The little Czech man and the Great Czech Nation: National identity and the post-communist transformation of society

Product Description Ladislav Holy brings to this timely study of national identity the skills of a seasoned researcher, a cosmopolitan perspective, and the insights of an insider. Drawing on historical and literary sources as well as ethnography, he analyzes Czech discourses on national identity. Arguing that there were specifically "Czech" aspects to the Communist regime and to the "velvet revolution", he explores how notions of Czech identity were involved in the debates surrounding the fall of Communism, and the emergence of a new social system. Review "Serious students of Czech culture and politics can ill afford to ignore Holy's fascinating book." H. Steck, Choice"As it challenges recent understandings of central and eastern European economic and political developments as 'natural' in themselves, the material within The Little Czech and the Great Czech Nation will be extremely useful to anthropologists who work in the region." Rebecca Nash, American Anthropologist"...a valuable and suggestive study....to enrich our understanding of the domestic transitions from communism Carol Skalnik Leff, Slavic Review Book Description Timely and insightful study of Czech nationalism and identity in the post-communist period. Book Description Drawing on historical and literary sources as well as ethnography, this study analyzes Czech discourses on national identity. It explores how notions of Czech identity were involved in the debates surrounding the fall of Communism, and the emergence of a new social system.