National history is a vital part of national self-definition. Most books on the history of the world try to impose a uniform narrative written usually from a single writers point of view. Histories of Nations" is different: it presents 28 essays written by a leading historian as a self-portrait of his or her native country defining the characteristics that embody its sense of nationhood. The countries have been selected to represent every continent & every type of state large & small & together they make up two-thirds of the worlds population. They range from mature democracies to religious autocracies & one-party states from countries with a venerable history to those who only came into being in the 20th century. In order to get to grips with the national & cultural differences that both enliven & endanger our world we need above all to understand different national viewpoints to read the always engaging & often passionate accounts given in this remarkable & unusual book."