Romania since the Second World War

The book draws on a rich and diverse bibliography and has a well thought through structure. Contemporary events are always put into historical perspective, thus making it easier to discern continuity and change ... It is also worth noting the presence of topics not usually tackled in similar works (culture and arts and sport), as well as an appendix containing short biographies of historical personalities ... This is an informative, well-written and accessible book, which will be of use for a wide range of readers, from scholars and students to the general public. * European History Quarterly * This is a comprehensive and valuable study ... The thematic structure of the book means that it will serve as a useful resource for students and researchers seeking to understand specific issues as well as broader patterns of development. * Journal of Contemporary European Studies * Abraham, lecturer in political studies in Bucharest, provides an accessible, sophisticated, scholarly account of major trends in Romania's history since 1945 ... Coverage of the communist period (particularly the bizarre form of dynastic communism Ceausescu inflicted on Romania) is admirable, but the author's greatest contribution is the very detailed explanation of Romania's meandering political path since 1989, which takes up two-thirds of the book. Abraham discusses party politics, political institutions, foreign policy, legal developments, society, economy, and demography. Though the level of detail may seem forbidding for students, the author's clear writing makes the sometimes baffling events of the past quarter century come to life, often vividly. For anyone interested in recent historical developments in one of the EU's youngest members. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. * CHOICE * Florin Abraham's book is the latest contribution to a scholarly tradition represented by such esteemed authors as Ghita Ionescu, Stephen Fischer-Galati, Vlad Georgescu and Vladimir Tismaneanu. Written in an accessible style, attentive to historical sources, and covering more than half a century of Romanian political history, the book provides readers with a valuable and insightful foray into a very complex period in modern European and global history. It has immediate relevance for all of us interested in twentieth century political history, and beyond. * Marius Turda, Oxford Brookes University, UK * Abraham's book triggers the reader's comprehension of the difficulties Romania had to overcome during transformation. Even experts will benefit from this book. Abraham takes a broad look at Romania today and quite pointedly takes a stand, touching on numerous subjects: political institutions, parties, the educational system, churches, economic interrelations, foreign policy and demographic development. The story of the recurrent violent social protest after 1989 is especially interesting. Abraham describes the widespread insecurity in the country, the split in Romanian society and the tendency to authoritarian solutions. A committed plea to face the complexity of the present! * Armin Heinen, RWTH Aachen University, Germany *