Description
Bratianu was a master of that subtle, farsighted, and somewhat disreputable diplomacy, in other times referred to as "Byzantine." Like his Byzantine forebears, Bratianu was adept in the art of playing nations against each other for his own benefit. The uncertainty in which he left the Great Powers as to which side Romania would eventually join was a masterpiece of political strategy. Vacillation as a diplomatic art was brought to its loftiest height of perfection by Romanian rulers during the centuries of precarious existence wedged between the Turks, Magyars, and Slavs.
Bratianu proved a worthy successor to his predecessors. From 1914 to 1916, he executed one of the most notable acts of political tightrope walking. The Germans assumed he would never fight against them but feared he might not fight for them. The Allies doubted if he would ever fight for them but hoped he would not fight against them. Finally, he threw in with the Allies at the decisive moment, and the results were catastrophic. But out of the catastrophe, Romania emerged with her territory and population doubled, becoming the sixth-largest country in Europe and the dominant state in Southeastern Europe.
Reviews
Professor Spector is to be commended for the dispassionate manner in which he handles the highly controversial events surrounding the determination of Romania's frontiers; his account is easily the best currently available" - Glenn Torrey, Slavic Review
"This work offers much to historical research, being supported by rich archival material which the writer has used to good effect" - Athan E. Karathanassis, Balkan Studies.
"Romanians throughout the world should be grateful to Professor Spector for the time and effort he has dedicated to studying one of the decisive chapters in their history." - Alexandru Cretzianu
Book Information
ISBN 9781592111404
Author Sherman David Spector
Format Hardback
Page Count 358
Imprint Center for Romanian Studies
Publisher Histria LLC
Weight(grams) 590g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 28mm