“Gould’s take is likely to be controversial with some, but he will push readers toward discussion and a better sense of the context in which the transition occurred.”

—Carol Skalnik Leff, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

“This tour of four decades in Central and Eastern Europe is one of the most thought-provoking books I have read in a long time and the most engaging effort to understand the region using comparative politics. Gould tells stories with warmth and clarity and makes complicated concepts clear. He covers a vast stretch of territory in a way that seems to make the travel take no time at all.”

—Kevin Deegan-Krause, Wayne State University

“Fragile Dreams is a rare gem that exquisitely blends history, lived experience, and politics. It paints a comprehensive view of Central Europe after communism for students while providing new scholarly insights on critical topics such as economic inequality, nationalism, homophobia, and democratic fragility.”

—Lenka Buštíková, Arizona State University

“Both informative and entertaining, Fragile Dreams is a refreshingly original and accessible study of Central Europe since 1989. Illuminating the key debates of the post-communist era, Gould combines personal stories with an analysis of actual events, while also weaving in relevant terminology from political science and economics.”

“Central and Eastern Europe has been on a rollercoaster ride in the past three decades. Blending together insights from scholarship with personal anecdotes, John Gould has written a marvelous and highly engaging book to guide the reader through all the ups and down. Strap in and enjoy the ride!”

—Tim Haughton, University of Birmingham