Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History (New Edition) Paperback – Illustrated, 14 April 2005

Balkan Ghosts is a book that defies categorization. In part a travel memoir, in part a historical critique, and in part an analysis of the then political climate. Balkan Ghosts displays an excellent synergy of the above as it does much more than take the reader on, as the title suggests, a journey through history, but rather one is rewarded a stimulating and aesthetic treat, a book that one does not simply digest, but one lives. Kaplan brings a writing and storytelling style all of his own, something I had become familiar with in his most reason Monsoon, and to a lesser extent in his more ideological treatise Warrior Politics. However, it must be noted that Balkan Ghosts became the travel reading of President Clinton, some say an influence on his Yugoslavia policy, for better or worse, and coincidentally the book that put Kaplan on the map. Published in 1993, before the worst of the wars in the former Yugoslavia had yet to happen, Balkan Ghosts is as much a study of countries often forgotten in the Western mind amidst the more immediate chaos of the past 20 years. Within these volumes Kaplan examines the poverty and eccentric chaos of Ceausescu's Romania, and its difficult transition under the badly remodelled National Salvation Front, the authoritarian nature of Moscow's closest Eastern Bloc ally Bulgaria, and the eccentric nature of 1980s Greece under Andreas Papandreou. Balkan Ghosts begins in Croatia, examining the fusion between Croat nationalism and Catholic identity, with a sympathetic portrayal of the controversial Bishop Stepinac, and then taking us to Serbia and the emerging problem of Kosovo, and how this breakaway province is the historical heart of Serbia, yet stolen by history. Whether Kaplan is taking us through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia or even his long term home of 1980s Greece, one is given the full visual and atmospheric delight. The foods and drinks with which the insightful conversations are all inscribed, the atmosphere down to the living conditions. One is given an immersion into a travel memoir that one lives with the author. At the same time, Kaplan weaves his historical narrative with expert skill, and in many ways demonstrates a unique form of writing, perhaps the most educational travel memoir I have ever read. A truly unique and groundbreaking book, Balkan Ghosts is a rare treat, both a history book and a travel memoir that provides the reader with total sensory immersion. Unforgettable.

Expected more coverage of BiH but it was an interesting introduction to the wider Balkans

This book opens your eyes on the Balkans and clarifies multiple points on why they are the way they are now from historical perspective. I liked the way of travel guide mixed in it. All in all truly a gem to read to understand modern world better.

A fascinating account of the Balkans just before the Yugoslav civil war. It shows how Soviet communism merely froze long established conflicts in the region, which surfaced again after the fall of the Berlin Wall. These conflicts can be traced back for centuries through the Ottoman Empire and before. A rather gloomy book, but fascinating nevertheless. Of great interest to anyone with even a small knowledge of European history.

A stunning overview of the history and emotions in the Balkans. A must read for any one who desires to understand the region. (or fun to read before you travel there)

This feedback box is really really irritating. If I don't want to leave any written feedback, which i do not want to, i should not be forced to do so. After today, I will not rate suppliers anymore - which is not my preferred option. Wake up, Amazon.

The author is an American of Jewish origin. The motivation for writing the book was, most probably, to cash in on his previous knowledge and exposure to the region.The main thesis of the book is that "longue durée" history matters and that the Balkan countries are different in a fundamental way from Western European ones, which is hardly an original thesis.His travel in the region is a pretext to provide evidence for that thesis and, in addition, to present the ethnic animosities that existed (and still exist) between the Balkan nations.He also likes to bring an outsider's point of view when he investigates the history of the persecution of the Jews in the region, especially in Greece and Romania, and how that history is remembered, or in fact ignored. (The situation has been redressed now in Romania and the history of anti-Semitism and the genocide of the Romanian Jews is taught in schools.)His depiction of Romania of the year 1990 is fairly accurate by my recollections. He got the taste of the country right! It is also fascinating to notice how similar is his subjective experience of Romania with those of other Anglo-Saxon travel writers of the past. It seems that countries have a "form" that is very slowly changing (if changing at all).However, he does not have the talents of a scholar and his account of the history of the countries visited is deeply flawed in the details. The broad picture is correct however, at least in the case of Romania.Nevertheless, he conveys the impression that interwar Romania was a viciously anti-Semitic country, which is, of course, untrue.His account is not complete because he neglects to mention the over-involvement of members of Romanian Jewish minority in Romanian Communist Party and the post-WWII communist regime.

rrived a little later than expected (from the USA) but the service was good.The book is a wonderful synthesis of interesting historical information, much of it little known, and a beautifully described modern travelogue of the Balkans, complete with a political overview.

I bought this for my husband because he wanted to understand the backstory of the Balkans history leading to the fall of Yugoslavia. It is a fairly objective story (albeit wordy) that explains the different sides and cultures that eventually led to the Yugoslav wars from ‘91 to ‘95.

An excellent look back at the dynamic history of the Balkans and its different cultures, religions, languages, etc that exist in so many countries packed into such a relatively small area. How can these people and countries move past their rough and tumble history and finally live in peace?

Journalist Robert Kaplan travelled through the Balkans during the late 1980s just before war broke out in the region. His travels took him to Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. This travel book includes good summaries of the history of each country and the regions with the country as well as interviews with an interesting and diverse cast of characters. What you hear from these interviews is the remarkable level of hatred simmering in the area. You also learn that what you hear for history of each area depends a lot upon who is doing the telling.Although the book includes a few essays from a later period, the book still feels dated and makes the reader hunger for an updated history.

Exceptionally written that evokes a traveller's mind. Wonderful setting with each Balkan country being discussed and described in an authentic manner.

Es una forma clara y precisa de conocer la historia tan antigua y complicada de esos pueblos que pareciera estar en el fin del mundo por la poca información que hemos tenido de ellos y de sus problemas . Libro sumamente interesante que deberíamos leer todas aquellas personas que no llegamos a comprender las convulsiones de estos últimos años y que a través de él logramos entenderse. Muy bien documentado, un trabajo de investigación excelente.