The Glass Wall. Lives on the Baltic Frontier

This captivating exploration into the fringes of Europe intricately weaves together history, travel narrative, and firsthand accounts to produce a compelling and illuminating portrayal. The eastern Baltic region, and in particular the small nations of Latvia and Estonia, have endured immense turmoil and violence throughout the twentieth century as they found themselves sandwiched between the powerful forces of Germany and Russia. These countries, having been subject to foreign rule and constant invasions since the Northern crusades of the twelfth century, have repeatedly suffered under the ambitions of German, Russian, and Swedish colonizers who sought to dominate their lands, culture, religion, and governance.In "The Glass Wall," an impressive array of individuals—both historical and contemporary, local and foreign—come to life. These characters have either lived or fought in the Baltic, contributing to the unique environment of a region often considered the remote outpost of western Europe. This area has frequently and regrettably been thrust into the role of a battleground for conflicts not its own. Through the narratives of various figures like warriors, victims, philosophers, Baltic Barons, poets, artists, rebels, and emperors, Max Egremont paints a vivid picture of these tumultuous times. His work unveils a richly intricate segment of Europe, situated at a frontier whose precise delineation may still be uncertain.