Hinterlands
Journeys through Europe's Unfinished Frontiers
Published on 4. June 2026
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-1-80522-541-6 (ISBN)
Description
'Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand Europe of today and tomorrow' PETER FRANKOPAN
'Brilliantly reported and sharply analysed' GIDEON RACHMAN
Long before Putin's invasion of Ukraine, conflict was simmering on Europe's borders. In overlooked territories in eastern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and the Caucasus - from the Balkans and Cyprus to Abkhazia on the fringes of Georgia - local disputes spiral into regional crises, global alliances are forged and broken, and power is brokered while the West looks elsewhere.
In Hinterlands, acclaimed correspondent Hannah Lucinda Smith draws on vivid first-hand encounters with politicians, spies and ordinary people caught in the crosshairs to paint a gripping portrait of Europe at its edges - and the struggles that will define its future.
'Brilliantly reported and sharply analysed' GIDEON RACHMAN
Long before Putin's invasion of Ukraine, conflict was simmering on Europe's borders. In overlooked territories in eastern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and the Caucasus - from the Balkans and Cyprus to Abkhazia on the fringes of Georgia - local disputes spiral into regional crises, global alliances are forged and broken, and power is brokered while the West looks elsewhere.
In Hinterlands, acclaimed correspondent Hannah Lucinda Smith draws on vivid first-hand encounters with politicians, spies and ordinary people caught in the crosshairs to paint a gripping portrait of Europe at its edges - and the struggles that will define its future.
Reviews / Votes
Smith has an excellent eye for overlooked stories and is attuned to some of the absurdities of soft power * Spectator * Brilliantly reported and sharply analysed, Hinterlands shines a light on the disputed on the disputed regions that are on the frontline of great power conflict -- Gideon Rachman, author of THE AGE OF THE STRONGMAN A gripping and elegantly written exploration of Europe's little-understood frontiers. Hannah Lucinda Smith reveals why the continent's borderlands matter - and how they are quietly reshaping the future of the continent. Authoritative and compelling, this is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand Europe of today and tomorrow -- Peter Frankopan, author of THE SILK ROADS Original and evocative narrative journalism that wanders the jagged edges of empire... Here is a vivid first-hand portrait of war-shattered communities and an elegant thumbnail sketch of the imperial collisions that produced them * Literary Review * An important book which provides a compelling reminder of Europe's half-forgotten border conflicts, each of them capable of erupting once again into war -- Sam Miller, author of MIGRANTS Deftly drawn vignettes and sharp insights make Hinterlands a gripping and thought-provoking read ... Her characters leap from the page: poignant stories, memorably told -- EDWARD LUCAS, author of The New Cold War A fascinating journey into the greyer, murkier corners of Europe's political geography -- JON LEE ANDERSON, author of The Fall of Baghdad PRAISE FOR ERDOGAN RISING * - * Empathetic and engaging... full of dazzling cameos and incidental delights * Financial Times * Comprehensive and nuanced * The Times * One should begin by applauding Smith's courage and determination in remaining in both Syria and Turkey during their upheavals and keeping her cool as a journalist ... Could not be timelier * New Statesman *More details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Trade binding
Dimensions
Height: 236 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
482 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80522-541-6 (9781805225416)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
06/2026
Profile Books Ltd
€23.49
Available for download
Person
Hannah Lucinda Smith is a writer, consultant and reporter for The Times and The Economist. She has spent over 14 years covering the Middle East and the Balkans. A consistent Pulitzer grantee, she has also contributed to the Atlantic, Monocle, Spectator, Wired and TLS, among others, and has featured on BBC TV and radio. She is the author of Erdogan Rising and the co-writer of Zarifa.