An Atlas of Extinct Countries

Throughout the history of the world, the countries that have existed have been through constant change. Sometimes there’s an invasion and sometimes it’s just a case of an unclaimed island being claimed. This adorable book covers forty-eight countries that once existed but are now, in the words of the author, extinct, If you are looking for extensive information, this is not the place to go. Only a few pages are devoted to each country and one of those pages is a map. It’s a fun book with humorous accounts of how countries came to be and again how they ceased to be. It’s short and sweet and great for those with limited attention spans.

I really liked the way the writer pokes fun at so many of these entries. The comments become more irreverent as we progress through the book. After all, there are some recurring themes like greed, power, and money that are easy targets. Just when you think a country’s story couldn’t be more ludicrous, you are proved wrong.

This book is a delightful read and I give it 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Europa Editions for sharing an advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair review.