Customer Reviews (4)

Masterclass in history
Banac established himself as one of the great Yugoslav historians with this book. If you don't believe me, the review extracts - by some truely big gun historians - on the back page of the paperback edition should easily convince you.

Several aspects of this book place it firmly on the top shelf. The first is Banac's mastery of sources. Footnote lovers will rejoice in the detail he offers. He seems to have an awareness of every book, every phamplet, every statistic, every obscure poem ever published in the former Yugoslavia. The second is his ability as a writer. Banac is simply a great stylist.His ability to extract from his sources - be they statistics on one page and poetry on the next - and weave them seamlessly into a gripping narrative is truely spectacular.

The book is essentially divided into two parts. The first is a long and detailed chronology of the rise of national consciousnes come national identities and ideologies amongst the Yugoslavs up till the creation of the Yugoslav state. This background sets the stage for the following disection of the newly formed state and the various political actors and ideas that it comprised.

Banac essentially sees Yugoslavia as a doomed construction and attributes its instability to the historically shaped competing national ideolgies developed by Yugoslavia's key nations. However, Banac places key culpability on the Serbian vision/s for Yugoslavia which he sees as limited, authoritarian and self defeating for both Serbs and non-Serbs.

This book smashes a popular and simple myth held outside Yugoslavia that the Serbs were pro-Yugoslav and established Yugoslavia and the Croats were pro-Austrian, anti-Serb and anti-Yugoslav. Banac gives a detailed account of how the Yugoslav idea was a child of Croatian cultural and political exhertion. This, along with generous descriptions Croat Serbopilia does not make it popular with Croatian nationalists who want to believe Yugoslavia was a cage fashioned by Serbian and British hands. Nor does the book appeal to Serb nationalists who require their nation to be the selfless creator of Yugoslavia and sole victim of its creation via ungratefull and unjustified treachery by its non-Serb population.

Banac has been accused of Croatian nationalist and anti-Serb leanings. These are accusations that must be countered. The book does give a strong Croatian perspective. In my view, this was long overdue as this perspective was both unjustly tainted and censored following the atrocities committed in the name of the puppet and so-called "Independent State of Croatia" in WWII. Banac may be too smitten by Stjepan Radic, he may not fully engage with Slobodan Jovanovic's arguement that the Croats essentially brought an obstructionist political culture into the new state but he does give the most comprehensive and critical account of far right Croatian nationalism and his burning repulsion is plainly evident - as evident as his human rights campaigns in Tudjman's Croatia and his protestation against the anti-Serb and anti-Bosnian Muslim policies of the Tudjman regime.

Anyone doubting Banac's objective credentials should be silenced by the quote from the great Serbian-American historian and author of the magnificent A History of Modern Serbia, Michael Boro Petrovich, who states that this book is the "most comprehensive, judicious and objective account of the origins, development, and politics of the Yugoslav national question up to the aftermath of World War I that exists in any language".

This book is simply a masterpiece and a must have acquisition for any student of Yugoslav history. Read it and you will not only understand the beginings of Yugoslavia - but also its demise in the 1990s.

Interesting, but focuses upon short time period
Very interesting and useful, even though it focuses on the short (but pivotally important) time period of 1918-1921.

A seminal work
This is perhaps one of the best books on thenational/nationalist problems that have beset the former Yugoslaviasince its formation after World War I. In fact, the author primarily analyzes the short period during and immediately after the establishment of Yugoslavia in 1918, his central thesis being that the overlapping nationalist ideologies and problems which appeared then were never directly addressed and continued to plague the country (all up until its disintegration in 1990 and even afterwards)."The National Question in Yugoslavia" extensively describes the nationalisms of all Yugoslav peoples, not just the Croats.Also, since the work focuses on the early 1920s, it would have been pointless to discuss the origins of the Croatian Ustasha, since this ultra-nationalist fascist movement only emerged about ten years later. In the same vein, one could criticize this book for not providing a deeper exploration of the origins of the Serbian Chetnik movement... This is definitely THE book to read if you want a better understanding of the problems and rivalries that existed in Yugoslavia and led to the violent break-up of that country twice: during World War II and at the beginning of the 1990s.

Good detail on croation political dynamics upto WW2
A while since I read this book. Useful detail of croatian political dynamics dating from mid/late C19 to late 1930's. Avoids any real detail on the rise to power of the Ustashe movement.The content tries to be objective and suceeds to a certain extent. ... Read more

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Nearly twenty years after it ceased to exist as a multinational federation, Yugoslavia still has the power to provoke controversy and debate. Bringing together contributions from twelve of the leading scholars of modern and contemporary South East Europe, this volume explores the history of Yugoslavia from creation to dissolution.

Drawing on the very latest historical research, this book explains how the country came about, how it evolved and why, eventually, it failed. From the start of the twentieth century, through the First World War, the interwar years and the Second World War, to the road to socialism under President Tito and the wars of Yugoslav succession in the 1990s, this volume provides up to date analysis of the causes and consequences of a range of events that shaped the development of this remarkable state across its various iterations. The book concludes by examining post-conflict relations in the era of European integration.

Traversing ninety years of history, this volume presents a fascinating story of how a country that once served as the model for multiethnic states around the world has now become a byword for ethno-national fragmentation and conflict.

Contributors include Dejan Djokić, James Ker-Lindsay, Connie Robinson, Mark Cornwall, John Paul Newman, Tomislav Dulić, Stevan K. Pavlowitch, Dejan Jović, Nebojša Vladisavljević, Florian Bieber, Jasna Dragović-Soso and Eric Gordy.

Product Description
Gender Politics in the Western Balkans traces the development of women's consciousness in the lands of the South Slavs from the early years of the twentieth century, on the eve of the creation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, to the situation during and after the Serbian Insurrectionary War of 1991-95. The book embraces historical chapters, contemporary political analyses, and cultural studies (focusing on literature and religion).Socialist Yugoslavia undertook a relatively unusual experiment during the forty-six years of its existence (1945-91) to eliminate the sources of social, economic, and gender inequality while laying the foundation for a society in which women and men could enjoy complete equality in politics, in education and careers, and in family life. Although the aspiration was shared with other communist countries, Yugoslavia gave its experiment a unique twist by linking its program with institutional changes to be realized through self-management organs and a complicated delegate system. The socialist system represented an improvement where gender equality was concerned over the pre-existing system associated with the interwar Kingdom of Yugoslavia, but it did not fulfill its promises.Recognizing the need for a book that surveys the experience of South Slav women during the twentieth century, Sabrina Ramet commissioned essays from leading scholars in East European/Yugoslav studies and women s studies for this volume. The resulting collection is arranged in rough chronological order, covering primarily Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia from before World War II until present day. Topics covered include the structures of traditional society, gender relations in the interwar period, anti-fascist organizations, the socialist experience, and issues connected to post-socialist politics and the war, making this the most comprehensive and up-to-date book on the subject.Contributors are Andrei Simic, Thomas A. Emmert, Vlasta Jalusic, Barbara Jancar-Webster, Tanja Pavlovic, Zarana Papic, Julie Mertus, Obrad Kesic, Regan Ralph, Dorothy Thomas, Gordana Crnkovic, Mart Bax, Branka Magas, and Sabrina Ramet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Much needed contribution to neglected topic
For the most part, the contributions in this collection are very informative and useful studies of various aspects of gender issues in the former Yugoslavia. If nothing else, it's refreshing to see a book that covers such a chronically under-studied topic. The first article on the `traditional' Yugoslav family by anthropologist Andrei Simic, although first published in 1983, was a good choice to head this selection of studies. His observations of some typical aspects of family relations and the gender roles therein provide a good basis for understanding other gender-related issues. Most of the other articles deal with a specific region or former Yugoslav republic (i.e. Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, etc.) Among the best is an article by Julie Mertus on women in Kosovo. She illustrates the many problems faced by Albanian women activists, particularly the deep and sometimes self-induced repression exercised by this extremely patriarchal society. The examples she cites from her fieldwork are very illuminating. Two articles by Gordana Crnkovic are particularly interesting, and too short in my opinion. Both deal with literature as this pertains to gender: the first covers mainly Serbian and Croatian women authors, while the second deals with the way women are portrayed in literature. The afterward by Branka Magaš is also helpful in that it ties together some of the common themes. ... Read more

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As the Second World War drew to a close, European borders were being redrawn. The regions of Istria, Dalmatia, and Venezia Giulia, nominally Italian but at various times also belonging to Austria and Germany, fell under the rule of Yugoslavia and its dictator Marshal Tito. The ensuing removal and genocide of Italians from these regions had been little explored or even discussed until 1999, when the esteemed Italian journalist Arrigo Petacco wrote L'esodo: La tragedia negata degli italiani d'Istria, Dalmazia e Venezia Giulia. Now this story is available in English as A Tragedy Revealed.

Petacco explains the history of the regions and how they were shifted between empires for centuries. The greater part of the story however details the genocidal program of the Yugoslav Communist government toward the native Italians in the regions. Based on previously unavailable archival documents and oral accounts from people who were there, Petacco reveals the events and exposes the Italian government?s mishandling ? and then official silence on ? the situation. This is a riveting work on a little-known, tragic event written by one of Italy?s most highly regarded journalists.

Customer Reviews (1)

A Tragedy Revealed
This book did an excellent job of exposing one of the great atrocities of our time. It gave voice to the suffering of a people who were rejected and denied by their own country. Those who survived are validated by the historical and personal accounts presented in this book. You cannot read it without being profoundly touched or changed in some way. ... Read more

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The Air War over Kosovo opens with an exploration of the ethnic conflict in the Balkans. From this foundation, the book examines the weapons systems that were utilized. The author scrutinize the missiles employed, review the diverse bomber systems used, and highlight the nuances of the air lift operations. Additionally, the author explores the tactics and strategies that the American military administration designed and implemented over the Balkans. The author studied specific missions and scrutinize the memories and experiences of Lt. General Michael Short, General Charles Horner and General Wesley K. Clark to proffer an overview of the scope of this air-directed campaign. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Sloppy Work
Whether or not the author got the facts (mostly) right, the grammar is so bad as to make the book almost unreadable. This guy is a professor? Bad news for academia! The writing is so bad that it makes you wonder if his reporting of facts and opinions is as badly flawed. The maps and graphics are obviously poorly reproduced copies of military briefing slides. They are so poorly rendered that they are almost illegible. This is a really bad book! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A gripping, dark, and forcefully honest presentation
Ably translated by Thomas J. Butler and Saba Risaluddin, A Muslim Woman In Tito's Yugoslavia by Munevera Hadzisehovic is the gripping and true story of a woman who observed first hand the horrific Serbian injustice toward Muslims; the callousness of the Communist Party toward a hard-working citizenry, as well as the detrimental and destabilizing effects of an intolerant state government. A gripping, dark, and forcefully honest presentation of social ills from a personal point of view, A Muslim Woman In Tito's Yugoslavia is recommended for inclusion in Islamic Studies, International Studies, and 20th Century European History reference library collections. ... Read more

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This work aims to explore the history of the Yugoslav idea, or "Yugoslavism", between the state's existence creation in 1918 and its dissolution in the early 1990s. The key theme that emerges is that Yugoslavism was a fluid concept, understood differently at different times by different Yugoslav nations, leaders and social groups. There was no single definition of who and what was (or was not) "Yugoslav" and this perhaps indirectly contributed to the ultimate failure of the Yugoslav idea and with it the Yugoslav state. The volume presents a specially-commissioned collection of essays which is divided into five sections: "Context"; "Nations"; "Leaders and Institutions"; "Intellectuals"; and "Alternatives". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent effort by Djokic
Just as his book about the interwar Yugoslavia, this volume is an excellent testimony for an idea that formed lives of many people of the Balkans; some were willing participants some were more than happy for it to finally fail. This meticulously edited book by Djokic is a must for everybody trying to understand the attitudes and the thinking of people involved in it at different times. What it shows, to me, is how clueless was the supposed intellectual elite of the country: not only they never agreed on most things anyway, none of them had the personality nor charisma to provide leadership during crucial moments of the existence of the country itself. This was not only true for the interwar state but also for the state after the second world war... Bravo Djokic, I want more (and soon please!)! ... Read more

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The disintegration of Yugoslavia was the result of many factors, not of a single one, but the primary one, the author argues, was commitment of the Yugoslav political elite to the Marxist ideology of withering away of the state. Ideology had a central place in Yugoslav politics. The trend of decentralization of Yugoslavia was not primarily motivated by reasons of ethnic politics, but by Marxist beliefs that the state should be decentralized and weakened until it was finally replaced by a self-managing society, especially the case during the extended period of the last 15 years before the actual breakdown of the Yugoslav socialist federation. Yugoslavia: A State that Withered Away examines the emergence, implementation, crisis, and the breakdown of the fourth (Kardeljs) constitutive concept of Yugoslavia (19741990), and relations between anti-statist ideology of self-management and the actual collapse of state institutions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

great book
Most western media portray Yugoslavia as a country ruled by the strong hand of Tito which, after his death, fell victim to the nationalism promoted by Milosevic.

Jovic's book gives a much more down to earth perspective of things and clears the air of many of the popular myths about the Yugoslav demise. It also stays away from judging who was right or wrong looking back on the decision from today's view point. It's a scientific text which is very easy to read.

I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about post WWII Yugoslavia. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent monograph.
An excellent monograph by an outstanding scholar ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not bad
the content is a little old for now.
Therefore, the author should amend it to include new documents.
Please give us new information and fresh thinkings. ... Read more

Product Description
A leading Yugoslav dissident offers valuable insights into the demise of communism and the bloody mayhem that followed in its wake. The collapse of communism in Europe liberated Yugoslavia only to see it plunge into a brutal civil war between religious, ethnic, and nationalist factions. Why did communism's non-violent end ignite a nationalist war that has exacted such a high price in human suffering? International affairs scholar Svetozar Stojanovi - a member of the famous Praxis group that resisted the communists has studied the developments in his war-torn homeland. He examines the internal and external factors that forced the transition from communist rule to democracy and a free-market economy. His insider's, behind-the-scenes look at the internal power struggles that pull factions in various directions, examines the cultural weaknesses of communism, the "capitalist encirclement" of Marxist-socialist economies, communism's ideological decay, and the roles played by Gorbachev and Yeltsin. "The Fall of Yugoslavia" also examines the international reaction to these historic developments.Stojanovi urges the West not to fall victim to a "triumphalistic temptation", with as yet unforeseen consequences, but to anticipate and face the problems in this volatile Yugoslav region. ... Read more

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Fall of Yugoslavia
The author, a professor from Serbia, analyzes his experiences as a dissident against the former Communist government of Yugoslavia, and the government of Slobodan Milosevic, emphasizing the required nationalism ofany viable opposition, and attempting to rehabilitate his academiccolleague Dobrica Cosic as well as other associates.At the same time, theauthor thoroughly and convincingly condemns exclusionary and militaristicnationalism, as obsolete and mortally dangerous tomankind.Not anarrative of the disintegration of Yugoslavia, this book insteadillustrates dilemmas facing Western-democratically inclined intellectualsin Serbia. ... Read more

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For over 50 years the Red Cross has fiercely protected its independence, operating in theatres of conflict with the support of governments worldwide. Yet recent wars - from Somalia to the Balkans - have seen the Red Cross forced to work ever closer with the United Nations and other agencies, jeopardising its independent status and threatening its neutrality. In the 1990s, just how independent is the Red Cross? Focussing on the role of the Red Cross in the Balkan wars, this book scrutinizes the success and failure of all humanitarian organizations, in their attempts to preserve oases of peace and provide emergency assistance to war victims. Written by a senior Red Cross staff member, the book questions the wisdom of attempting to mitigate manmade disasters with humanitarian aid when warring parties appear to do little more than lie about their activities and engage in "abject political conduct". Mercier provides a history of Red Cross presence in the former Yugoslavia during the conflict and identifies key moments and events to examine the changing role of humanitiarian aid in the region in the face of a weakening sense of responsibility on the part of the international community. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from East European Quarterly, published by East European Quarterly on June 22, 2002. The length of the article is 8150 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: National liberations in former Yugoslavia: when will they end?
Author: Aleksandar Pavkovic
Publication: East European Quarterly (Refereed)
Date: June 22, 2002
Publisher: East European Quarterly
Volume: 36Issue: 2Page: 227(22)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

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The Author, a member of a secular, non-practicing, Jewish family, is 12 years old when the Germans occupy former Yugoslavia. His family hides in a small village and eventually joins Tito’s guerrilla. At 14 years of age he is appointed a military courier, given an outdated Italian gun and sent alone to roam through mountains, forests, and small villages of Croatia. Eventually, by orders and against his wishes, in the middle of the night, he boards an airplane that takes him to Italy. He manages to return back to Croatia, and after the war studies hard, makes up lost high school classes, and graduates on time from the medical school. Just when things start looking good, his father breaks down under the Communist pressure and the author is forced to take refuge in Bosnia. There he learns a lot about medicine and the slow-paced, oblique Bosnian culture: Everything is different than it seems, asking questions is not polite, and seeking the truth is a waste of time.This is a story of how a youngster coped with Fascism and Communism and how extraordinary events can bring out the worst and the best in ordinary people. How the author to keep himself sane in the turmoil learned to see the funny side of things, to understand what makes people tick, to keep both eyes open, and when the going got really rough- to recite poetry. This is also a story of two brothers who, facing the same difficulties, became very different adults and of a son who unwittingly repeats his father’s history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

This book is creating more buzz among Croatians than any oth
Stunningly powerful, this tragedy and triumph of a non-practicing Jewish family portrays a happy and privileged family life dedicated to medicine and intellectual pursuits. All that changed in late May of 1941, when first German motorcycle with machine guns arrived practically in front of their home. Forced to run and hide, first from Germans and soon from Ustashe, Julius family with two sons barely survives attacks and joins resistance.
The parents, father a doctor and mother a nurse, worked day and night to save wounded communist partisans. Their youngest son Stevo, the author, at age 14 is appointed a military courier, given an outdated gun, and sent to roam alone through mountains, forests, and small rural villages of Croatia. Their older son, 18-year-old bravely defends the territory of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Severely wounded, caught by Germans, he talks his way out with fluent German.
"Neither Red Nor Dead" is an inside story, full of details and naming names among 481 pages, explaining why communism failed in Croatia and former Yugoslavia (now referred to as f-Y).
After the WWII, in 1953, the Julius family suffers a fatal blow, when dirty communist politics in Zagreb pins the father, a hard working and totally dedicated head of a hospital, against the wall with false accusations. Meddling into hospital administration in a typical communist style, Dr. Julius sees no way out and commits suicide.
The elder son dedicates his life to the communist ideals, but when he critizes Slobodan Milosevic (now a war criminal), he is considered a persona non grata in the country he loved so much. He dies from cancer.
The author, Stevo Julius, educated in Croatia is now internationally recognized as one of the leading scientists in the field of hypertension.

Submitted by Katarina Tepesh

Alas Yugoslavia!
Neither Red nor Dead, an autobiographical memoir by Dr. Stevo Julius (Medvista, Ann Arbor, MI, www.medvistaa.com, Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com) is a great read! The author, who is an internationally known researcher in the field of hypertension, is now the Frederick G.L. Huetwell Professor of Hypertension at the University of Michigan. He describes his childhood growing up in a Yugoslavia that was occupied by the Nazis during World War II. He is separated from his family, becomes involved in the Partisan resistance, and then suffers excruciating hardship under the post-war Communist regime. Despite such difficulties, he survives and even thrives under these career-threatening circumstances.

His story is told in fine detail but with great charm, humor, and optimism. The descriptions of the Yugoslavian countryside, people, cities and politics are extremely informative and well written. The text maintained my intense interest throughout the 481 pages. Accompanying the text are maps showing specific areas of the country where the action takes place. One small concern here is that many of the towns are not depicted on the maps and so the most intricate details of his travels cannot be carefully examined.

While most of the account takes place in Yugoslavia, only the Epilogue deals with the author�s leaving the country for Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. Unlike the rest of the book, the facts leading up to this emigration are less detailed. The last chapter, The South Slavs, is an historical primer, which describes the background of the establishment of the Yugoslavian country after World War I. The author clearly displays the reasons for the internal strife, which has so damaged this territory in the past decade. I might suggest that the interested reader read this chapter first to better prepare for the unfolding of this fascinating memoir.

Dr. Julius maintains his wonderful humor, humility and sense of family and country throughout the book. There are many interesting literary details (stories and poems) included in the text.Most importantly, the writing is not at all medically oriented, so that readers of any background can enjoy the book. After reading it, besides offering it to my friends, I found that I would very much like to meet the author and shake his hand...

A Wonder-Filled Life
Reading this book has added greatly to my understanding of a significant set of social and political events in the Balkans.It is more important, though, in providing insight into the ways in which individuals cope and grow through being part of those events.

Prof. Julius is a wonderful scientist and clinician.This book addresses issues well beyond medicine and science.

For the American, Prof Julius' book provides a the history of the Balkan peoples and describes the maelstrom there during and after World War II.Often our histories overlook this region.Through his eyes, the very unique state of post-WWII Yugoslavia becomes plausible.Secondarily, more recent events in the area are more understandable.

However, it is the experience seen through the lives of his father, mother, and brother that capture the imagination in a unique manner.The struggle of the individual within large social and political movements is captivating.Late at night, when I wake from sleep, I often wonder about one or more of young Stevo's experiences described in the book.It is a life well-lived and aspects of his life will always remain with me.

More Than the Story of One Man
As a reader with only a vague awareness, understanding, or even interest in Yugoslavia and the history of the south Slavs, Julius' book not only opened my eyes to that part of the world but also enhanced my strong feelings of empathy for persons ensnared in the horrors and anomalies of war.His reminiscences of how he handled his ordeal are lively, pointed, and get to the heart of how people react in times of great upheaval.In spite of the serious character of this autobiography, the author was able to see the humorous side of the human condition.Maps and a brief history primer help explain the geography and the times.Not only for history buffs, this book gives all readers a better perception of events in a part of the world that has moved from relative obscurity to major importance in present times.

The Making of a Superstar: From Horror to Life-saver
Have you ever wondered what motivates those who make great contributions to society? Neither Red Nor Dead is the mesmerizing autobiographical account of a young teen-ager caught up in the horror of the Nazi invasion of Yugoslavia during World War II. Blessed with intelligence, incredible insight, perhaps an overabundance of courage and much luck, the author describes in great detail the activities of Yugoslavian partisans and a young boy, largely separated from his family during this horrible time. After the end of World War II the author and his family attempted to reconstruct some semblance of a normal life during the equally terrifying Communist takeover. We follow the trauma of life during the author's education in University and Medical School with amazement, laughter and sadness. It is difficult to put this captivating and fast-moving account down. What makes the epic so much more incredible is the recognition that despite the difficulties and personal loss sustained during this period, the author developed a keen sense of humor and used his brilliance and insight to make many major contributions to the benefit of mankind. This is the personal story of one of the great hypertension (high blood pressure) researchers of our age to whom hundreds, even thousands of people are indebted for his services as a physician, teacher, researcher and friend. ... Read more