Review of 'The Czech Republic a Nation of Velvet'

THE CZECH LANDS HAVE A VARIED and often turbulent past. More recently, the Czech Republic has been known for the smoother, ‘velvet’ nature of developments in the country, most notably the ‘Velvet Revolution’ in 1989, the ‘Velvet Divorce’ in 1992 and the initially smooth progress of key elements of post-communist transformation. Rick Fawn’s book on the country emphasises the distinctive nature of developments in the Czech Republic, both in the past and throughout the post-communist period. In particular, the book discusses the considerable successes and advances made during the transformation period and it uncovers what is referred to as the ‘frayed edges of the velvet nation’