Synopses & Reviews
Historians have long claimed Czechoslovakia between the world wars as an island of democracy in a sea of dictatorships. The reasons for the survival of democratic institutions in the Czechoslovak First Republic, with its profound divisions, have never been fully explained, partly because for years critical research was thwarted by the communist state. Drawing on information from European archives, Miller pieces together the story of the party and its longtime leader, Antonín Svehla- the "Master of Compromise," who had an extraordinary capacity to mediate between political parties, factions, and individual political leaders. Miller shows how Svehla's official and behind-the-scenes activities in the parliament provided the new state with stability and continuity.
Review
"Miller’s carefully detailed study is an important contribution to the history of this period. The text and carefully chosen illustrations provide a much-needed treatment of the biography and career of Svehla, whose accomplishments are now put in proper perspective."
--Choice
Review
"An excellent biography. The difficulties of research have been overcome; it is well written, free of jargon, and a pleasure to read. It also has the merit of placing Czechoslovak agrarian politics in a comparative framework so as to point out clearly the differences with similar Croation, Bulgarian, and Polish parites of the same period. Above all the book succeeds in giving a clear portrait, both personal and political, of this elusive, sympathetic and remarkable figure of interwar Czechoslovakia. “
--Seer
Review
“Miller sets out to examine how Antonín Svehla and his Agrarian Party ruled Czechoslovakia in the interwar period. There is nothing like it in English. It rivals Carol Skalnik Leff’s National Conflict in Czechoslovakia as an important contribution in the field.”
About the Author
"Miller’s carefully detailed study is an important contribution to the history of this period. The text and carefully chosen illustrations provide a much-needed treatment of the biography and career of Svehla, whose accomplishments are now put in proper perspective."
--Choice"An excellent biography. The difficulties of research have been overcome; it is well written, free of jargon, and a pleasure to read. It also has the merit of placing Czechoslovak agrarian politics in a comparative framework so as to point out clearly the differences with similar Croation, Bulgarian, and Polish parites of the same period. Above all the book succeeds in giving a clear portrait, both personal and political, of this elusive, sympathetic and remarkable figure of interwar Czechoslovakia. “
--Seer“Miller sets out to examine how Antonín Svehla and his Agrarian Party ruled Czechoslovakia in the interwar period. There is nothing like it in English. It rivals Carol Skalnik Leff’s National Conflict in Czechoslovakia as an important contribution in the field.”