The Czechs and the Lands of the Bohemian Crown

by Hugh Lecaine Agnew

The collapse of the communist regimes in Eastern Europe literally on the TV screens of the American public has led to a new interest in the history of the region, and Czechoslovakia in particular seems to have inspired a special sentiment among Americans. In The Czechs and the Lands of the Bohemian Crown, Hugh Agnew offers •The first up-to-date single-volume history of the Czechs, providing an introduction to the major themes and contours of Czech history for the general reader
•A scholarly synthesis of Czech history that takes into account both Western and Marxist insights—as well as the input of the newest generation of Czech historians
•A comprehensive fusion of three different focuses on Czech a political-diplomatic view, a social-economic view, and a cultural-intellectual view
•The most detailed chronology of the region currently available, from prehistory and the first Slavs to the Czech Republic's entrance into the European Union

Genres: History, Nonfiction, European History

441 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Thomas Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being half Czech, I was hoping that this book would give me an interesting history of the Czech people. Unfortunately the book is far from interesting and although it does cover the history it does it in a way that can only be described as boring at best. It is apparent (at least it seems that way) that the author did not do much research into the early history of Bohemia or at least didn't care to spend much time writing about it.

The first half of the book bounces from ruler to ruler without making it clear what is going on and how it is effecting the Czech people. Rulers capture or marry to get this territory or that but the author just moves on without making it clear exactly what is going on. Bohemia was part of the Holy Roman Empire but the author fails to describe what is going on there or what is going on in Europe in general. For example, the events leading up to Second Defenestration of Prague that started the Thirty Years War is so poorly described that the reader is left wondering why exactly the three gentlemen were tossed out the window.

The reason for this seems to be that the author's main interest is the 20th century especially the most recent period starting with the 1990's. The events starting with World War I are described in detail while the period prior to that is mostly skimmed through. This is not necessarily a bad thing but the book does make the claim to be a history of the Czechs and the land of the Bohemian Crown. If the author had a more interesting writing style I would have given the book 4 stars but I found it mostly a struggle to get through. Writing a history that covers 1,000 years does require the ability to make your subject interesting. Unfortunately the author mostly lacks that ability.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this just before going. It helped immensely.

[Erik Champenois · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent though somewhat dry overview of Chzech history, with an emphasis on more recent (20th century) events.

[Vikram Kaul · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dry

[Sean Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dobrý den, kozy ven.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me an overview of Czech history. I learned a lot about a place I hadn't known much about.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sound overview of the major historical figures and events in the region now known as the Czech Republic. Structurally, the book is a little like an accordion being slowly compressed. The opening is quite sparse while the end is more tightly packed with details. It would have been more satisfying if the drama and intrigue Agnew recounts in the sections from Masaryk's presidency onwards were included in the prior eras. There is also a problem with the methodology. Agnew's approach is mostly 'dynastic'. We get to know a lot about the kings and presidents, but little about the people in this region. What defines them as Czech? What accounted for their support of, resistance to or complicity in various historical moments like the Hussite War, the Thirty Years War, the Nazi occupation or the communist regime. The book is called 'The Czechs and the Lands of the Bohemian Crown' but it is one in which the Czechs are mostly silent.

[Jaroslav Tuček · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disproportionately focused on the 20th century events, but overall the text provides a fantastic overview of Czech history and in its comprehensiveness far exceeds what I expected to find available written in English language.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of really good and interesting facts, and I know so much more now. Unfortunately, the writing style was a bit disjointed and very dry. I had to set myself reading targets each day to make sure I got through it!

[Lars · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended book for a future college course taught by one of my favorite professors.

[James Dorwart]

Great source of information for my Ars Magica game..

[Patricia]

Used for reference.

[Tom Mackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice introductory read going back into medieval Czechs.