The sometimes far-fetched stories here seem to check out when verified against other sources, so that is good. This is an interesting though never engrossing book about a variety of would-be or once-were nations. The author tries a little too hard to be clever and funny, but the book is short, so before it gets too annoying, it's over! ( )

Interesting facts. Moves quickly between topics. However snarky biased views take away from reader enjoyment. Seems to hate the English but doesn’t have a bad word for the greatest murderer of the 20th Century Mao-tse Tung. ( )

Best for:
People who enjoy clever bits of history, and geography.

In a nutshell:
Defoe explores the origins and collapse of 48 countries.

Worth quoting:
“Note: if your plan involves the British coming to your rescue at any point, then it is a Bad Plan. Can’t emphasise this enough.”

“…countries are just daft stories we tell each other. They’re all equally implausible once you get up close.”

Why I chose it:
I’m a sucker for geography and weird historical facts.

What it left me feeling:
Amused.

Review:
This book was exactly as described, and very entertaining. Obviously a book that deals with real people and real lives has to strike a balance, and Defoe does that quite well.

Each country is covered in five or fewer pages. Each entry includes the now-defunct nation’s population, capital, languages, currency, cause of death, and what nation it is part of today. It also includes the location not in latitude/longitude, but by using three words, as part of the What 3 Words system.

Defoe doesn’t hold back judgment of the people who declare these nations, or destroy these nations. He offers commentary and wit, but also educates the reader. And the very short entries make it a great book to read before bed, when you want to learn something but still be entertained.

Recommend to a Friend / Keep / Donate it / Toss it:
Donate it ( )

A somewhat flippant catalogue of unsuccessful bits of nation-building, presented in the form of a series of very short essays that necessarily skip a lot of interesting background to spend time on what often feels like journalistic trivia.

Of course, there are far more than 48 ex-nations to choose from in world history. Defoe seems to have gone for a handful of proper countries that lost their separate identity due to Napoleon, colonialism, or similar big geopolitical stuff— Venice, Dahomey, Yugoslavia, etc. — a lot of short-lived microstates, usually created on islands or in frontier towns by opportunistic adventurers— Sarawak, etc. — a few temporary accidents of other states’ incompetence with maps and treaties— Moresnet! — and one or two bits of blatant abuse, like Leopold’s Congo and the Bantustans of South Africa. A mildly amusing Christmas stocking book. ( )

It was okay but the writing and tone were really unnecessary. ( )