Wartime: A Key Leader's Insider Account of Tito's Partisan Forces and the Campaign in World War II Yugoslavia

by Milovan Djilas, Michael Boro Petrovich (Translator)

An account of the partisan campaign in Yugoslavia during World War II, written from the author's unique perspective-as a key leader of Tito's forces.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War, World War II, Memoir

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Milovan Đilas was a prolific political writer and former Yugoslav communist official remembered for his disillusionment with communism. Much of his work has been translated into English from Serbian. He was, above all, a literary artist. In several of his books, Djilas proclaimed himself a writer by vocation, and a politician only under the pressure of events.

Reviews

[Vladimir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping, graphic. Shows dedicated conspiring fanatism of a communist and brutal realities of war. Impressed me in showing a link between communist and orthodox Christian egalitarianism. Also interesting reference to weak encryption partisans used on Sutjeska.

Much more impactful in Serbian original, as Djilas had a rich and localisms ladden vocabulary.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milovan Djilas paints a welcomingly honest portrait in his memoir of his partisan activities during the Second World War in Yugoslavia. Much of the action takes place in Bosnia, where ambushes and unbroken marches over rough terrain were the norm. Unflinching, Djilas is open about the massacres and retributions carried out by the partisans but also dispenses with any moralizing about many of them - war is something that can only be experienced.

He expresses his views as they were then and captures the spirit of what a revolution is like. The highs, the lows and the ecstasy of working towards something entirely new. There are his time spent with the various leaders - Rankovic, Kovacevic and of course Tito, whom Djilas portrays as a genial yet at times moody man of great resolve and total poise. Tito never wavered and lead the partisans as a symbol of perseverance.

The best writing occurs when Djilas allows his exceptional prose to shine in his descriptions of the country side, the natural beauty, the teeming cities and towns of the Fraternal Nations which he visits and loves so much.

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

World War II in Yugoslavia by one of Marshall Titos closes companions. Essential for understand the ethnic diversity and hostilties that led to the disintegration and bloodshed in the former country,

Well translated.

[Dusan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent account of the 2nd World War in Montenegro.