The Balkans: Nationalism, War, and the Great Powers, 1804-2011

This unique history of Balkan geopolitics since the 19th century gives readers essential background to recent events in the war-torn area. It also explains the origins of the modern countries, from Serbia and Bosnia to Romania and Albania, and is studded with portraits of kings, politicians, and guerrillas. Maps.
A newly revised and updated edition of an award-winning BBC correspondent's magisterial history of the Balkan region This unique and lively history of Balkan geopolitics since the early nineteenth century gives readers the essential historical background to more than one hundred years of events in this war-torn area. No other book covers the entire region, or offers such profound insights into the roots of Balkan violence, or explains so vividly the origins of modern Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Albania. Now updated to include the fall of Slobodan Milosevic, the capture of all indicted war criminals from the Yugoslav wars, and each state's quest for legitimacy in the European Union, The Balkans explores the often catastrophic relationship between the Balkans and the Great Powers, raising some disturbing questions about Western intervention.