Raamatu teksti on koostanud ja pildivaliku teinud Ago Pajur ja Tõnu Tannberg. Raamat on valminud Eesti Vabariigi 100. sünnipäevaks.
Raamatu ilmumist toetas Riigikantselei.
By the beginning of the 20th century, the Estonian
territories had already been under Russian supremacy for two hundred years, and
there was nothing to indicate an end to Russia's domination. The Estonian
people were too few in number (one million) to independently shake themselves
loose from Russia, nor was such an aim ever formulated. However, in a few
generations the situa- tion had quickly changed for the Estonians. The national
awakening that began in the second half of the 19th century shaped a more self-aware
nation from the thus far inert Estonian country folk. In terms of education and
cultural development, Estonians were significantly ahead of the average levels
in the Russian Empire, so they were gradually better and better prepared for
having a say in the economic development of their homeland.
