The Middle Kingdoms. A New History of Central Europe

To celebrate Professor Martyn Rady's new book, The Middle Kingdoms. A New History of Central Europe (published by Allen Lane in May, 2023), Dr Thomas Lorman will be joined in discussion by the author to explore both the inspiration for this new history of the western part of the SSEES region, and the extent to which it challenges previous narratives of central and eastern Europe. All welcome.

Recent reviews of The Middle Kingdoms:

‘Magisterial … the breadth of Rady’s coverage is as impressive as it is eclectic, with gems scattered throughout the book.’ (Peter Frankopan, The Spectator).

‘A masterly synthesis … a brilliantly suggestive account of central Europe from Attila to Zizek.’ (Pratinav Anil, The Times).

‘This is a very impressive book, quirkily original but also scholarly and authoritative, to be read for pleasure and serious reflection, whether in a beer hall in Prague or a pastry shop in Vienna – or a bomb shelter in Kyiv.’ (Noel Malcolm, The Daily Telegraph).

Speakers:

Martyn Rady is Masaryk Professor Emeritus of Central European History at UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies. He has written several major works on the history of Hungary, from the medieval period to the twentieth century, but has also written on topics as diverse as the Hussites, vampirism and the Emperor Charles V. His previous book, The Habsburgs, was described in the Times Literary Supplement as 'probably the best book ever written on the Habsburgs in any language'.

Thomas Lorman is a historian of Central Europe at UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies. He recently published a history of the Hungarian constitution, co-edited with Professor Ferenc Hörcher, as well as a study of the Slovak People's Party. He is currently finishing a study of consociational politics in the Habsburg Monarchy and interwar Czechoslovakia, co-authored with Professor Daniel Miller and Professor Phillip Howe. He serves as editor of Central Europe, one of SSEES’s journals.

Host or Publisher UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies