Joep Leerssen holds the Chair of Modern European Literature at the University of Amsterdam. He is the author of many authoritative studies on the relations between literature, historical consciousness and nationalism.

"Joep Leerssen has written a wide-ranging, lucid, concise and elegant essay that replaces the many European nationalisms in their cultural contexts. It should appeal to students and tell their teachers something new as well." Peter Burke, Emmanuel College, Cambridge University|"This book should be studied by all working in the field of nationalism. Leerssen is a scholar of the first rank, and I doubt if there is any serious scholar of nationalism who will fail to profit from this treasure house of erudition and reflection. The book is itself a delight to read." John Hutchinson, London School of Economics, in Nations and Nationalism

• List of Illustrations, Foreword to the Third Edition, Preface, Introduction, Source Traditions, The Politics of National Identity, Identity Rampant, Aftermath and Conclusions: Twentieth-Century Issues, Appendices, Languages, Alphabets, Dialects and Language Politics, Source References, Bibliography, Index