Reviews (1)

specificity and generalizations all in one package
Katherine Verdery's use of her experience in Romania as the basis for generalizations on 'actually existing socialism' and 'what comes next' left me skeptical at first.However, after more serious study this books constitutes one of the seminal works for study of this region. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Communism    3. Development - Economic Development    4. Eastern Europe - General    5. History & Theory - General    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Post-communism    8. Romania    9. Social Science    10. Socialism    11. Sociology    12. Anthropology    13. Eastern Europe    14. History / Europe / Eastern    15. Marxism & Communism    16. Political Science and International Relations    17. Postcolonial Studies    18. Socialism & left-of-centre democratic ideologies   

Subjects:  1. Aerial operations, American    2. History: World    3. Ploiesti, Battles of, Ploies    4. Ploieðsti, Battles of, Ploieðsti, Romania, 1943-1944    5. World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (2)

A Compelling New History Based on New Documentation
Area studies may be the next area of creativity and productivity in Holocaust studies. Raul Hilberg has written on the whole -- masterfully, brilliantly and enduringly. Leni Yahil, Lucy Dawidowicz, Martin Gilbert andothers have also written on the whole offering differing perspectives butattempting to grasp the whole. The next generation may, of necessity, bemore restricted and more restrained in their writing. More documents areavailable and thus more can be known of each specific area of study, ofvictim groups, of regions. Many younger scholars do not have the mastery oflanguages that was common to their elders, most especially to the EasternEuropean Jews who mastered several languages before they left home. An important contribution to Holocaust Studies.
This survey of the destruction of Jews and gypsies under the Antonescue regime from 1940-44 surveys a little-known era in Romanian history (indeed, much of the nation's history is little revealed to those outside thecountry). Chapters prove in depth a holocaust every bit as extensive as theGerman experience and reveals cruelty expressed on many levels in Romaniansociety. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern Europe - Balkan Republics    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Holocaust    6. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    7. Jewish - General    8. Jewish Holocaust    9. Jews    10. Persecutions    11. Romania    12. World - General    13. World War, 1939-1945    14. European history: Second World War    15. History / World    16. The Holocaust   

Reviews (2)

Good Book, but SCARY editor
Kurt Treptow is a convicted child molester and pedophile.He is currently serving 7 years in Romanian prison for engaging in illegal sexual acts with children at the Center's office, some of these children as young as 8 years old.Worse yet, he VIDEOTAPED these acts.Many of these exploited children are currently in psychiatric therapy to heal their wounds. a history of Romania
well-documented; should have dedicated more space for the communist regime crimes. Overall, an interesting lecture. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern Europe - General    2. History    3. History: World    4. Romania    5. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)   

Reviews (4)

Vampirism and the Real Dracula
Although the book has several chapters about vampirism and Bram Stoker's Dracula, the remaining chapters about Vlad Tepes are very detailed and a good read. Vlad surely was one of the most cruel tyrants ever and his atrocities are described with much detail. Contemporaries wrote about the "untold abuses, sad murders and mutilations by the cruel tyrant Dracula" and the author discusses the sources and their reliability by their level of interest in blackening Vlad. According to Trow, many of Vlad Dracula's acts can be interpreted as efforts to enforce his own moral code upon his country and to strengthen and modernise the central government at the expense of the nobility, because they had repeatedly undermined the power of the Wallachia's rulers (and buried alive his elder brother).
This book could use better editing
I am no expert on Dracula but my historical sensibilities have been offended by several serious errors in the text. Here are just two examples: on pages 9-10 Mr. Trow writes: A welcome addition to community library collections
Expertly presented by crime writer and historian M. J. Trow, Vlad The Impaler: In Search Of The Real Dracula is an impressively researched, meticulously detailed, and superbly written study of the life of the ruthless historical figure whose memory and legend became the inspiration for the enduring legend of a blood-drinking, undead fiend. Yet there was a great deal more to this controversial prince (as vicious as he was), than what his legends say - he was, in historical fact, "more sinned against than sinning". Vlad had to contend with avenging the murders of his family, defending his nation-state from brutal enemies who took every pain to destroy his reputation, and who eventually became a defeated martyr, captured by the Hungarian King Corvinus. Vlad The Impaler is very highly recommended reading and a welcome addition to community library biography collections. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Balkan Peninsula - History    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Europe - Baltic States    6. Historical - General    7. Biography & Autobiography / General    8. Biography: historical    9. European history: c 500 to c 1500    10. Romania   

Reviews (3)

A stunning tour de force on political pathology and dystopia
After "Stalinism for All Seasons" it must be truly depressing to consider writing books of political sociology on the topic of the communist grand narrative. This is not only because Tismaneanu's opus, the outcome of a lifelong fascination with the topic, is so well-stocked with quality historical data (his archival research,and access to unique resources can hardly be replicated), but also because the author is a genuine maestro of both analytical insight and of a captivating writing style. Briefly � this multi-layer book is a masterpiece ...
Briefly - this multi-layer book is a masterpiece of modern political science. This history of Romanian Communism is one particular case speaking crystal-clear about global Communism . Due to Vladimir Tismaneanu and his history ofRomanian Communism we have an accurate, a splendid x-rayofCommunism in the world. seminal work on Romanian communism
Professor Tismaneanu, one of the sharpest analysts in the field of Eastern European politics, has written what is no doubt the definitive comprehensive study of the Romanian Communist Party. Brilliantly written and painstakingly researched over many years, the work will be appreciated by anybody interested in Eastern European politics or the stalinist system and its various deviations. Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Communism    3. Europe - General    4. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    5. History & Theory - Radical Thought    6. International Relations - General    7. Partidul Comunist Roman    8. Partidul Comunist Romãan    9. Political Ideologies - Communism & Socialism    10. Political Science    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Politics and government    13. Politics/International Relations    14. Romania    15. European history: from c 1900 -    16. History / Europe / General    17. Marxism & Communism    18. Political parties   

Reviews (3)

Top-class study of Ceausescu's abominations
This is in my view the most authoritative study of the Ceausescu system to have been published since the dictator's execution in 1989. Very well written and quite fascinating. It puts more sensationalist and hastilyproduced works to shame.

Personal and academic perspective on Romania's History
Probabaly what drew me to the book was the knowledge that Deletant had a long association with the regime of Ceasuescu and a strong academic understanding of the system. He writes with personal candour and an eye fora good story.He also has the ability to bring large numbers of factstogether with consummate ease. Probably the best researched volume on thesubject.

Extensively researchedwork on Communist Romania
This British author speaks fluent Romanian, married a Romanian wife, and lived in Communist Romania.The result is well-researched history, supplemented by personal experience (such as his attempts to get anemigration permit for his wife). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ceausescu, Nicolae    2. General    3. History: World    4. Intelligence Agencies    5. Political Repression    6. Political persecution    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Romania    9. Romania.    10. Secret service    11. Securitatea   

Reviews (2)

Good look
Rather than give a dissertation on the history of the Romanian Army (which seems to be a disturbing trend among MAA reviews in general) I'll focus my comments on what I think prospective buyers want to see - details of what is actually contained in the book.
Good overview of a neglected army, but too short
The Romanian contribution to the Axis cause is often overlooked in the West, since they fought almost entirely on the Eastern Front and after the war, were behind the Iron Curtain.This book does a lot to remedy the lack of information available in English; I'd like to see more work done on Antonescu's army before all its veterans are gone, but this book's a great introduction for the beginner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Armata    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military - General    6. Military History - World War II    7. Military Science    8. Romania.    9. World War, 1939-1945    10. European history: Second World War    11. History / Military / World War II    12. Land forces & warfare    13. Romania    14. Weapons & equipment   

Reviews (3)

Soul Edifying Stories
Being Romanian by ancestry, visiting Romania every three years to teach at a Biblical Seminary in Iasi, and writing a book on the history of soul care and spiritual direction, I have a three-fold interest in the "Romanian Patericon." A Patericon in the Orthodox tradition is a book containing a summation of the life, ministry, and spiritual instruction of saints.
A wonderful book
I am a recent convert to Orthodoxy, which I first encountered whilst working voluntarily at an orphanage in Bucovina, Romania. I was, therefore, familiar with the lives of some of the Romanian saints, particularly Stefan cel Mare and Daniil Sihastru, both of whom came from the area which I have come to know and love. I didn't really appreciate the long and wonderful history of the Orthodox church in Romania until I read this book, however. A Sort-Of Review
I bought this as a birthday gift for a close Romanian friend, who fell in love with it immediately. She said she could "hear" the Romanian text behind the translation, and loved its stories. She would have read it straight through, but her father took it from her for himself as soon as he saw it. I haven't read it, but its enthusiastic reception from these two Romanian Christians living in America recommends it strongly, in my mind. I know it includes the lives of John Cassian and Paissy Velichkovsky (responsible for the spread of the Philokalia and the Jesus Prayer into Russia--see "The Pilgrim's Tale" and J. D. Salinger's "Franny and Zoe"), but I know nothing else about it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Christianity - Orthodox Churches    4. General    5. History: World    6. Religious    7. Orthodox Churches    8. Romania    9. Saints & hagiography   

Reviews (3)

Good reading
The author was extremelly thourough in his research. The book is worth reading. Ceasescu propanganda
This book is completely misnamed, as it reflects neither history nor reality. It is less a Romanian viewpoint than an anti-Hungarian viewpoint. According to the thesis of this book Hungarians existed only to torture Romanians. Apparently the author only used information fabricated by the Ceasescu regime and its minions to expel Hungarian-Transylvanians. This book is neither well balanced nor well researched, and should not be considered a valid scholastic work. For a book on Transylvania actually worth reading try "The Nationalities Problem in Transylvania 1867-1940" by Sandor Biro.

Nicely detailed, Interesting reading
This book focuses on the Hungarian discrimination against the Romanians in Transylvania from the Middle Ages until World War II.Told from the Romanian point of view.Not much about the Transylvanian Saxons who were the third largest group to reside in Transylvania.Interesting reading.You will learn alot about this region. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Balkan Peninsula - History    2. Ethnic relations    3. Historiography    4. History    5. Transylvania (Romania)   

Subjects:  1. Central Europe - History    2. History    3. Transylvania (Romania)   

Subjects:  1. 1941-    2. Biography    3. Earth Sciences - Geology    4. General    5. Geophysicists    6. Geophysics    7. Physics    8. Plate Tectonics    9. Roman, Constantin,    10. Romania    11. Science    12. Science/Mathematics    13. Biography: general    14. Historical geology    15. Other prose: from c 1900 -    16. Science / Physics   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Germany    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Holocaust    7. European history: Second World War    8. Germany    9. History / Holocaust    10. Romania   

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Anthropology - Cultural    3. Eastern Europe - General    4. Ethnic relations    5. General    6. History    7. History: World    8. National characteristics, Romanian    9. Nationalism    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Romania    12. Transylvania (Romania)    13. Values    14. European history: c 1750 to c 1900    15. European history: from c 1900 -    16. c 1700 to c 1800    17. c 1800 to c 1900   

Subjects:  1. Civil society    2. Democratization    3. Economic assistance    4. General    5. History & Theory - General    6. International Relations - General    7. Political Ideologies - Democracy    8. Political Science    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Aid & relief programmes    12. Egypt    13. Peru    14. Philippines    15. Political structures: democracy    16. Republic of South Africa    17. Romania   

Subjects:  1. 43 B.C.-17 or 18 A.D    2. Ancient - General    3. Ancient, Classical & Medieval    4. Complaint poetry, Latin    5. Constan÷ta    6. Epistolary poetry, Latin    7. History    8. History: World    9. Homes and haunts    10. Ovid,    11. Poetry    12. Poets, Latin    13. Romania    14. Translations into English    15. History / Ancient / General    16. Works by individual poets: classical, early & medieval   

Editorial Review

Police have been stumped ever since popular University of Chicago Divinity Professor Ioan Culianu was killed in the middle of a workday in a campus bathroom. The 1991 murder has offered few profitable leads. Author Ted Anton suggests strongly that radicals from Culianu's native Romania did the deed. If he's right, then the death of Culianu probably marks the first political assassination of a professor on American soil. The bulk of this book focuses on the life, times, and scholarship of a man heralded by many to be his generation's Mircea Eliade--as well as why Romanian thugs would have any interest in such a person. The case's apparent unsolvability is maddening, but Anton does a fine job of recounting its essentials. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Interesting Premise, Boring Execution

Eros and Magic.
If you enjoyed Umberto Eco's _Foucault's Pendulum_, you will undoubtedly enjoy this true life tale of magic, European politics, and murder.The book gives an accounting of the life of Ioan Culianu, a professor of comparative religion at the University of Chicago, from his birth in Romania to his untimely murder.Professor Culianu provided astounding insights into the world of magic and attempted to explain its occurrences through complexity.He published many books on magic, comparative religion, shamanism, and gnosticism.Like Mircea Eliade, a fellow Romanian and his mentor before him, Culianu contributed a great deal to our understanding of religion and magic.He also wrote several novels along with his fiancee Hillary Wiesner.This book provides a look into not only the worlds of Eliade and Culianu, but also a disturbing examination of far-right politics in Romania.Culianu's murder remains unsolved despite its obvious link to his outspoken views on the Romanian revolution which occurred just prior to his murder.However, many disturbing coincidences abound regarding this event.

A True Murder Mystery, by fermed
The shot that killed professor Ioan Culianu while he was sitting in a stall in the men's room came from a small Beretta: a .25 caliber gun, fired at leat 18 inches away from his head, for there were no gunpowder traces around the entry wound. It was the work of an expert, a person who stood on the toilet seat of the adjoining stall, and fired downward and into the back of his head; probably the shot of a left hander. Why only one shot? Why such a small caliber gun? Professionals are more heavy handed, more redundant, more brutal. This was exquisitely done, with minimal fuss and no traceable clues. Read more

Subjects:  1. Assassination    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. College And University Faculty    6. Culianu, Ioan P    7. Educators    8. General    9. Murder    10. Murder victims    11. Religion historians    12. Romania    13. True Crime / Espionage    14. United States    15. Crime & criminology    16. Current Events / General    17. Education    18. Higher & further education   

Subjects:  1. Eastern Europe - General    2. Europe - Austria & Hungary    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Transylvania (Romania)    7. Central Europe    8. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    9. World history   

Subjects:  1. Eastern Europe - Balkan Republics    2. Eastern Europe - General    3. Europe - Eastern    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Romania    8. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)   

Reviews (5)

Read these stories
I don't think the core issue of this book - the fact that Romania demanded payments from Israel and West Germany for allowing emigration during its Communist regime(s) - will really surprise or shock anyone today. Indignation too seems somewhat idle. Those were aberrant times, but does history ever really stop being aberrant?
What it means to finally know the truth!!!
Like so many Jews "bought" out of Romania, it was a chilling revelation to understand how lucky were we, and what a tremendous debt of gratitude we all owe Israel. And everything mentioned in the book (and in some cases even more) as far as the Romanian authorities' shenanigans played on the already traumatized emigrees ("traitors") are absolutely true! Many, many thanks to Radu Ioanid and everyone that made this part of history of the Romanian Jewish Community available to the people that lived it but were kept in the dark.

Mind warping
Mr Ioanid's mind boggling historical-political book reads as a story. Although a most disturbing and frightening one, it gives a very painful insight into the pristine hell that communist leaders offered not only to Jews but the whole people, as a matter of fact. Jews, as it unfolds from innumerable documents, were their choice bargaining chip for hard currency. For the sake of dollars, we the people were prize slaves, clearly branded and tagged with the relevant value and price.If only half of Mr Ioanid's story were true, it would be enough to spook the life out of any humble human being on the surface of planet Earth. A must read for anyone decent in this life ! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Eastern Europe - Balkan Republics    3. Emigration and immigration    4. Government policy    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Jewish - General    9. Jews    10. Middle East - Israel    11. Non-Classifiable    12. Nonfiction    13. Ransom    14. Romania    15. Ethnography    16. History / General    17. History / Israel    18. Israel