian people through centuries of difficulty and frequent misadventures by their rulers, who appear far more ambitious than their nation's modest economic and demographic strength would apparently justify. If you want a short volume to read about the history of an obscure European nation, this book will definitely do the trick nicely.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
This particular volume is concise at around 250 pages or so, and is divided into nine chapters. After a list of illustrations, preface in which the author wishes he had more space to write, and a note on the book's transliteration, the book, aside from two appendices that show Bulgarian monarchs and prime ministers, respectively, and suggestions for further reading and an index, contains nine chapters. The author begins with a very brief survey of the Bulgarian lands from pre-history to the arrival of the Bulgarians (1), before spending twice as much space talking about medieval Bulgaria's history up to the Ottoman conquest (2). After that there is a discussion of Ottoman rule and its horrors and problems (3) before the national revival and liberation of Bulgaria in the late 19th century (4). After this there is a discussion of the consolidation of the Bulgarian state (5), the personal rule of King Ferdinand that concluded with a disastrous defeat in World War I (6), Bulgaria in the interwar period and during World War II where it also found itself on the losing side (7), before a history of Bulgaria under communist rule (8) and the post-Communist period up to the book's writing (9).
Bulgaria's history has a profoundly melancholy edge that is important to realize. During its entire history it has found itself looked down upon by its neighbors in Greece and Anatolia, frequently under some sort of foreign domination, and had its distinctive culture denied by others. It has sought to return to some sort of past glory only to find itself frequently politically divided and unable to bring its greater ethnic area under its rule. It has sought to be free of foreign domination only to find itself unable to provide for the well-being of its people and deeply divided internally between town and country, right and left, and more centralizing and regionally focused tendencies. Although this book certainly focuses a lot on matters of political (and to a lesser extent military) history, there is still a lot here to appreciate for those who want to know the struggles and difficulties and triumphs of the Bulgarian people through centuries of difficulty and frequent misadventures by their rulers, who appear far more ambitious than their nation's modest economic and demographic strength would apparently justify. If you want a short volume to read about the history of an obscure European nation, this book will definitely do the trick nicely.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
March 30, 2025
I wish this book had been titled “A Concise Political History of Bulgaria. I was really hoping to read a book that would teach me about Bulgaria as a country - the arts and its culture, religious beliefs, education, architecture and city development. And give me a better understanding of life within the Ottoman Empire.
Instead, it is a book (save a random paragraph here and there) about the political structures of Bulgaria over the centuries. It’s leaders and wars and leaders and more leaders.
I believe it’s probably a good read for someone who is looking for a political timeline. But it does have a lot of typos and some misprints - so I’m not sure about the editorial process.
Instead, it is a book (save a random paragraph here and there) about the political structures of Bulgaria over the centuries. It’s leaders and wars and leaders and more leaders.
I believe it’s probably a good read for someone who is looking for a political timeline. But it does have a lot of typos and some misprints - so I’m not sure about the editorial process.
August 29, 2011
Read before/during trip to Bulgaria. Useful introduction to Bulgarian history, written in a transparent style. I kind of lost interest with all the political stuff -- X trying to get rid of Y, and parties A, B, C and their struggles -- but you did kind of have to know it to make sense of the history, I guess. Anyway, definitely helped give me an idea of what had been going on in the region, and it was a lot less dry than I thought it would be.
October 25, 2023
I don't know that any history of a sovereign nation can truly be "concise", but Crampton gives it a solid try. From the pre-medieval Bulgarian territory, right up to its early 21st century admission to the EU, this history tracks the country, its people, its frequent dependence on Russia, and eventual strides to proper independence and economic stability.
I read this for context on a Bulgarian poet that I'm studying, and it certainly feels like at the very least, that knowledge has been gained.
I read this for context on a Bulgarian poet that I'm studying, and it certainly feels like at the very least, that knowledge has been gained.
July 20, 2015
Don't really understand all the bad reviews for this one, but it is a very interesting read. Obviously something a bit too simplistic about events, but that why it's a 'concise history'. Anyway, what to catch up on your Bulgarian knowledge? This is a good start!
August 9, 2025
I am a scholar of East Central Europe, and Bulgaria falls just outside region. I read this to sharpen my knowledge of Bulgarian history as a relevant neighboring area. So I can't offer informed insights or criticisms, but I learned a lot. Crampton tends to keep to the political history with some social history, the discussion of culture is there but not so nearly present as in Keith Hitchen's contribution to this same series focused on Romania, which is sad since we hear about Bulgaria having a rich literary history dating from well before the modern era. Still, Crampton's book is definitely informative. I now finally understand the reasons why the Macedonia issue became so pressing in Bulgaria in the nineteenth century. The later narrative covers the interwar, the communist period, and post-communist era clearly and effectively.
September 9, 2024
Авторът е направил амбициозен опит да представи цялата българска история в няколко стотин страници. Една изключително непосилна задача за когото и да и историк, особено за Западните, които имам известни проблеми с разбирането на Балканската история. Четивото е повърхностно в много отношения, но въпреки това може да обрисува една обща картина на основните събития в страната.
Книгата на Р. К. е полезна дотолкова, че да предостави базови знания, които за човек, който тепърва започва да се интересува от история може да бъде доста полезна. Отделно, събитията са представени през призмата на западен мислител и е интересно да проследим каква е представата им за нас.
Определено обаче, труда не заслужава 4 звезди, но не заслужава и 3, обективната оценка според мен е 3,5.
Книгата на Р. К. е полезна дотолкова, че да предостави базови знания, които за човек, който тепърва започва да се интересува от история може да бъде доста полезна. Отделно, събитията са представени през призмата на западен мислител и е интересно да проследим каква е представата им за нас.
Определено обаче, труда не заслужава 4 звезди, но не заслужава и 3, обективната оценка според мен е 3,5.
May 23, 2018
I really wonderful attempt to sum up Bulgarian history in 243 pages which for the most part succeeds in it's attempt.
It is well written and easy to follow, but it is recommended to have Wikipedia on hand to fill in the blanks where necessary. The core work stretches from early human occupation right through to the past decade.
The book also features lots of photos and pictures to add context to the text.
Not the most comprehensive history in the world, but highly recommended for those wanting simple history of a fascinating country.
It is well written and easy to follow, but it is recommended to have Wikipedia on hand to fill in the blanks where necessary. The core work stretches from early human occupation right through to the past decade.
The book also features lots of photos and pictures to add context to the text.
Not the most comprehensive history in the world, but highly recommended for those wanting simple history of a fascinating country.
December 17, 2020
As promised in the title, it is a concise overview of Bulgaria's history. There is much detail left out, of course, but it does provide an outline on which the deeper story can be added through further reading. One negative is, that this history is of its general, political advance through the centuries with very little description of the changes to the character of the peoples, both Bulgarians and others, who have performed these acts of history.
April 22, 2019
Agree with other reviewers. Lots of information packed in here. I wish I could remember it all, but with so many names and such a complex history, it was hard just to remember from one page to the next. What I do retain, however, is quite valuable, and overall, the history seems to explain why Bulgarians are the way they are, in general. But isn't that true of all nations?
August 6, 2018
Really nice read.
February 28, 2021
Good book
June 11, 2022
Very well written overview, with a particular emphasis on the modern era (since Bulgarian revival) in the mid 1800s.
May 4, 2023
Maybe it's a bit too short in the pre-indipendence history and too long in the various government squabbles. Also the style is a bit too synthetic in my opinion. Still a good reading.
April 13, 2012
The version I read was updated about 6 or 7 years ago.
A decent if dry political history of Bulgaria for the general reader. I would have liked more on social or cultural topics but alas that wasn't the author's mission here.
Recommended but it's not exactly a riveting read. Just the facts in a straightforward and coherent narrative.
A decent if dry political history of Bulgaria for the general reader. I would have liked more on social or cultural topics but alas that wasn't the author's mission here.
Recommended but it's not exactly a riveting read. Just the facts in a straightforward and coherent narrative.
January 28, 2010
Drudging at certain points, but quite informative. This book accomplishes exactly what it's meant to accomplish: Provide a concise history of the country.
June 7, 2010
Dry but full of delicious, delicious facts.
March 30, 2017
Admirably clear, and — indeed — concise. The original edition (which is what I read first) was written in 1997 and is inevitably dated. Happily, I was able to access a digital version the second edition through my alma mater, and was thus able to continue the story through such important events as the Kostov and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha government (the latter of which must be one of the more improbable political events of the Post-Communist era, seeing the former Tsar Simeon II return as a democratic politician, governing through liberal coalition with a party representing the Turkish minority), and the entry into Nato and the EU.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews