Peter Frankopan

Central Europe has shaped our culture for centuries – yet we still find the region baffling

Tracing its history from the Roman empire to the present, Martyn Rady puts it firmly centre stage, where it belongs

A miniature from the breviary of Matthias Corvinus, showing St Paul preaching to the Renaissance king of Hungary. Seated beside Matthias is his son John; kneeling in the foreground is his third wife Beatrice. [Alamy] 
issue 29 April 2023
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  • The Middle Kingdoms: A New History of Central Europe

    Martyn Rady

    Allen Lane, pp. 696, £30

It is easy to overlook the importance of Central Europe, writes Martyn Rady at the start of this fascinating book. For some modern writers the region is best typified by similarities, or differences, over postboxes, popular preferences for spirits over wine or ‘the heavy smell of boiled cabbage, state beer and a soapy whiff of overripe watermelons’.

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Written by
Peter Frankopan

Peter Frankopan is professor of global history at Oxford University and author of The Earth Transformed: An Untold History

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