Into the Carpathians: A Journey Through the Heart and History of East Central Europe (Part 2: The Western Mountains)

by Alan E. Sparks

Overview

Finalist, 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards: Travel and Regional Non-Fiction categories.

The journey continues in Part 2 of Into the Carpathians: an engaging and informative chronicle of a hiking and wildlife research expedition along the Carpathian and Sudety Mountains, from Romania to Germany, some 800 miles as the crow flies. Still on the trail of wolves, we now explore the enchanting mountain landscapes of Slovakia, Poland, and the Czech Republic, where encounters with wolves, bears, and lynx; lumberjacks, shepherds, and outlaws; poets, tyrants, and saints; nomads, nobles, and knights; sprites, spirits, and witches--and such ancient peoples as Neanderthals, Celts, and Quadi, and such imposing historical figures as Marcus Aurelius of the Roman Empire, Svatopluk I of Great Moravia, Stephen I of the Kingdom of Hungary, Bolesław the Brave of the Kingdom of Poland, and Jan Sobieski of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth--provide broad insight into the natural, historical, and mythological forces that have shaped, and continue to shape, the nations, cultures, and psyches along the way. 72 illuminating color photographs also emblaze this memorable trek (this is the Deluxe Color Edition; we also offer an edition with the photos in black & white at a lower price; see ISBN 978-0578754475).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780578705705
Publisher:	Rainy Day Publishing
Publication date:	08/18/2020
Series:	Into the Carpathians , #2
Edition description:	Deluxe Color ed.
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.02(d)

About the Author

Alan E. Sparks is the award-winning author of "Dreaming of Wolves" and "Into the Carpathians," and has written articles about wolves for International Wolf Magazine and other publications. As a writer, teacher of English as a second language, commercial actor, and web designer - and as an avid hiker, wolf tracker and caretaker, and student of history and culture - he has lived, worked, and trekked extensively in the Carpathian Mountain region of Central and Eastern Europe.

Table of Contents

Preface to Part 2

Preface to Part 1: A Journey Inspired by Wolves

Introduction

Slovakia

Poland I

The Czech Republic

Poland II

Epilogue

Appendix A: Major Subdivisions and Nomenclatures of the Carpathian Mountains, the Carpathian Basin, and the Sudeten Mountains

Appendix B: A Brief History and the Legacy of Great Moravia

Appendix C: The Magyar Conquest of the Carpathian Basin: Fact and Fiction

Appendix D: White Croats: The Mystery Tribe of the Carpathians

Appendix E: A Brief History of (Eastern European) Galicia

Appendix F: The Four Revivals of Poland

Appendix G: A Brief History of The Polish Monarchy

Appendix H: The Foundation of The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and its Golden Liberties

Appendix I: What's in a Name? "Silesia," Ślęża, the Ślężanie, the Silingi, and the Vandals

Appendix J: A (Very) Brief History of The Lands of the Bohemian Crown

Appendix K: The Bohemian Reformation, the Bohemian Revolt, and the Thirty Years' War

Appendix L: The Polish Hussars

NOTES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX

Editorial Reviews

01/25/2021

Sparks (Dreaming of Wolves) finishes his trilogy of hiking travelogues of Eastern Europe's Carpathian mountains with amusing observations and a wealth of historical detail. Concluding the “Way of the Wolf“ journey with a team tracking various natural predators in the mountains, this final volume is light on wolf sightings but rich in challenging terrain and amusing anecdotes. The team travels through Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, then back through Poland as the author alternates between the cultural history of each region, with vivid descriptions of the local topography, and funny stories about encounters with locals. The attempts made by his group to communicate with locals often comes down to hand signs, and one of his party members laments cultural imperialism's impact on the uniformity of worldwide youth culture. The team's outreach results in a pickup basketball game in the Czech Republic and a dance party in the tiny Polish tourist destination of Jedlina-Zdrój.

There are times when the historical sections ramble or interrupt the travelogue's momentum, especially when a plethora of names and dates are packed in a relatively short space. But readers will appreciate the thoroughness of Sparks’s research, and the way he tells the story of the trip will keep them turning the pages.

The lasting political instability in the region is emphasized in the chapter on Slovakia, when a local interpreter mocks the police after Sparks's car is broken into. He introduces the history of the Lemko people by way of their museum dedicated to Andy Warhol, an ethnic Lemko. The illustrations are a boon: colorful pictures of meticulously crafted wooden churches and the massive Spiš castle bring Sparks's stories to life. The photo of the Skull Chapel of Czermna is a particularly interesting, if gruesome, highlight. Sparks honors his journey and teammates with a thoughtful and historically dense, but still lighthearted, account of their time together, blazing a new trail.

Takeaway: Travelogue fans will appreciate Sparks' deep dive into both a visitor’s view of local cultures and historical research.

Great for fans of: Francis Tapon's The Hidden Europe, James Roberts' The Mountains of Romania: A Guide to Walking in the Carpathian Mountains.

Production grades Cover: A Design and typography: A Illustrations: A Editing: B Marketing copy: B-

BookLife Reviews

"... the star of the book is always the setting. It describes grand mountainsides, picturesque towns, crumbling ruins, and ever-changing weather in reverent prose. Throughout, it weaves in extensive, enthusiastic discussions of each region's history and culture, both ancient and modern.... Into the Carpathians depicts a journey so breathtaking that it will make even those who dislike the outdoors want to pack a bag and see Sparks's marvels for themselves." ―Foreword Clarion Reviews

"Sparks offers complex observations of Carpathian life, past and present, and skillfully captures camp life.... His details of nature often take readers there: One feels the rain pounding the tent, the fairytale-evoking mood of an ancient forest. The writing is a pleasure to read, even the packed, long sentences dense with historical or ethnographic information.... those who love trekking, outdoor adventure narratives, and Central European history, will enjoy learning about this little-covered geography in travel and nature literature." ―BlueInk Review

"... readers will appreciate the thoroughness of Sparks's research, and the way he tells the story of the trip will keep them turning the pages." ―BookLife Reviews

From the Publisher