Part of a series that aims to provide comprehensive histories of modern nations with an emphasis on political and social history of the last forty years, this volume presents a survey of Czech history from early medieval times to the present. The work covers major historical events such as military conflicts from the 1400s through the Cold War, as well as thematic developments including the role of religion in Czech culture and ramifications of the separation of the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1992. The work includes several maps and a time line of important events. Mahoney is a professor of history at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)