Dr. Berdichevsky has done a remakably good job in portraying the complex issues that posed such a dilemma for Denmark during this century in reaching an agreement with Germany that would endure. He pulls no punches in criticizing both our government for its smug historical justification of its policies and the British occupation authorities in South Slesvig for their opportunistic approach as the foremost consideration rather than the "self-determination" of the Danish minority which had become a majority overnight and who had already felt abandoned in the interwar and Nazi periods. It is especially refreshing to read a book which can present the reader with a "What IF" alternative course of events and thereby show that the present outcome was neither inevitable or the only possible one. In spite of his criticism the author is also fair regarding the legitimate suspicions of the political leaders in the postwar period that the changes in South Slesvig were motivated by opportunism.

The "Danish national character" is however rightly subjected to scrutiny and found too smug and self-satisfied as well as timid. It is at the root of the reluctance to take on any major challenge such as self-defense between the two world wars and the challenge of absorption of the Danish minority seeking to return to its roots. Dr. Berdichevsly is undoubtedly right that much of the same mentality is also involved at failing to assert the majority's rights today in Denmark in the face of a growing minority of immigrants who are not encouraged to integrate. The book reveals an exciting story that deserves to be told and reach the English speaking world that is wholly unfamiliar with how close the border came to a major revision after World War II. The fascinating chapter entitled "What is a Nation" also puts the events in perspective and shows the relevance of this specific case to the general question of the bases for national self-identity. The book's only fault is the mediocre quality of some of the illustrations.

Dr.Berdichevky's book reveals a little known historical drama. It is particularly informative, well-written, concise and welcome today in the light of so much use and mis-use of the term "ethnic cleansing".The book demonstrates that language, "ethnic identity" and citizenship are quite distinct and do not necessarily go hand in hand. It is unique in looking at "what -if" scenarios that challenge the tactic often used to justify past mistakes and claims that the present status quo is inevitable, unavoidable and thus historically justified.

This is a fascinating study about a little known border dispute that nevertheless had major ramifications for the course of European history in general and Scandinavian-German relations in particular. It also challenges the widely held misconception about the relationship between language and national identity. Dr. Berdichevsky fills a void in the English language literature concerning The Schleswig-Holstein Question which all history books treat as part of German unification and incorrectly regard as having terminated in 1864.

The reemergence of the dispute at the end of both world wars and the tenuous existence of the Danish minority in South Schleswig are dramatically documented and the British occupation authorities' policies (1945-49) are sharply cirtitcized. This is a well written book that takes issue with the standard appraisal of the Danish government that it always acted correctly and justly.

My son, who attends a German gymnasium, had to read this book for his 9th grade German class as an example of a novel from the romantic period. I picked it up, too, and found it fascinating. I have not read Denis Jackson's translation, but I bought it for my brother in the US who says he greatly enjoyed it.

It is the tale told by an innkeeper to a chance traveler, of a mysterious rider of a white horse who appears on stormy nights when the dykes are in danger. (the original title is 'Der Schimmelreiter' - not 'Der Deichmeister'). The tale segues into the rider's history, his development, his goals and his struggles against nature and man to achieve them, his personal limitations and their resultant failures, and the tragedy that comes of them which leads to his ghost haunting the dykes of northern Germany.

It is an excellent book, absolutely exotic in character and setting for a modern American, rich in detail and mood.