Nationalism in Modern Europe: Politics, Identity, and Belonging since the French Revolution: Derek HASTINGS London, Bloomsbury Academic, 2018, 345 pages, ISBN 9781474213394.

• Author: Saylan, Ibrahim
• Position: BOOK REVIEW

Although nationalism has played a profound role in shaping modern European history, few works have been devoted exclusively to the history of nationalism in Europe. As an historian of modern Europe, Derek Hastings in Nationalism in Modern Europe--Politics, Identity, and Belonging since the French Revolution seeks to fill this gap, by exploring historical manifestations of nationalism in the whole continent from the French Revolution to Brexit. While specifying the scope and methodology of his work in comparison with similar books by other historians like Oliver Zimmer's Nationalism in Europe, 1890-1940 and Timothy Baycroft's Nationalism in Europe, 1789-1945 both of which thematically and analytically focus on nationalism, (1) Hastings clearly states that he aims to accomplish a chronological, comprehensive and descriptive narration of nationalism (p. 2 and note 5 in p. 263).

Hastings's objective explains his methodological preference which is also in tune with his theoretical approach to nationalism. Unlike many social scientists and historians who contributed to the literature of nationalism, Hastings is reluctant to advance a general theory of nationalism. Concerned with the complexities and varieties of nationalism, he suggests that nationalism as an historical subject can be best understood by taking into account the specific temporal and geographical contexts (p. 2). Although many theories of nationalism acknowledge the significance of the historical context, Hastings considers the narrative method more appropriate for historical study. Accordingly, a narrative account does not only inform the reader about the course of historical developments as framed by historians but also shows the ways in which historical personalities envisioned their actions. While Hastings has a specifically defined objective, he commences the book with a necessary, although brief, theoretical discussion in the introductory chapter. As his periodization for the history of nationalism starts with the French Revolution reveals, Hastings endorses the modernist approach to nationalism, which sees both nationalism and nations as modern creations. Selective references to Ernest Gellner and Benedict Anderson provide theoretical guidance for Hastings's work. However, without referring much, Hastings seems to be greatly influenced by John Breuilly as well, according to whom nationalism combines ideas, movements, and sentiments. It is true that Hastings disagrees with...