''This rich, tightly argued, densely packed book is essential reading for all students of nationalism.'' - European Societies ''Gabriela Elgenius has written a highly readable book, with a solid basis in the literature on nationalism and nation building. She is to be praised for her comparative approach to flags and national days, and for her systematic presentation of overarching trends and typologies.'' - Nations and Nationalism ''This book is well conceived and well written, and it makes an intelligent and original contribution to the study of nations and nationalism. The book has many virtues and is one of the best and most complete studies I have seen on the role of symbols and ceremonies in constructing the nation.'' - Ethnic and Racial Studies "Because of the support it offers for contemporary scholarship on national identity, its European focus, and its new typology of national symbolism, Elgenius's work is a welcome contribution to our knowledge of national identity, and will be the standard sociological work on European flags and national days for some time to come." - Contemporary Sociology.