Synopses & Reviews
With Muslim, Croatian, and Serbian journalists and historians as contributors,
Burn This House portrays the chain of events that led to the recent wars in the heart of Europe. Comprised of critical, nonnationalist voices from the former Yugoslavia, this volume elucidates the Balkan tragedy while directing attention toward the antiwar movement and the work of the independent media that have largely been ignored by the U.S. press. Updated since its first publication in 1997, this expanded edition, more relevant than ever, includes material on new developments in Kosovo.
and#9;The contributors show that, contrary to descriptions by the Western media, the roots of the warring lie not in ancient Balkan hatreds but rather in a specific set of sociopolitical circumstances that occurred after the death of Tito and culminated at the end of the Cold War. In bringing together these essays, Serbian-born sociologist Jasminka Udovicki and Village Voice Washington correspondent James Ridgeway provide essential historical background for understanding the turmoil in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo and expose the catalytic role played by the propaganda of a powerful few on all sides of what eventually became labeled an ethnic dispute.
and#9;Burn This House offers a poignant, informative, and fully up-to-date explication of the continuing Balkan tragedy.
Contributors. Sven Balas, Milan Miloseviandacute;c Branka Prpa-Jovanoviandacute;c, James Ridgeway, Stipe Sikavica, Ejub Stitkovac, Mirko Tepavac, Ivan Torov, Jasminka Udovicki, Susan Woodward
Review
andldquo;This glorious and expertly edited, collaborative volume is one of the best guides to understanding the Yugoslav war of 1991andndash;1995, providing readable historical background and balanced analyses of the war.andrdquo;andmdash;Sabrina P. Ramet, HMJ School of International Studies, University of Washington, Seattle
Synopsis
From reviews of the first edition:
"A superb collection of essays. . . . The courage, vigour, and fair-mindedness which have survived in so many Yugoslavs through years of war and hysterical propaganda are all on display in "Burn This House, " by far the best book on the conflict that I have read so far."--Richard West, "Times Literary Supplement"
"Udovicki and Ridgeway refuse to view the Yugoslavian conflict solely through the lens of ethnic hatred. They have collected local and international perspectives on a range of topics--media wars, the strange role of Tudjman, resistance in Serbia--that culminate in a complex portrait of the economic and political crisis that triggered the war."--"Village Voice
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Synopsis
An account of the rise and fall of Yugoslavia by the people who live there. The pieces have been written by the people protesting in the streets of Belgrade now, the voices of the antiwar opposition regardless of ethnic background.
About the Author
Jasminka Udovicki is Professor of Sociology at the Massachusetts College of Art.
James Ridgeway is Washington correspondent for the Village Voice.