Reviews (1)

Required Reading
I was not sure what to expect from this book. I had not read any Latvian Jewish histories or memoirs. I found this book thoroughly interested and informative. The discussion about Jewish life in Kurzeme (Courland/Kurland) was enjoyable. I learned a part of history that was not covered in my Latvian Saturday classes.Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern Europe - General    2. Ethnic relations    3. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Jewish - General    8. Jews    9. Latvia    10. Language Arts & Disciplines / Journalism   

Reviews (11)

Compelling
Others have argued the authenticity of Ms. Nesaule's account of life in the concentration camps; indeed, the author herself voices her own uncertainty of her story, confessing to much she has forgotten. Still, it is a story worth reading. American born, I've never found myself, or even thought to imagine myself, in a situation where I have feared for my life and the lives of my family. Woman in Amber
The families of both of my parents fled Latvia and the invading Russians when my parents were young. This book actually is what got my mother and me talking about her childhood in Latvia and in the DP camps, so in that sense, it is a very important book.Everyone I've ever talked to, though, has had the same general opinion of Ms. Nesaule's book -- she exaggerates a bit.She makes things up.She does say this in the introduction: "I have forgotten some things..." This book leaves a good -impression- of what life was like, but it should not be read as Gospel.

One Woman's War - Transcends All Borders
Being of Latvian heritage myself, perhaps it is impossible for me to read Nesaule's book as anyone else of a different heritage might. I have grown up on stories that are but variations on a theme to this one. My first language was Latvian, my first book was Latvian, my own first efforts in creative writing were in the Latvian language. Indeed, I have just participated in a literary reading of Latvian authors at the 11th Latvian Song Festival in Chicago, Illinois, where I had the honor of sharing the podium with Agate Nesaule. Is it possible for me to turn the pages of "Woman in Amber" without a deeply ingrained bias? Perhaps not. But I can say that these pages, these words, these memories, resonated profoundly with me. The war experience in many ways, however, is a suffering and a horror that crosses all lines of ethnicity, all borders of nationality. For this reason, I believe this is an important account for a far larger audience than just the Latvian reader; I am thrilled that this book was written first in English, then translated into, I believe, seven other languages. Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Cultural assimilation    5. Historical - General    6. Latvian Americans    7. Refugees    8. Social Science    9. United States    10. Women    11. Women's Studies - General    12. Biography: general    13. Social Science / Women's Studies   

Subjects:  1. Annexation (International law)    2. Autonomy and independence move    3. Baltic States    4. Dismemberment of states    5. History    6. International    7. International status    8. Law    9. Legal Reference / Law Profession    10. Estonia    11. European history: postwar, from c 1945 -    12. Finland    13. Latvia    14. Lithuania    15. Political structure & processes    16. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000   

Reviews (1)

Life in a Small Country Between Germany and Russia
Latvia is a small country on the Baltic that has the disadvantage of being a tiny country inbetween two giant and agressive military powers, Germany and Russia. After having a very difficult time during World War I, Latvia became as an independent country in 1921.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Baltic States    2. German occupation, 1941-1944    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Latvia    6. Military    7. Military - World War II    8. Soviet occupation, 1940-1941    9. World War, 1939-1945    10. European history: Second World War    11. History / Baltic States    12. LATVIA_HISTORY    13. Second World War, 1939-1945    14. WORLD WAR, 1939-1945_EUROPE   

Reviews (1)

The Baltics in the 20th century
This book will help you to better understand Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, which have remarkably different personalities, although often collectively referred to as the Baltics. The countries are treated separately, as they deserve to be, illustrating their individual ambitions, which are often at odds to each other. Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Former Soviet Republics    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Modern - General    7. Estonia    8. Latvia    9. Lithuania    10. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    11. Political Science / General    12. Political geography   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Europe - General    4. General    5. History    6. History: World    7. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    8. Jewish Holocaust Personal Narratives    9. Jews    10. Latvia    11. Personal narratives    12. History / Europe / General   

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Hand weaving    3. History    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Latvia    6. Patterns    7. Textile fabrics    8. Weaving    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Weaving    10. Spinning & weaving   

Subjects:  1. Archives    2. Baltic States    3. Belarus    4. Bibliography    5. Directories    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Library & Information Science    9. Russia (pre & post Soviet Union)    10. Libraries & information centres   

Subjects:  1. 1918-1940    2. Baltic States    3. Estonia    4. Europe - Baltic States    5. Foreign relations    6. History    7. History: World    8. International Relations - General    9. Latvia    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    12. International relations    13. Lithuania    14. Second World War, 1939-1945   

Subjects:  1. Baltic States    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational change    5. European Union countries    6. General    7. History    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Relations    10. Estonia    11. Latvia    12. Lithuania   

Reviews (3)

Second in the series
This book is the follow-up to Turnbull's equally strong work on the Teutonic Knights and their castles in Prussia. The book nicely covers the history of the coming of Christianity to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and the resultant need of an armed force to protect the clergy. The cut away drawings of a Convent Castle, Riga Castle and a Gun Tower are excellent. My only gripe is that this book, easily, could have been incorporated into the first volume. It only has 60 pages of real informational content.

An overview of the history of the Teutonic Knights in the Latvia/Estonia region
"Crusader Castles of the Teutonic Knights (2): The Stone Castles of Latvia and Estonia 1185-1560" by Stephen Trunbull is the companion volume to his work on the Teutonic castles in Prussia.Each volume deals neatly with its own geographic region and history, so it is not exactly a sequel, but this book definitely is recommended to those that are looking for more history on the Teutonic Order.The history of the Teutonic Knights in the Latvia/Estonia region was noticeably different from Prussia.The Teutonic Knights actually moved into and took over the castles established by another religious crusader order called the Swordbrothers.
History of an area that is not usually covered
This book takes up were the first book on "Crusader Castles of the Teutonic Knights" left off, moving from Prussia to Latvia and Estonia and moving along the time line from 1185-1560.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Baltic States    2. History    3. History - General History    4. Medieval    5. Military    6. Military - General    7. Castles    8. Europe    9. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    10. European history: c 500 to c 1500    11. History / Military / General    12. Warfare & Defence    13. c 1000 CE to c 1500    14. c 1500 to c 1600   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Estonia    4. European    5. Feminism and art    6. History - General    7. Interviews    8. Russia (Federation)    9. Women artists    10. Women's Studies - General    11. Women's Studies - History    12. Art styles: c 1960 -    13. Eastern Europe    14. Latvia    15. Russia    16. The Arts: General Issues    17. Women's studies   

Reviews (6)

Solid and opinionated, landmark of the era
This well-written, confident and elegantly worded book will not be the guidebook to the Baltics of today, but this is not why you would be picking this book in this day and age. 'The Baltic Revolution' is now firmly a part of the shelf looking at history - albeit a recent one, but history nevertheless. Dated but good introduction to the Baltics
Unfortunately, this book is now badly dated.So much has happened in the wake of the 91 revolution that the Baltic countries look much different than those Lieven presents in this book. However, his telling of the revolution and some of the events that led up to it provide the reader with a good background into the re-emergence of the Baltic nations. Something for everyone?!
This book is a good view of the path to the Baltic's 2nd Republic. The author gives a good account of what transpired in the Baltic republics during the late 80's and early 90's, when this book was written. He was living there and reports firsthand the events that transpired.Read more

Subjects:  1. Baltic States    2. Europe - Baltic States    3. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Baltic Sea    8. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    9. History / Russia (pre- & post-Soviet Union)   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Armed Forces    3. Collaborationists    4. Europe    5. Europe - Germany    6. Germany    7. History    8. History - General History    9. Military History - World War II    10. Uniforms    11. World War, 1939-1945    12. Land forces & warfare    13. Second World War, 1939-1945    14. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (1)

Less Than Objective
The author wants the book to be a memorial to all Jews that died on Latvian soil. In the "Preface to the English Edition," the author claims that Latvians, on the whole, are totally anti-Semitic. However, the origins of such beliefs cannot be determined. The author believes this to be true of the Latvians, during pre-WWII Latvia and the new Latvia of the 1990's. I wonder if things are so black and white.Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern Europe - General    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Holocaust    6. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    7. Jewish - General    8. Jews    9. Latvia    10. Military - World War II    11. Persecutions    12. Personal narratives    13. Riga    14. Råiga    15. European history: Second World War    16. History / Holocaust    17. Jewish studies    18. Second World War, 1939-1945    19. The Holocaust   

Reviews (4)

A Story to be Continued
This is a nice book. It is well written and very informative. There are notes and a 19 page bibliography. This book is part of historiography on Latvia and the Latvians. Most historical writings can be divided as: the interwar period; post WW2 emigre writings; post WW2 Latvian SSR writings; and post 1991 writings. A highly recommend and professional work.
Unlike most significant histories of Latvia to date (with Bilmanis' seminal work of 1951 being arguably the most important in English), this one is written by a professional historian - and it shows. In addition, the end of the Cold War has facilitated a dispassionate yet well informed account of Latvia's history, so far totally unavailable to my knowledge. Prof. Plakans' insights have helped me to clarify, in my mind, things which did not quite make sense up until now. Just what Latvia needed...
Latvian history is so often flawed with political ideology, personnal opinion or blatant ignorance.This is one of the only qualitative objective academic works out there.There is no better review of Latvianhistory.Even if Plakans himself is a Latvian WWII refugee, his lifeexperience and opinions (whatever they might be) do not seem to color histext.Plakans' book however will not provide readers with profoundanalysis or long-winded dicussions of political regimes, cultural movementsor wartime strategies.It is a simple but thourough review of the eventsand facts that lead Latvia and the Latvians to their contemporary position,politically, economically, socially and culturally.A recommended, qualityread for anyone wanting to learn more about the Latvians. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern Europe - General    2. Europe - Baltic States    3. Europe - Former Soviet Republics    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Latvia   

Reviews (1)

Redemption and omission
While there can be no question as to the veracity of my cousin Boris' account of his Holocaust expereince, I found it curious that he makes no mention of my father, Julius Dalkoff. Boris' wife, Tamara, has gone on at great length as to how Julius helped bring them to the states after the liberation. Jacob is mentioned--even his wife Ethel. But not Julius.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1921-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Historical - Holocaust    5. History    6. History: World    7. Holocaust    8. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    9. Jewish Holocaust Personal Narratives    10. Jews    11. Kacel, Boris,    12. Latvia    13. Personal narratives    14. Råiga    15. Europe    16. European history: Second World War    17. Jewish studies    18. Kacel, Boris    19. Oral history    20. The Holocaust   

Reviews (1)

A hard but unbiased look--frank, thorough and surprising
Ezergailis' account of holocaust in Latvia is based on his analysis of German, Latvian, and Soviet sources, the latter just made available when he wrote his book.He describes the position of the Jews in pre War Latvia,the attitude of the government toward the Jews, and the rise ofantisemitism in certain segments of what was then "a Jewish friendlystate."Ezegailis also details the fate of the Jews in soberingpassages in which he names those responsible for their deaths.He analyzeshow the Nazis used their propaganda to enlist Latvian participation andwhere this worked.He also discusses how the Soviets used a similar lineto discredit Latvian nationalists and ironically, how many AmericanLatvians bought those arguments.To paraphrase the author, the Jews andthe Latvians were stuck between two devils.The Latvians chose one;theJews chose another.Read more

Subjects:  1. Ethnic relations    2. History: World    3. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    4. Jews    5. Latvia    6. Persecutions   

Reviews (3)

Vivat The Commonwealth!
Polish Hussars, Crafty Lithuanian Dukes, Mad Danish Kings, Gay Swedish Boy Kings, Patient and Lethal Muscovites, Prussian Electors and Lettish and Estonian Barons fill the pages of this seminal and erudite work of history. I can only echo the other reviews of this fine work of well researched, and enjoyably written history. For any and all interested in the histories of any of the nations taking part in the "Struggle for the North" you simply can't do better than this excellent study. Despite its hefty price tag (I got it for less some years ago) it IS worth it. Long Live the Commonwealth!

An erudite collection of essays.
This book is a collection of discrete essays on the theme of the Baltic or Northern wars.In the period following the end of the crusading in the Baltic region four key players emerged to contend for control of the crusader states.These were Sweden, Denmark, Russia and Poland/Lithuania. Polish Lancers, Swedish Boy-Kings, Russian Musketeers...
... what more could one possibly ask for in 400 pages?Between 1558 and 1720 the Baltic region was in an almost constant state of war.It began as a quadrangular contest for hegemony, Denmark vs. Russia vs. Sweden vs. Poland, and marked the evolution, in three of these states, of a modern military system led by an autocratic ruler.The unwillingness of fourth, Poland-Lithuania, to adapt its constitution and embrace a militarized state, led directly to its demise.Frost is quick, however, to combat the "traditional" Western history which is dismissive of Eastern military tactics and glibly attributes Russia's early setbacks and Poland's later humiliation to supposed "backwardness."As he explains, the great institutions of the East, such as the Polish cavalry, owed their existence to local conditions and geography. Nor was there any intrinsic reason why Tsarist Russia, as opposed to another political unit, should emerge victorious in the end.The one intriguing element in this drama is the rapid emergence and equally precipitous collapse of Sweden: the first mention of King Charles XII, doomed genius of the North, will quicken the pulse of even the most jaded reader.This is a great piece of scholarly writing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1492-1648    2. Baltic Sea Region    3. Europe    4. Europe - General    5. General    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History, Military    9. History: World    10. Kirchholm, Battle of, Salaspils, Latvia, 1605    11. Military - General    12. Northern Seven Years' War, 1563-1570    13. Northern War, 1700-1721    14. Sweden    15. Eastern Europe    16. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    17. History / General    18. Northern Europe, Scandinavia    19. Warfare & Defence    20. c 1500 to c 1600    21. c 1600 to c 1700    22. c 1700 to c 1800   

Reviews (1)

Latvia the challenges of change optimistic or fantasy
Very concise conversation with two authors, ending with the phrase post-independence hangover.Very quick review of history with references if you really want to know more, and interesting piece of politics and history of the 50 years of Soviet domination, but a reminder that there were really only 30 years of independence, sort of a blink of an eye within a millenium.It has a realistic view of what is and wheter it is good or bad depends on what you are comparing it to.When you read it keep your biases in perspective to what you are reading ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Baltic States    2. Europe - Former Soviet Republics    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Post-Communism    7. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    8. History / Europe / Eastern    9. Latvia