Kirschbaum (international studies, York U., Canada) concluded his account in the 1995 first edition with the 1993 creation of the second Slovak Republic. The entry of Slovakia into the European Union in May 2004 provided the impetus for him to examine how that event was connected to the history of the country and its people. He begins with the geography and the first record of human habitation in the territory. Annotation 2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
