Balkans - Recommend a book?
Discussion
A book titled 'The Serbs' by Tim Judah and published by Yale University Press (ISBN No.0-300-08507-9) is worth a read. Another good, but heavy-going book is 'Flag on the Mountain' by a Croatian author called Ivo Zanic. It's published by SAQI (ISBN No. 0-86356-815-7 or 978-0-86356-815-2).
I've been interested in the politics of the region since 2002. I started travelling to Croatia, Bosnia (both the Federation and the Republic), Slovenia and Montenegro back then for botanical study and I've been there thirteen times now.
Although I've been lurking on this site now for a couple of years (I am a petrolhead), it was this thread which spurred me on to join up.
I've been interested in the politics of the region since 2002. I started travelling to Croatia, Bosnia (both the Federation and the Republic), Slovenia and Montenegro back then for botanical study and I've been there thirteen times now.
Although I've been lurking on this site now for a couple of years (I am a petrolhead), it was this thread which spurred me on to join up.
Edited by Tim74 on Monday 11th August 14:05
Tim74 said:
A book titled 'The Serbs' by Tim Judah and published by Yale University Press (ISBN No.0-300-08507-9) is worth a read. Another good, but heavy-going book is 'Flag on the Mountain' by a Croatian author called Ivo Zanic. It's published by SAQI (ISBN No. 0-86356-815-7 or 978-0-86356-815-2).
I've been interested in the politics of the region since 2002. I started travelling to Croatia, Bosnia (both the Federation and the Republic), Slovenia and Montenegro back then for botanical study and I've been there thirteen times now.
Although I've been lurking on this site now for a couple of years (I am a petrolhead), it was this thread which spurred me on to join up.
Ah well thanks for taking the time to reply - i'll try and check at least one of these out. Whole area fasciantes me but does seem very confusing! I've been interested in the politics of the region since 2002. I started travelling to Croatia, Bosnia (both the Federation and the Republic), Slovenia and Montenegro back then for botanical study and I've been there thirteen times now.
Although I've been lurking on this site now for a couple of years (I am a petrolhead), it was this thread which spurred me on to join up.
Edited by Tim74 on Monday 11th August 14:05
The first book I mentioned will probably be the better choice. It's not heavy-going and it deals with the 1990's conflict only, whereas the latter book is spanned across a much larger timescale.
It's worth visiting the area too if you are really that interested. Wizzair fly into Zagreb for as little as £40 return. It's still pretty depressing in some of the inland regions; bombed houses, often riddled with bullet holes, and minefields are common. The people are fantastic though and that's a consistent trait throughout the region.
I honestly thought I was the only person interested in all of this...
What is it precisely that you are interested in? Just the conflict or the region as a whole?
It's worth visiting the area too if you are really that interested. Wizzair fly into Zagreb for as little as £40 return. It's still pretty depressing in some of the inland regions; bombed houses, often riddled with bullet holes, and minefields are common. The people are fantastic though and that's a consistent trait throughout the region.
I honestly thought I was the only person interested in all of this...
What is it precisely that you are interested in? Just the conflict or the region as a whole?
Tim74 said:
The first book I mentioned will probably be the better choice. It's not heavy-going and it deals with the 1990's conflict only, whereas the latter book is spanned across a much larger timescale.
It's worth visiting the area too if you are really that interested. Wizzair fly into Zagreb for as little as £40 return. It's still pretty depressing in some of the inland regions; bombed houses, often riddled with bullet holes, and minefields are common. The people are fantastic though and that's a consistent trait throughout the region.
I honestly thought I was the only person interested in all of this...
What is it precisely that you are interested in? Just the conflict or the region as a whole?
To be honest its mainly the conflict - when it was taking place it piqued my interest, but i never really read into it. And with all the different aspects / pariticpants etc it seems quite confusing!It's worth visiting the area too if you are really that interested. Wizzair fly into Zagreb for as little as £40 return. It's still pretty depressing in some of the inland regions; bombed houses, often riddled with bullet holes, and minefields are common. The people are fantastic though and that's a consistent trait throughout the region.
I honestly thought I was the only person interested in all of this...
What is it precisely that you are interested in? Just the conflict or the region as a whole?
Then the arrest of Milosevic the other year and then it all being dragged up again in the last few weeks.
I never realised just how long it went on for.... my memory of it seem to consist mainly of the Nato compaign, I didn't realise the Sarajevo had been blockaded for so long.
If i was to visit - Montenegro looks lovely as to get out there i'd have to combine it with a holiday for this missus!
Edited by dan1981 on Monday 11th August 15:58
It was and still is confusing. People out there do seem to be a little more willing to talk about it nowadays though. There is still tension; the only time I've ever felt threatened has been whilst I've been driving through/or looking at plants in a Serb village in Croatia or northwest Bosnia. Don't get me wrong, it's nothing to do with Serbs being bad people, or worse than Bosnian muslims or Croats, but more to do with me driving through or being in Serb villages which are inhabited by returnees and who are basically a minority population surrounded by people of a different ethnicity. These people are highly suspicious of someone driving through their village in a Zagreb registered car. I had a very close call in Croatia (near Plitvice where the first victim of the conflict died) back in 2006 but that's a whole different story...
Montenegro is a fantastic place; the scenery is wonderful. I've been down around there twice this year. If you do ever go, fly into Dubrovnik Airport and stay in a place a couple of miles away called Cavtat. You are only 15 minutes away from Dubrovnik old town (an amazing place well worth a day or two) and only 20 minutes or so away from the border with Montenegro. The border there is very relaxed and you'll get through quickly. The whole Kotor Bay region is very nice, not too built up (yet!) and the mountains north of the bay are worth a look too. Anyway, I'm droning... great to have found this topic.
Montenegro is a fantastic place; the scenery is wonderful. I've been down around there twice this year. If you do ever go, fly into Dubrovnik Airport and stay in a place a couple of miles away called Cavtat. You are only 15 minutes away from Dubrovnik old town (an amazing place well worth a day or two) and only 20 minutes or so away from the border with Montenegro. The border there is very relaxed and you'll get through quickly. The whole Kotor Bay region is very nice, not too built up (yet!) and the mountains north of the bay are worth a look too. Anyway, I'm droning... great to have found this topic.
Simpo Two said:
Tito united them and called it Yugoslavia. Then Tito died and they all started fighting each other. Then the UN came in and bombed a TV station, then they captured the nasty General. No idea what's going on now.
Ah well thats that sorted. Glad i didn't buy the book!
And thanks again Tim - i'll check out one of the books. oh and welcome to PH.
Tim74 said:
It was and still is confusing. People out there do seem to be a little more willing to talk about it nowadays though. There is still tension; the only time I've ever felt threatened has been whilst I've been driving through/or looking at plants in a Serb village in Croatia or northwest Bosnia. Don't get me wrong, it's nothing to do with Serbs being bad people, or worse than Bosnian muslims or Croats, but more to do with me driving through or being in Serb villages which are inhabited by returnees and who are basically a minority population surrounded by people of a different ethnicity. These people are highly suspicious of someone driving through their village in a Zagreb registered car. I had a very close call in Croatia (near Plitvice where the first victim of the conflict died) back in 2006 but that's a whole different story...
Montenegro is a fantastic place; the scenery is wonderful. I've been down around there twice this year. If you do ever go, fly into Dubrovnik Airport and stay in a place a couple of miles away called Cavtat. You are only 15 minutes away from Dubrovnik old town (an amazing place well worth a day or two) and only 20 minutes or so away from the border with Montenegro. The border there is very relaxed and you'll get through quickly. The whole Kotor Bay region is very nice, not too built up (yet!) and the mountains north of the bay are worth a look too. Anyway, I'm droning... great to have found this topic.
I think the new Bond film features a lot of Montenegro. I suspect it wont be so beautiful and unspoilt for long...Montenegro is a fantastic place; the scenery is wonderful. I've been down around there twice this year. If you do ever go, fly into Dubrovnik Airport and stay in a place a couple of miles away called Cavtat. You are only 15 minutes away from Dubrovnik old town (an amazing place well worth a day or two) and only 20 minutes or so away from the border with Montenegro. The border there is very relaxed and you'll get through quickly. The whole Kotor Bay region is very nice, not too built up (yet!) and the mountains north of the bay are worth a look too. Anyway, I'm droning... great to have found this topic.
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