The Balkans

"The first comprehensive history of the relationship in the modern era between the great powers and the various Balkan peoples." (San Francisco Chronicle) - This unique and lively history of Balkan geopolitics since the early nineteenth century gives readers the essential historical background to recent 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. Misha Glenny presents a lucid and fair-minded account of each national group in the Balkans and its struggle for statehood. The narrative is studded with sharply observed portraits of kings, guerrillas, bandits, generals, and politicians. Glenny also explores the often-catastrophic relationship between the Balkans and the Great Powers, raising some disturbing questions about Western intervention. Author Biography: Misha Glenny was for many years the BBC's World Service's Central Europe correspondent. His The Fall of Yugoslavia was honored with the Overseas Press Club Award for Best Book on Foreign Affairs.