Book Review: Baltic: The Future of Europe by Oliver Moody
A journey through the overlooked edge of Europe that’s quietly shaping its future
I’ve always believed that some of the most fascinating places in the world are the ones that don’t shout for attention, but quietly transform the course of history. That’s exactly what Oliver Moody captures in his brilliant new book, Baltic: The Future of Europe.
Published in March 2025, this deeply reported and timely work explores the nine countries that border the Baltic Sea—Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Poland, Sweden, and others, depending on your definition. Moody, the Berlin bureau chief of The Times, makes the case that this region is no longer just Europe’s quiet northeastern flank. It’s now a vital center of political, military, and strategic power—and we ignore it at our own risk.
Moody’s reporting is rich, immersive, and compelling. Drawing from interviews with heads of state, military leaders, intelligence officers, and everyday citizens, he pieces together a sweeping portrait of a region that has weathered occupation, transformation, and reinvention. One of the book’s strongest arguments is that the Baltic countries offer something the West urgently needs right now: resilience, adaptability, and clarity.
Take Estonia, for instance—a country whose startup scene gave the world Bolt and Skype. Or Finland, quietly leading on environmental innovation. These nations aren’t just surviving—they’re showing the way forward. Moody argues that these societies, once on the frontlines of 20th-century upheaval, now sit on a different kind of frontline: the digital, ecological, and geopolitical struggles of the 21st century.
The book also reads as a warning. With ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe and Russia’s aggressive posture, Moody describes the Baltic as a potential flashpoint. But instead of leaning into fear, he celebrates the courage, creativity, and calm preparedness of these countries—qualities that many of us in Western Europe might envy.
What I found particularly moving is how Moody captures not just the politics of the region but the human spirit behind it. Whether he’s reporting from a windswept coastal town or sitting down with a prime minister, he’s attuned to the texture of daily life, the quiet optimism, and the deep sense of history that guides these societies.
This isn’t a dry policy book. It’s alive with storytelling, deeply informed, and brilliantly argued. It makes you want to visit the region, not just to see the landscapes, but to understand the minds shaping a new Europe.
Bottom line: Baltic is essential reading for anyone who loves thoughtful travel, cares about the future of Europe, or just enjoys a smart, well-told story about places that matter more than we think.