Vanished Kingdoms

Norman Davies explores fifteen forgotten European kingdoms and states that no longer exist on modern maps. The book covers territories from the ancient Kingdom of Alt Clud to more recent entities like the Soviet Union, examining their rise and eventual dissolution. Each chapter functions as a standalone historical investigation, documenting the political, cultural, and social factors that shaped these lost realms. The text incorporates primary sources, archaeological evidence, and historical records to reconstruct the stories of these vanished nations. The narrative spans different time periods and geographical regions, from the Mediterranean to the Baltic, presenting lesser-known historical entities like the Burgundian state and the Kingdom of Aragon. Davies examines how these states interacted with their neighbors and influenced European development. The work raises questions about the impermanence of political entities and the nature of statehood itself. Through these extinct kingdoms, Davies demonstrates how even powerful states can disappear from history, leaving only fragments of their existence behind.

Readers appreciate Davies' thorough research and his focus on lesser-known European states like Aragon, Burgundy, and Prussia. Many note the book provides fresh perspectives on how nations rise and fall, with detailed maps and dynastic charts enhancing understanding. Readers liked: - Depth of historical detail and primary sources - Coverage of overlooked historical territories - Clear explanations of complex political shifts - Quality of maps and supplementary materials Readers disliked: - Dense, academic writing style - Uneven chapter lengths - Too much focus on royal genealogies - Some chapters feel disconnected Review Scores: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (180+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Fascinating subject matter but requires concentrated reading" Several readers noted the book works better as a reference text than a cover-to-cover read. Multiple Amazon reviewers mentioned struggling with the lengthy Prussia chapter while praising shorter sections on Tolosa and Montenegro.

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🏰 Prussia, one of the kingdoms featured in the book, was formally abolished in 1947 by the Allied Control Council after World War II, despite once being one of Europe's most powerful states. 📚 Norman Davies is renowned for challenging conventional historical narratives, particularly in his groundbreaking work "God's Playground: A History of Poland" (1981), which earned him the Order of Merit from Poland. 👑 The Kingdom of Aragon, discussed in the book, was instrumental in creating the Mediterranean's largest medieval empire before merging with Castile to form modern Spain in 1469. 🗺️ The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was once Europe's largest state, stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea in the 14th century, before gradually diminishing and finally disappearing in 1795. 🏛️ The book demonstrates how 50% of European countries that existed in 1914 had vanished by the end of the 20th century, highlighting the dramatic political reshaping of the continent.