Larry Wolff's *Inventing Eastern Europe: The Map of Civilization on the Mind of the Enlightenment* explores how the concept of "Eastern Europe" emerged as an intellectual construct during the Enlightenment, rather than a geographical reality. Wolff argues that the division of Europe into East and West, and the cultural and ideological distinctions between them, were shaped by Enlightenment thinkers through travel accounts, maps, and philosophical writings. The book examines how Western Europe, particularly cities like Paris, London, and Amsterdam, came to define itself in contrast to the "barbaric" East, which was seen as the antithesis of civilization. Wolff critiques scholars like Said, Wallerstein, and Hobsbawm for their focus on the invention of tradition, while emphasizing the role of Enlightenment thinkers in constructing the idea of Eastern Europe as a cultural and political zone. The book traces the construction of Eastern Europe through the writings of travelers and philosophers, such as Voltaire, who imagined Eastern Europe as a land of savagery and exoticism. Wolff highlights how Enlightenment thinkers used maps and travelogues to create a narrative of Western superiority and Eastern inferiority, often ignoring the voices of Eastern Europeans themselves. He also discusses the role of maps in shaping perceptions of Eastern Europe, noting that they were not just tools of navigation but also ideological instruments that reinforced Western control and knowledge. Wolff analyzes how Enlightenment thinkers used Eastern Europe as a site for exploring political philosophy, social theory, and racial classifications. He critiques the tendency to conflate cultural differences with biological ones, as seen in the work of scholars like Herder and Fichte. The book concludes by arguing that the Enlightenment's construction of Eastern Europe was not just about defining a region but about validating Western European civilization. Wolff's work challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions about the historical and cultural boundaries between East and West.Larry Wolff's *Inventing Eastern Europe: The Map of Civilization on the Mind of the Enlightenment* explores how the concept of "Eastern Europe" emerged as an intellectual construct during the Enlightenment, rather than a geographical reality. Wolff argues that the division of Europe into East and West, and the cultural and ideological distinctions between them, were shaped by Enlightenment thinkers through travel accounts, maps, and philosophical writings. The book examines how Western Europe, particularly cities like Paris, London, and Amsterdam, came to define itself in contrast to the "barbaric" East, which was seen as the antithesis of civilization. Wolff critiques scholars like Said, Wallerstein, and Hobsbawm for their focus on the invention of tradition, while emphasizing the role of Enlightenment thinkers in constructing the idea of Eastern Europe as a cultural and political zone. The book traces the construction of Eastern Europe through the writings of travelers and philosophers, such as Voltaire, who imagined Eastern Europe as a land of savagery and exoticism. Wolff highlights how Enlightenment thinkers used maps and travelogues to create a narrative of Western superiority and Eastern inferiority, often ignoring the voices of Eastern Europeans themselves. He also discusses the role of maps in shaping perceptions of Eastern Europe, noting that they were not just tools of navigation but also ideological instruments that reinforced Western control and knowledge. Wolff analyzes how Enlightenment thinkers used Eastern Europe as a site for exploring political philosophy, social theory, and racial classifications. He critiques the tendency to conflate cultural differences with biological ones, as seen in the work of scholars like Herder and Fichte. The book concludes by arguing that the Enlightenment's construction of Eastern Europe was not just about defining a region but about validating Western European civilization. Wolff's work challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions about the historical and cultural boundaries between East and West.