The Baltic: A History

The eighteenth century economic boom in the Baltic Region was one for the ages.

The book is required for a class that I'm taking at Harvard. The first two thirds of the book consists of endless detail related to the tribes and ancient cities of the Baltic area and the Hanseatic trading league. The last third was fine as it describes events of the last 100 years or so which as a non-scholar was much more interesting to me then the sleep inducing first two thirds.

For someone who considered himself quite well versed in European history, this was full of new insights and many surprising changes of fortune for the entities that stubbornly held on to language and customs through virtual disappearances into neighboring powers only to reemerge as independent countries with well defined languages and deeply embedded customs and cultures. Perhaps a similar fate will occur in the Middle East countries that are are similarly fractured today.

Fascinating reading. I knew the Baltic area had a long history, but this book delves into more detailed history. Very interesting reading.

This is a very detailed book and was just more information than what I needed. A history major would appreciate it. It was recommended to me to read before my trip to the Baltic Sea

Straightforward history. Larger maps more frequently might have made a better reference.

Very academic. Good information but difficult slog

Comprehensive.

excellent

As a document of historical content it is certainly documented history. If I had the time I read it ten times.

History Knowlegde

best book i never read. almost even met the author at a seminar about it. had a course requiring this and the uni bookstore never had it come in. if the book is anything like what it was like in the course it will be incredibly detailed and a lot of work.

‘Geography is 9 tenths of history’ is a truism and the Baltic both separates and connects. North does a good job of getting around the circuit of nations and states that have had a Baltic shore. Economic, political and cultural developments are given equal space in the treatment of each state/nation/subregion in each time period. We are availed of many interesting details for comparison between countries and beyond. The work is accessible, comprehensive, scholarly and judicious in its evaluation of events.