Yugoslavia: A Concise History
- Book Review,
by Leslie Benson
From Booklist
The fate of Yugoslavia (or what remains of Yugoslavia) can be seen as a wake-up call for the rest of Europe. After two world wars --triggered, to a large extent, by intranational and international ethnic hatreds--it was often assumed that Europe had moved beyond such petty concerns. Yugoslavia, a melange of Croats, Serbs, Slovenes, and other minorities emancipated from the ruins of the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires, seemed a success story. Yet, after the death of Tito, in 1980, the old ethnic hatreds emerged, stoked by opportunistic, nationalist politicians, including Slobodan Milosevic. Benson is professor of history at University College, Northampton, England, and his easily digestible and highly informative survey traces Yugoslav history from the birth of the nation after World War I to its ongoing dissolution over the past two decades. This is a fast-moving narrative history, which glosses over many cultural developments. However, Benson shows great insight in illustrating the historical and cultural factors that prevented true national unity from taking hold in this tortured land. Jay Freeman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
John Allcock, Bradford University
Energetically written and thoroughly researched, his book provides an excellent overview of the history of this ill-fated country.
Review
“Energetically written and thoroughly researched, his book provides an excellent overview of the history of this ill-fated country.” —John Allcock, Bradford University
“...easily digestible and highly informative survey...shows great insight ...” —Booklist
This is a useful introduction to a complicated subject.
-Choice
Review
"[This] easily digestible and highly informative survey traces Yugoslav history from the birth of the nation after World War I to its ongoing dissolution over the past two decades. . . Benson shows great insight in illustrating the historical and cultural factors that prevented true national unity from taking hold of this tortured land."--Jay Freeman, Booklist
Book Description
Today, only Serbia and (for now) Montenegro are what remain of the republics that once constituted Yugoslavia. The former Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, named Yugoslavia in 1929, has been a flashpoint of violence, terror, ethnic strife, and failed politics—and a mirror on the conflicts of the 20th century. From the first Serbian uprising against the Turks in 1804 to the coming trial and likely fate of Slobodan Milosevic, Leslie Benson provides a clear, concise guide to the making and unmaking of a nation, and what it means for a new century of nationalist conflicts.
About the Author
Leslie Benson is Professor of History at University College Northampton. He lives in the United Kingdom.
Buy from Amazon
Compare Prices
|
|
Home
