Europe: A Tapestry of Nations

With vast knowledge of Europe based on years of residence there and a skillful selection of material presented in concise and elegant style, New York Times political columnist Lewis here achieves the seemingly impossible task of compiling an ""impressionist and analytical'' survey of modern Europe in a highly readable volume. The book can serve as a supplementary guide for visitors or students who wish to acquire historical perspective and explore the diversities of nation-states and the role each plays in the contemporary world. Topics of concern such as regionalism, terrorism, etc., are discussed in relation to countries most affected by them. Lewis describes the geography, economy, demography and government systems of each country and compares their priorities and attitudes toward family, sex, religion, education, work, quality of life, food, culture, etc. Her lively national portraits impart their distinctive character and flavor, such as the nostalgia of former imperial capital Vienna, the tangled web of Romanian politics and the wealth of sometimes contradictory elements of Italian life and culture. Major ad/promo. (November 16)