The first comprehensive study of the Baltic as a fascinating region: the rise and fall of great dynasties, the dramatic events surrounding cities such as St Petersburg, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Gdansk, Reval (Tallinn), Riga and Memel (Klaipeda), the changes brought about by the new thinking of the Enlightenment, the unfolding threat of Napoleonic France and the aftermath of the First World War and the Russian Revolution. The publication is supplied with black-and-white and colour illustrations, as well as genealogical trees of the ruling dynasties and chronological lists of events. "My aim has been to give an overview of the history of the Baltic region, which unites the various lands now belonging to Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Belarus and Germany, through the lives of the people who shaped it. Because the individual areas of the Baltic Sea region have interconnected histories, understanding the history of one country can be very helpful in understanding the others… In writing the book, I have followed a chronological sequence as far as possible, rather than dividing it into geographical sections. This methodology helps to show how closely the individual stories are intertwined.” (Caroline Boggis-Rolfe).

A book from a respected researcher. The author, Caroline Boggis-Rolfe, is a British journalist and historian who has lived and worked in the Baltic Sea region for over a decade. Accessibility. Despite its depth, Boggis-Rolfe’s work is written in an accessible and engaging style that allows readers to easily follow what is happening on the pages of the book. The book examines the cultural exchange between the Baltic region and the rest of the world, highlighting the region’s rich artistic and literary heritage. Exploring environmental issues. The book also examines environmental issues facing the Baltic region – global climate change and the region’s ecosystems. The publication is published with color illustrations. The reader will have the opportunity to get acquainted with maps and works of art.