The Fall of Yugoslavia: The Third Balkan War Book

This is an okay book - 3.5 stars.

I've read several works by Misha, including the The Balkans and The Battle for Rio, both later and more complete works. I was quite impressed by what he wrote, so I decided to give this one a look, too.

In a way, The Fall of Yugoslavia is a precursor to The Balkans, which was written a good decade later, and provides a wider and less confused look at the region and its recent wars. The Fall is a sort of memoir, written primarily during 1991-1993, with some extras added in 1995 and 1996. Thus, it doesn't cover the entire conflict, and isn't a comprehensive view of the story. Misha also seems to have developed his understanding of the Balkan Boogaloo while writing, so it's mostly work in progress, and feels rough at times.

Now, that said, this is still a good book. What makes up for gaps in the political and historical narrative, and the fact there's no closure, is more than made up for by excellent writing style, tons of anecdotes, and rather unforgiving descriptions of the different Balkan politicians and military figures. Ample derogatives are used liberally, and Misha doesn't shy away from a direct, and rather quite emotional condemnation of persons, which is atypical for history works. But then, for someone who had lived in the region, his is a personal, emotional book.

Misha tries to give some sense to the utter confusion that led to the war, the reasons and not-reasons, and the great mishaps of the international community. I think he sheds light on some rather intriguing phenomena, and some of his stories offer a unique insight I've not read elsewhere. On the other hand, some of the leap-to-conclusions feel a little far fetched, but this could just be that lack of closure and 20,000-feet view after the conflict.

Anyway, despite its flaws, The Fall of Yugoslavia is still a very good book. It's a bit short, and, as I wrote, incomplete, but the "gonzo" style is quite compelling. Entertaining, sad, tragic, absurb, and revealing. It also sheds light on Macedonia and Albania, which are often overlooked as side players. It talks about politicians who didn't make the headlines but whose work and influence still shaped the region and its wars regardless.

Recommended, but you may be left with an itchy sense once done reading - which is why you ought to grab Misha's full history work on the region next, as that one really does cover the wider story and gives a better overall picture of the Balkans in the late 20th century. However, you should read this one too, because it has such silly intimate stories that are not included in the more somber and aloof 200-year thesis. There.

Igor