Eastern Europe!, 2nd Edition: Everything You Need to Know About the History (and More) of a Region that Shaped Our World and Still Does

I have not finished, it is a huge book, but very enjoyable style of writing combined with excellent content to cover transitions between locations, periods, etc. Table of Contents very useful to move between periods. It has become more of a reference book, versus reading beginning to end, for example, great content to understand history and present situation of Ukraine (as well as Putin's attitude toward the country). Brought to current period and political situation, except war in Ukraine now with Russia, but years after Crimea. Cannot imagine how one can learn all of its history and author a book that has to be assembled for a novice reader. Impressive and highly recommended, I keep the book open at all times as I read the news and commentary on what is going on in Central Europe.