A few words about a word ; A note on pronunciation -- A word (or two) about time ; Languages ; Geography ; Religion -- A prehistory ; History ; Classical Eastern Europe -- Setting the stage, 500-800 CE -- Special insert : The steppe -- The origins of states, 800-1242 CE -- Special insert : Peoples of Eastern Europe : the Jews -- The medieval years, 1242-1600 CE -- Special insert : Peoples of Eastern Europe : the Germans -- The dawn of a new age, 1600-1800 -- Special insert : Peoples of Eastern Europe : the gypsies -- The very, very long 19th century, 1800-1914 -- Special insert : Peoples of Eastern Europe : the Muslims -- The Great War, and a magic year, 1914-1939 -- War! : 1939-1945 -- Special insert : Home is where the border is! -- The frying pan, the fire, etc., 1945-92 -- Easy come, easy go : 1989-92 -- Reference. Musical chairs, or, Place names in Eastern Europe ; Eastern Europe in numbers ; Mrs. Jankowska's homemade pierogis.