Belgrade A Cultural History

by David A. Norris

Perched above the confluence of two great rivers, the Sava and Danube, Belgrade has been home to many Celts, Romans, Byzantines, Bulgars, Magyars, Ottomans and Serbs. A Turkish fortress, the focus for a Serbian principality, an intellectual and artistic center, the city grew until it became capital of Yugoslavia. Now it is one of the largest cities in south-eastern Europe and capital of the Republic of Serbia. Despite many challenges, Belgrade has resisted assimilation and created a unique cultural identity out of its many contrasting sides, sometimes with surprising consequences.

278 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 2008

Reviews

[Aljoša Harlamov]

Čisto soliden hiter pregled zgodovine nekega mesta in držav(e). Mogoče res malo mede istočasno kronološka in topološka smer (krovna zgodovina gre po obdobjih, avtor posamezno obdobje poveže s posameznim predelom mesta, nato pa vsako ulico znotraj predela še posebej kronološko predstavi). Ampak je res čisto spodoben: veliko navajanja literarnih virov, opozorila glede orientalizma zahodnih piscev, tudi sodobna zgodovina je obravnavana brez neke demonizacije itd. Ne spregleda niti kratke zgodovine Crvene zvezde in Partizana.

[Bill Perrin]

The structure the book was developed around was based on an interesting idea; but the author seemed to ignore it from time to time without any good reason. At times it seemed as though the authors wrote a series of chapters and then forced them together mixing up chronology and geography.
Another irritating presence is his childish anti-communist assertions sprinkled throughout the writing. He dismisses contexts and replaces analysis with simplistic western ideology.
Still worth the read.

[Irene]

Well written educational, vivid a city rebuilt forty times in history. Very good read.
For those whom enjoy history you will enjoy.