Ukraine

Stretching across a territory about as large as Germany and Great Britain combined, or Arizona and New Mexico together, Ukraine holds the distinction of being the second-biggest country in Europe. Its borders touch seven neighboring states, and in 2001 it was home to just over 48 million people. This richly illustrated book offers a brief, accessible account of the nation's history, starting from the earliest periods and running up to the present day.

The volume is organized into forty-six chapters, each introduced by a historical map that lays out the main developments of its period or theme. Over 300 historic photographs, line drawings, portraits, and images of books and artworks help bring the country's past into view. Author Paul Robert Magocsi, a historian at the University of Toronto who has written widely on East Central Europe, does not focus only on ethnic Ukrainians, who form the largest group. Instead, he gives equal attention to the many other peoples who have lived within Ukraine's present-day borders, including Russians, Poles, Jews, Crimean Tatars, Germans (among them Mennonites), and Greeks.

The book is intended as a reference for specialists in European regional and Slavic studies. It will also suit general readers who want straightforward information on Ukraine's political, economic, and cultural history.