I’ve been inclined to steer clear of Ukraine in our interviews. This is a U.S. history newsletter, after all. But Eastern Europe has come up repeatedly in our explorations (for example, on Israel and the Diversity Visa), and I seized the chance to read Goodbye, Eastern Europe by Jacob Mikanowski to learn more. Truth be told, I was blown away, and I hope you find our conversation as enjoyable and educational as I did.
Jacob is a historian, journalist, and critic. He’s written for The Atlantic, The Guardian, and The New York Times. He’s also appeared on radio stations like NPR and the BBC. Goodbye, Eastern Europe was published just ten days ago, and it transformed my perspective of the region. Turns out there’s a lot more than sauerkraut! Specifically, Jacob’s focus on the diversity of the region contextualizes the ongoing war in Ukraine and a whole lot more.
The Diversity of Eastern Europe—and Ukraine