I find myself in the peculiar position of disapproving, distrusting, rejecting, and fearing nationalism wherever it exists, but at the same time recognizing its immense power, which must be harnessed for progress if possible. Over the last two decades, the use of the term 'nationalism' has increased sharply with the rise of nationalist parties. In this collection of texts by historian Eric Hobsbawm on nationalism, we see some of the definitive historical insights he offers on this controversial topic, which is more relevant than ever as we stand on the threshold of an era where the internet and the globalization of capital threaten to dissolve many national borders while, in reaction, nationalism seems to be emerging with renewed strength. More than any other historian of our time, Hobsbawm took great care to seriously examine these movements and never dismissed nationalism and patriotism as merely monstrous. The clarity of his thought is as vital today as it was during his lifetime: Nationalism is an essential work for anyone who wants to understand the phenomenon.