Currently I am reading, and almost finished with Andres Kasekamp's A History of the Baltic States, published in 2010. Kasekamp is professor of Baltic Politics at the University of Tartu in Estonia, and he has written a delightful account of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania's rich history. I like it because he discusses the region's indigenous origins, the ethnic, political and linguistic changes over time, and the most recent political strife and independence movements. The book is detailed without being an extensive read, overwhelming or dry, and is especially interesting because Kasekamp seeks to clarify the many misconceptions about the region. These have been made in regards to the diverse ethnic and religious make-up, as well as how the Baltic has been politically involved with the USSR and previous systems of power. One of my favorite elements is the inclusiveness of the many grassroots independence movements, inspired by folk tradition! The Singing Revolution, for example was a massive song festival initiated in Estonia, and was designed as a peaceful protest against the Soviet regime in 1988. A great book for a concise historical background on how the Baltic States came to be as they are today!
