This major new work by Professor Anthony D. Smith challenges the notion of nationalism as a product of modernity. Major new work by a leading historical sociologistChallenges the prevailing idea of nationalism as a product of modernityDemonstrates that different political forms of community and collective identity from pre-modern times have contributed to the formation and character of nationsAnalyzes the chronology and nature of nations, from the ancient world, to the European Middle Ages, the early modern, and the modern erasDiscusses alternative destinies facing modern nations today