The Project

Why did I start this project?

Over the years, as I wandered half-awake through academia and into the arms of corporate America, I’ve met many people along the way who in some capacity had to or wanted to deal with Eastern Europe — but knew stunningly little about it. Some were very well experienced in Western Europe and felt comfortable traveling or doing business there, but Eastern Europe was terra incognito, off the map with a little sign reading ‘Here be monsters’. Some were business people, some were grad students or professors, some were simply tourists looking for something new, while others had an ancestral background they knew little about. Somehow Eastern Europe loomed in their lives and they were looking for some answers, or at least a few guideposts. We’re talking some basic stuff here, by the way; one businessman reported to me his shock after his first trip to the region that they had cars, phones and modern buildings.

I am not an expert on Eastern Europe, but through a life-long passion for its history and cultures, and after spending some years living, working and studying in the region, I can confidently point you towards those who are experts and the aspects of Eastern Europe they focus on. That’s why I’m writing this book, as an introductory guide for those who are casually interested and want — or need — to know more. This book covers the basics — languages, religion, geography, population sizes and distribution, some basic economic facts — as well as an overview of the region’s history. Why history? Westerners, particularly Americans, tend to view history as something quaint but essentially stuck in books but history plays a crucial role in Eastern Europe, often defining modern events in ways Westerners can find mystifying. Even when talking about mundane daily issues, Eastern Europeans will often cloak their descriptions of the present in the language of the past. To this end, the book also includes a handy (and hefty) reference guide. I’ve tried to keep the book as informative and as entertaining as possible. Stay tuned as we head to publishing!