Description

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Estonia and the Estonians provides the first compendious survey in any language of Estonian history, from prehistoric times to the twenty-first century. Estonia's strategic geopolitical location—a crossroads where the major powers of northeastern Europe have struggled for influence—and the small number of ethnic Estonians are crucial factors that have shaped the history of the area and its inhabitants.

The book emphasizes the period since the mid-nineteenth century, when a national movement calling for Estonian cultural and political autonomy began to emerge. During the two world wars, Estonia gained and lost political self-determination. Yet a modern Estonian culture was firmly established, and a strong sense of national identity survived the Soviet era.

About the Author

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Toivo U. Raun was born in Tartu, Estonia, and is a professor specializing in Modern Baltic and Finnish history. Among his other publications are Soviet Deportations in Estonia: Impact and Legacy (coedited with Kristi Kukk) and Russification in the Baltic Provinces and Finland, 1855–1914 (Edward C. Thaden, ed.).