The Middle Kingdoms

“Rady deftly unravels the strands of a long and complex past to show Central Europe as both a battle zone of often hideous violence and a medieval cradle of Western democracy.” —Wall Street Journal

“A magisterial history.” —Peter Frankopan, Spectator

“This is a very impressive book, quirkily original but also scholarly and authoritative, to be read for pleasure and serious reflection.” —Daily Telegraph

“Popular academic history at its best.”—Ivan Krastev, Financial Times

“A masterly synthesis.” —Times (of London)

“[Rady's] history is full of stories and vignettes, personalities and ideas rather than grand theses. The result, built on a lifetime of scholarship and vast reading in multiple languages, vividly conveys the complexities and multi-faceted nature of central Europe.”—BBC History Magazine

“A repeatedly rewarding study…This book deserves attention.” —New Criterion

"A tour de force of two thousand years…a brisk and stimulating introduction to [Central Europe’s] history.” —Washington Free Beacon

“A sparkling, witty, elegantly-written and deeply erudite book.” —The Critic

“A comprehensive approach to a subject as rich as it is complex…of service to everyman and specialists alike.” —Aspects of History

"Excellent."—Marginal Revolution

“An astonishing book…an authoritative scholarly account…Anecdotes, colorful stories and quotations, as well as the constant presence of Rady’s wise and engaging voice make this a rare book…This is an unparalleled resource for anyone concerned about the future of Europe and the history of its nations.”—Library Journal, starred review

“An ambitious survey of Central Europe from antiquity to the present day…evocative prose renders this complex history accessible. It’s a boon for anyone seeking insights into Central Europe’s influence on the modern world.” —Publishers Weekly