Europe's history is littered with kingdoms, duchies, empires and republics which have now disappeared but which were once fixtures on the map of their age. What happened to the once-great Mediterranean 'Empire of Aragon'? Where did the half-forgotten kingdoms of Burgundy go? Which current nations will one day become a distant memory too? This original and enthralling book peers through the cracks of history to discover the stories of lost realms across the centuries. 'Dazzling, provocative and brilliant.' Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times, Books of the Year 'A luminous account . . . there are few better ways of understanding the multilayered splendours and horrors of Europe's past than through the pages of this wise, humane and unfailingly engaging book.' John Adamson, Sunday Telegraph 'Irresistibly exciting . . . Davies recovers lands that have disappeared not only from history, but from our whole conception of the world.' Dan Jones, Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year 'Vanished Kingdoms is great history and also great art. It is written with verve, passion and profound empathy.' David Marquand, New Statesman, Books of the Year 'A magnificent achievement. Brocaded with scholarship, the book is unlikely ever to be equalled.' Ian Thomson, Independent 'Wonderfully exhilarating, civilized and graceful.' John Gray, Guardian, Books of the Year