The Coasts of Bohemia - A Czech History (Derek Sayer, 1998)

Since my wife is 3/4 Bohemian or Czech - with obvious implications for my children - it seems like a pretty good idea to learn something about this part of the world.  (For example:  where, exactly, is Bohemia?  Also:  why is a "bohemian" lifestyle associated in the first instance with artistic types residing in Paris?)

This book was interesting, and useful.  Title is a play on a line in Shakespeare - thought to be intentionally confusing about a non-existent Bohemian coastline.

Turns out that was typically is referred to as "Bohemia" roughly corresponds with the current Czech Republic; the Slovak part (to the east, and much slower to develop) was "Moravia."

Here's how I'd summarize things:

1.  This area of Europe generally slower to develop than Western Europe (let alone Mediterranean or Middle/Near East places).

2.  Sort of on the cusp of being Slavic - but fully integrated into Western Europe over time.  Until the Iron Curtain was lowered.

3.  Country peaked as an independent state in the 14th century - king named Charles (for whom the modern Charles Bridge is named).

4.  Jan Hus a big hero - anticipated the Reformation by less than 100 years.  Used in various ways over the centuries by myth-makers with varying agendas.

5.  Defenestration of Prague triggers 30 Years War (1618-1648).

6.  Prague generally getting bossed around by other countries over the centuries - primarily Austria.

7.  Czech language mostly for peasants - cultured types use German.  Limited vocabulary.

8.  Post-Napoleon - same considerations here as in so much of Europe (and elsewhere) (as discussed very effectively in this book) - nationalism and self-determinism and all sorts of other new - and generally counterproductive - ideas come to the fore.  As in so much of Europe - Czechs try to invent a long-term history to support territorial aspirations.  Folks in the villages would have been very surprised to learn how their very local customs were appropriated in support of defining (really, inventing) a national culture.

9.  Continuing Austrian/German domination.  Limited concessions to Czech-ness, whatever that meant.  Nazi abuse, quite nasty.  Richard Heydrich - we had recently seen a movie (Hangmen Also Die) in which Bertolt Brecht was involved (the only movie in which he was involved, we learned) - sadistic Nazi governor, incredible reprisals after Heydrich was assassinated.

10.  Ongoing efforts to develop Czech language, literature, etc.  Antipathy toward Germany; crescendos, not surprisingly, after WWII.

11.  The profound bizarreness of Communism.  Recent emergence.

Author discusses The Good Soldier Svejk.  And Kafka.