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amberderuyt's review against another edition
4.0
Thorough and well written, a great introduction to the history of the Balkans for anyone visiting for the first time.
anastasia_caramel's review against another edition
3.0
I read (or rather listened to this book) because my Romanian friend recommended it to me, since I was interested in learning more about the Balkans.
It was an interesting read. But I do have some issues with the book.
It completely ignores the presence of Cossacks and Ukrainians during the Middle Ages. Even though Ukraine wasn’t part of Moscow (russian) empire until 17th century.
If the author can’t give an empire it’s proper name then I’m not sure how credible he is on the subject.
Plus, he says about how good soviet union was for industrialization of the Balkans. But barely speaks about the horrors that it created at the same time. For example, like forced collectivization and gulags.
I guess as a quick review for the region this book is okay. But it has its issues as well.
It was an interesting read. But I do have some issues with the book.
It completely ignores the presence of Cossacks and Ukrainians during the Middle Ages. Even though Ukraine wasn’t part of Moscow (russian) empire until 17th century.
If the author can’t give an empire it’s proper name then I’m not sure how credible he is on the subject.
Plus, he says about how good soviet union was for industrialization of the Balkans. But barely speaks about the horrors that it created at the same time. For example, like forced collectivization and gulags.
I guess as a quick review for the region this book is okay. But it has its issues as well.
rylora's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Pareceu ser um livro muito bom para fazer o apanhado dos Balcãs. A análise sobre a evolução da noção de nacionalidade e a forma como a Europa Ocidental se tenta demarcar da violência dos Balcãs colocaram muita coisa em perspetiva!
hollysmith54's review against another edition
3.0
Love the Balkans, picked this up in Nepal just after leaving my Balkan tour. Pretty dry writing so wouldn’t recommend to non history fans - my enthusiasm to learn and recent experience of the region certainly carried my motivation to keep reading.
ashade's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 but rounding up to 4. Great short overview of the history of the Balkans and how the West’s perception of the Balkan states was intentionally formed by the Great Powers. Interesting thesis dispelling the myth that the Balkan’s are inherently a more violent and “barbaric” place than Western Europe and really interesting overview of religious vs ethnic identities! Would have given it a full 4 stars but it jumped around a lot and the vibes were a little more “textbook” than I wanted.
wiolettame's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
definitely dry at times but a solid short intro to a spanning period of history and gives more clarity to complexity of Balkan history