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comprehension that besides the prominent importance of the characteristics of the object (geography, political and
economical situation, culture etc.) the identity of the inventor had also a special impact on the result of invention.
Subsequently, one of the important insights is that, in vast majority, the travelers to the East of Europe were
nobles; and for many of them it was not only a geographical transfer, but also often - a transfer inside of the social
stratums. So, when a French aristocrat from 18 th Century describes the impressions after he slept in a Russian hut
(32), it can be that he acknowledges more closely the dimension of the peasant’s life (which may be in some way
similar to that of his own country?).
A challenge for the reader might be to decide how much is the “invention” of Eastern Europe an absolute
result of the 18 th Century. It is noticeable, in particular from the chapters dedicated to “Peopling Eastern Europe”,
that a huge “baggage” (in appreciating history, language, customs etc) is borrowed by illuminists from previous
periods. For example, an essential component of the Enlightenment’s Eastern Europe will include the ideas - what
go back beyond to Herodotus, Tacitus, or Renaissance – the history of barbarian incursions, including the Huns
and the Slavs as well as the Scythians and Sarmatians. Also Wolff’s analysis reveals quite explicit the connection
made by travelers in relating their direct experience of discovering Eastern Europe to the already existent patterns,
knowledge, and prejudices.
Another interesting, but unfortunately not tested enough affirmation launched by Wolff – that the modern
concept of underdevelopment started its existence with the invention of Eastern Europe, who provided the “first
model of underdevelopment” to Western Europe (9).
The indisputable strong point of the Wolff’s work is the brilliant examination and deep understanding of the
original texts of the Enlightenment. However, sometimes I wish I could find more of the author’s explanation or
opinion vis-à-vis the used sources. I recognize the benefits of the approach - being scarce in comments - for a
sophisticated and well-prepared reader, but it might not be sufficient for a not prepared one.
After reading Larry Wolff’s “Inventing Eastern Europe”, I thought that maybe one more book is needed in
order to diminish the gap between two parts of the Europe, and that should be entitled – “Understanding Eastern
Europe”.
– –
dr. diana dUmitRU,
Universitatea Pedagogică de Stat “Ion Creangă”