This book gives the student and general reader a proper understanding of events that are seldom far from the world"s headlines. The Baltic republics are too often seen only in terms of their postwar Soviet relationships. By studying them in a longer historical perspective and in their full European context, this text provides a far truer perspective on their aspirations to take their place within the European community. It discusses the origins of Baltic independence reminding us that they have known before what it is like to be independent and gives background information making this an ideal text for the student or general reader with little or no knowledge in this field.