L. Benson, "Yugoslavia: A Concise History" (repost)

The fate of Yugoslavia (or what remains of Yugoslavia) can be seen as a wake-up call for the rest of Europe. After two world wars –triggered, to a large extent, by intranational and international ethnic hatreds–it was often assumed that Europe had moved beyond such petty concerns. Yugoslavia, a melange of Croats, Serbs, Slovenes, and other minorities emancipated from the ruins of the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires, seemed a success story. Yet, after the death of Tito, in 1980, the old ethnic hatreds emerged, stoked by opportunistic, nationalist politicians, including Slobodan Milosevic. Benson is professor of history at University College, Northampton, England, and his easily digestible and highly informative survey traces Yugoslav history from the birth of the nation after World War I to its ongoing dissolution over the past two decades. This is a fast-moving narrative history, which glosses over many cultural developments. However, Benson shows great insight in illustrating the historical and cultural factors that prevented true national unity from taking hold in this tortured land. Jay Freeman
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'Energetically written and thoroughly researched, his book provides an excellent overview of the history of this ill-fated country for the general reader. His challenges to historiographical common wisdom will also make scholars sit up and take notice'. - John Allcock, Bradford University

'[This] easily digestible and highly informative survey traces Yugoslav history from the birth of the nation after World War I to its ongoing dissolution over the past two decades…Benson shows great insight in illustrating the historical and cultural factors that prevented true national unity from taking hold of this tortured land.' - Jay Freeman, BOOKLIST