Product Description
The only published account of the 1989 revolution in Prague written by an American participan, this book weaves together interviews, newspaper reports, photos, and the author's own accounts to demonstate the meaning and role of , both physical and symbolic, in political revolution. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

You Say You Want A Revolution?
Then take a look at Mike Kukral's account of the 1989 events in Prague. This is the ONLY, day-to-day, non-media, non-government writing of an America who was present from start to finish. Chapter 3, which covers about 70 well-written pages, is a diary of the historic events leading up to, during, and after the "Velvet Revolution". Kukral's voice is deep and full of detail, yet can be easily understood by most anyone. As the events proceed, the excitement leaps off the pages and makes you feel as though you were standing alongside the author in Wenceslas Square on a chilly November evening. The social aspect of an Ohio University education played a crucial role in the accessability of this work - how often does the Smiths album "Strangeways" get mentioned alongside Havel and humanistic political geography? This is a very worthwhile read for anyone traveling to Prague or peace-loving revolutionaries who haven't yet broadened past Ghandi and MLK.

The best informative book about the Czech Revolution.
This book is a stunning account of Kukral's day to day adventures as an American caught in the middle of the Velvet Revolution in Prague.His writing is brilliant as he captures the mood and atmosphere of the time and city. Kukral's view from the streets in Chapter 3 is a wonderfully written personal journal in which his observations on Czech culture, Prague history and architecture, and the last days of communism shine brilliantly from the pages. Other chapters deal with Prague history and culture in a somewhat unique 'humanistic' method. If you want to experience the city of Prague during a revolution read this book. The Prague Post gave this book a very high rating in its review and I recommend it above the works of T.G. Ash and other writers on the Velvet Revolution. ... Read more

Product Description
This clear, objective introduction to the politics of Czechoslovakia and the successor Czech and Slovak republics builds a framework for understanding the dynamics of the "triple transition": democratization, marketization, and a national transformation that has reconfigured the dynamic between state and nation. Offering a valuable case study of a country coming back to Europe, the book's strong comparative element will make it invaluable to those seeking to understand the dynamics of transition in the region as a whole. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

THE ONLY SOURCE FOR CURRENT CZECH AND SLOVAK INFO!!!
Leff has written the first detailed analysis of the Czech and Slovak Republics since their divide in 1993. She provides sufficient historical background, an excellent tale of the Velvet Revolution, and an accurateevaluation of the current situations in both countries including bothpolitical and economic statuses.This book is necessary for anyone wantingthe real picture of Czech and Slovak life after the fall of the SovietUnion. ... Read more