Balkan Ghosts (Vintage Departures)
by Robert D. Kaplan
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Read in September, 2006
Every once in awhile I tell you about a great book I've read that might be of interest to you. If you've been enjoying reading about my exploits and adventures here in Central Eastern Europe, you should read Robert Kaplan's 1993 classic, Balkan Ghosts. Even though he's an American (as my close friend Milos from Serbia has pointed out a few times), this book has been an extraordinary primer for the history of a region that has been so influential in global politics.
Its not an area of the worl...more
Its not an area of the worl...more
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Read in June, 1995
This book is a great history and written very well. But Kaplan's assessment of the Balkans as a powder keg that had been waiting to blow for decades rings false. He believes that the genocide and civil war is due to the nature of this place in the crossroads of many cultures and the different groups of people that live there. He believes that there is too much history for these people to get beyond and that without a strong man like Tito, the population was bound to fracture.
Peter Maass' ...more
Peter Maass' ...more
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Read in February, 2008
Not the best travel book about the Balkans. I think it got an unfair boost when Clinton was seen reading it. It's jumpy in rhythm and conclusions. Kaplan makes acute observations and extrapolates them to be indicative of an entire culture the way any traveler might, but as a travel writer I think he should have delved deeper before jumping to some of his conclusions.
Also, because the book is really more a composition of articles from the Atlantic than a travelogue, it is often repetitive, us...more
Also, because the book is really more a composition of articles from the Atlantic than a travelogue, it is often repetitive, us...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
history-lovers, travelers
This is a wondeful survey of the history (still very much in the making) of the Balkan states, including Croatia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Greece. I travelled to Croatia and found it a fascinating read once I returned home. It's a fantastic book for anyone who wants to understand the powder keg that exploded in the 1990's in the old Yugoslavia. The history of the area is very complex, and the author does a great job of explaining how the interaction of various tribes and inv...more
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Read in March, 2008
A good introduction to much Balkan history over the past century, uncomfortably mixed with a travel narrative which tries, much too hard, to be literary. I liked that Kaplan tried to include as much nuance as possible in his historical descriptions, and he seems to feel a connection to the places he describes. Unfortunately, that connection seems to be founded more on a sensationalist understanding of the area than a realistic connection with all types of people.
(Also, and I have to add this...more
(Also, and I have to add this...more
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Read in January, 1997
A rather dark overview of the Balkans, but once the book of choice for those venturing into Europe's heart of darkness in the 90's, the former republic of Yugoslavia, and trying to get a basic grasp of the peoples and issues on the plane ride in. I read it on the road to Kosovo, during the war there between the KLA and the Yugoslav Army. There are better books, if you're willing to spend quality time reading them, but if you're just trying to establish a base line to draw from, this will do nice...more
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Read in May, 2005
recommends it for:
plum brandy lovers
I read this book while on tour in the Balkans, in an attempt to make my reading and my waking life combine in a flourish. It worked (partially) because this is an approachable, well-written, layman's guide to the tumultuous and often confusing history of this region. You get the feeling that Kaplan considers himself a modern Indiana Jones and can't wait to regale you with tales of how bad-ass he is, but that's survivable. An excellent starter pack with some slivovice. Naroc!
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Balkan Ghosts is an impressionistic tour de force of the Balkans but it doesn't come near Rebecca West's masterpiece Black Lamb and Gray Falcon
This new edition includes six opinion pieces written by Robert Kaplan about the Balkans between l996 and 2000, beginning just after the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords and ending after the conclusion of the Kosovo war, with the removal of Slobodan Milosevic from power
This new edition includes six opinion pieces written by Robert Kaplan about the Balkans between l996 and 2000, beginning just after the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords and ending after the conclusion of the Kosovo war, with the removal of Slobodan Milosevic from power
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Read in January, 1995
I have read this book twice. The first time was in 1995 when I lived in Sweden and studied the language with mostly Balkan classmates. In the US we learn so little about this area of Europe in our history classes. For anyone who wants to have a better understanding of what happened in the 1990s in Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, etc. this is an excellent book. Well-written and understandable, while at the same time informative.
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Read in October, 2007
There is very much an 'outsiders' perspective in many ways on the cultural turmoil of the region, but the interviews he does with locals during his travels are really interesting. If only the history pieces didn't seem to have some spin or editorial feel to them. I think as I continue to read on the Balkans and former Yugoslavian region, I will work harder to find works from those native to the area.
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Read in March, 1997
recommends it for:
International Affairs, History readers
First read on a trip to Hungary during a college trip and at the time I had a tough time getting into this book but Kaplan is a well researched reporter and brings a strong perspective to this book on the conflicts of this region. I would recommend to anyone studying the area but not sure it would be as useful now that the conflict has subsided and NATO boots are patroling the area.
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Read in May, 1999
This is the first book I read by Robert Kaplan. I have now read many more, and I heard him speak at Politics and Prose here in DC. As far as I am concerned, he is a national treasure. His careful, honest reporting is reflected on every page. In this one, he travels throughout the Balkans interviewing and observing and writing what he finds. I highly recommend it.
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I didn't get very far into this as I was already reading a number of other book but primarily because at the very start he indicated he didn't really focus on Bosnia and I guess that discouraged me from reading past the intro. I'll probably return to it at a later point but right now it's already 5 days overdue to the library.
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Read in September, 2002
recommends it for:
Travel Writing Enthusiasts
This book is a clear example of what can go wrong when a travel writer (or anyone else for that matter) strays too far from his or her area of expertise. Kaplan writes very well, and he's clearly a well-traveled reporter, but his conclusions--they've always been fighting, they always will be--are overdrawn.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in May, 1997
A friend gave me this book as I deployed in B-H during SFOR/IFOR. This is essential reading to understand this turbulent area. The book is dark and brooding while not all the Balkans are quite so depressing. Romania was a delight and Bulgaria was a fine stay. Read this but don't write the area off.
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So far so good. It's long but the writing style is entertaining. It's a bit confusing but that can't be helped. the region itself is more than a little confusing. The countries involved have changed names probably 6 times since the book was written. A good history of the Balkans.
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Read in August, 2000
Robert Kaplan is by far my favorite contemporary writer of non-fiction. He weaves a story of amazing hues and patterns, enabling the reader to learn and be entertained at the same time. This was the first Kaplan book I read and my favorite so far. Balkan mystery - not anymore.
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Read in October, 2006
Great mix of ancient and current history, as well as travel stories. Apparently Clinton used this book to brief himself on what was going on in the Balkans in the 1990s. A must read for fans of European history.
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There's some penetrating and fascinating stuff in here based on Kaplan's travels all over the Balkans. He sometimes tries a little too hard to fit the messy history into consistent themes and patterns.
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Read in September, 1996
The Balkans. Dracula's home--and now I see why. I read about 3/4's of this book but a waaay too depressing and negative side for me. He does show where and why a lot of hate is generated.
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