Secrets of the Seven Smallest States of Europe: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City

#964
Title: Secrets of the Seven Smallest States of Europe: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City
Author: Thomas Eccardt
Publisher: Hippocrene Books
Year: 2004
360 pages

Eccardt gives good coverage without too much repetition to comparisons, contrasts, and descriptions of the 7 European microstates. I enjoyed reading the whole book, though others may want to use it as a reference work. Though Eccardt provides airport and road graphics, I'd have enjoyed an itinerary or two.

The chapter on language has several less-coherent passages, suggesting the utility of consultation toward a future edition. There are also pages here and there that seem under-edited by the evidence of multiple grammatical and typographical errors, as well as sudden outbreaks of repeated and unnecessary occurrences of "actually" and "of course." With Pope Benedict's abdication, the book will shortly be two popes behind, so it may be time to revise and update. A section on Esperanto, one of Eccardt's other areas, would be useful, as would information on gay rights, gun ownership, and other issues of potential interest.