"To the surprise of many, the Soviet Union ceased to exist in 1991, and out of its ruins arose an independent Ukraine. This was a remarkable achievement, and one that owed much to activities in the historic region of Galicia, as Paul Robert Magocsi reveals here." "Magocsi begins with a historical survey of Galicia, where Ukrainian national and cultural interests have long flourished. His subsequent essays focus on the role played by the region during the nineteenth century, when Ukrainians in Galicia were struggling for recognition as a distinct nationality. He places Galicia in the larger context of Ukrainian and eastern European politics, then follows with studies of the nuts and bolts of nationality building - language, culture, ideology, and so on. He also explores the influence of the Habsburg Empire in creating unique conditions for a national and social revival among Ukrainians, and considers the impact of both Habsburg and Soviet rule on the Ukrainian national psyche." "This study provides a solid background for understanding nineteenth-century Galicia as the historic Piedmont of the Ukrainian national awakening. It is essential reading for historians, public-policy makers, and all those interested in regional differentiation within Europe's second largest country - Ukraine."--BOOK JACKET.