This book examines the post-war history of Eastern Europe from the perspective of social history. It examines the nature and impact of socialist dictatorships on life in the region, and reveals the extent to which phenomena that emerged during the dictatorships are shaping society in the region today. It also integrates research conducted in the archives opened in the last eleven years into a general history of the region. Mark Pittawayis Senior Lecturer in European Studies at the Open University, UK. Eastern Europe 1939-2000examines the post-war history of Eastern Europe from the perspective of social history. It examines the nature and impact of socialist dictatorships on life in the region, and reveals the extent to which phenomena that emerged during the dictatorships are shaping society in the region today. It also integrates research conducted in the archives opened in the last eleven years into a general history of the region. "Pittaway's writing style is direct and supple, and his arguments are well presented.

This is a great addition to the scholarship on communist Eastern Europe, and it will be useful to instructors of undergraduate classes as well as researchers. Highly recommended."--CHOICE "Pittaway's writing style is direct and supple, and his arguments are well presented. This is a great addition to the scholarship on communist Eastern Europe, and it will be useful to instructors of undergraduate classes as well as researchers. Highly recommended."--CHOICE.