An Illustrated History of Lithuania. From the Prehistoric Balts to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Volume I

Evocative descriptions that bring past events to life, hundreds of maps, timelines, genealogies, diagrams, battle plans, visual and written sources, biographies of the famous, historical concepts, and little-known fascinating facts of Lithuanian history, the two-volume Illustrated History of Lithuania written by Dr. Ignas Kapleris has it all. The first volume covers the period of the nation's development from the Baltic tribes of prehistory and the creation of a state in the 13th century to the fall of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795. The second will cover the period of the modern state's formation - the events of the 19th-21* centuries from the incorporation into the Russian Empire to interwar independence (First Republic), the Soviet era, and the present- day current events of the Second Republic of Lithuania.

About the author

I grew up in the bilingual world of Vilnius council housing. In the late Soviet era, I played war with the other kids in the courtyard, recited poetry about a bright tomorrow in kindergarten, and stood in many a long shop queue with my grandparents. I was entranced by the singing of the euphoric crowds at revolutionary meetings. My brother and I waved small Tricolors in the Baltic Way. At the then AOCAAO (Eng. Volunteer Society for Cooperation with the Army, Aviation, and Navy) I saw Soviet tanks sunk into a field. At night I watched the tracer-like flashing lights highlighting the television Tower. That spring I shook hands with an ex-US president. Worry, waiting, and... freedom. A breath of fresh air bringing with its 'bucks' and Donald Duck, Gariunai Business Park, and racketeers. Life sped up. Classes at the gymnasium; walks in the dark but mysterious and intriguing Old Town; university history classes; the culture shock of my first trip to the West, the unimaginable joy of my first PC... For over 17 years now I have worked with fellow history teachers, various scientists, and museum curators. I have written scientific articles published in Lithuanian and foreign academic journals, ten history textbooks, and other teaching materials. And I defended a Vilnius University dissertation on how digital media has changed the way Lithuanian museums interact with visitors. All this has led to my interests in history, history education, communications, and museology.