I can confirm that, in my experience of the region, Misha's perception is spot on.


Stimulating, fascinating, informative, prophetic.   April 11, 2001
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I picked up this book during the time that NATO begun bombing Serbia over the dispute for Kosovo and the Kosovo Albanians. I wanted to find out more about this troubled region.

It did not surprise me when Misha Glenny closed his book by indicating that the next Balkan Crisis would be over Kosovo. He certainly did get his facts right.

This is a higlhly informative and stimulating book. It explains the whole Balkan Crisis and tries to reason and explain the foundation of the crisis - Western Influence, ethnic differences.

A very informative book. Highly recommended.


Excellent account of the early stages of the war   December 21, 2000
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Misha Glenny shows a rare quality for a western observer of the Yugoslav tragedy: he understands peoples traditions, history and habits without prejudice. His account of the early days of the crisis is an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to go beyond the pure facts present in other works. Glenny's book allows you to visist the people as well as the places. Reading it one can feel the place...