A virtual island in the Black Sea, Crimea is connected to the European continent by only a narrow sliver of land. For centuries it was part of the Ottoman and Russian empires, then the Soviet Union, and today independent Ukraine. But its history goes back even farther, as is evident from a landscape filled with the remnants of cultures and peoples: classical Greeks, Goths, Byzantines, Mongols, imperial Russians, and, most importantly, Crimean Tatars.

An authoritative introduction to this fascinating region, This Blessed Land is the first book in English to trace the vast history of Crimea from pre-historic times to the present. Written by Paul Robert Magocsi, author of A History of Ukraine: The Land and Its Peoples and the Historical Atlas of Central Europe, This Blessed Land will captivate general readers and serious scholars alike.

Published by the Chair of Ukrainian Studies, University of Toronto.

Paul Robert Magocsi, FRSC, is professor of history and political science and holds the John Yaremko Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Toronto.

Paul Robert Magocsi's profile page

‘Paul Magocsi fills a notable gap in the English language literature on Crimea… The cadence throughout is superb; there is enough detail to provide a compelling story… This Blessed Land is a pleasure to read from start to finish.’

The Canadian Slavonic Papers vol 57:1-2:2015

‘Paul Robert Magocsi takes us on a historical journey… The breathtaking photography, detailed illustrations and maps add to the comprehensive depth of Magocsi’s work, allowing the reader to truly envision this unique land while reading of its rich, yet tragic legacy.’

The Ukrainian Quarterly vol 81:1-3: 2015

"Magocsi’s book is a true treasure."

East/West: Journal of Ukrainian Studies, vol VI, 1