The Price of Bosnia: Articles, Statements and Public Appearances, 1992-1995

The Price of Bosnia compiles writings by historian Ivo Banac during the Bosnian War from 1992-1995. This collection brings together Banac's articles, public statements, and speeches from this critical period in Balkan history. The book presents a contemporaneous view of the conflict through the lens of a Croatian-American scholar deeply connected to the region. Banac's pieces address the political developments, international responses, and humanitarian crisis as they occurred in real-time. The writings trace the war's progression while examining its historical context and the complex dynamics between ethnic groups in the former Yugoslavia. Much of the content focuses on the role of international intervention and the responsibilities of Western powers during the conflict. The collection offers insights into how intellectuals and academics engaged with and interpreted the Bosnian War as it unfolded, raising questions about nationalism, state sovereignty, and the prevention of ethnic violence in modern Europe. These writings continue to hold relevance for understanding both the specific conflict and broader patterns of ethnic tension and state dissolution.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Ivo Banac's overall work: University students and scholars cite Banac's "The National Question in Yugoslavia" as detailed and thorough, though many note its dense academic writing requires significant background knowledge. Readers praise his use of primary sources and analysis of ethnic identity formation. Readers liked: - Comprehensive coverage of Yugoslav national movements - Detailed documentation and archival research - Clear explanation of complex historical relationships Readers disliked: - Heavy academic prose that can be difficult to follow - Assumes substantial prior knowledge of Balkan history - Limited accessibility for general audiences On Goodreads, "The National Question in Yugoslavia" has a 4.2/5 rating from 45 reviews. Academic reviewers frequently reference it as a key scholarly text, though student reviewers often mention struggling with its complexity. Amazon reviews (12 total) average 4.0/5, with multiple readers noting it works better as a reference than a continuous read. Note: Review data is limited since most of Banac's work appears in academic publications that don't typically gather public reviews.

Death and the Dervish by Meša Selimović This novel examines Bosnia's religious and cultural tensions through a dervish's moral crisis during Ottoman rule.

Black Lamb and Grey Falcon by Rebecca West This travelogue chronicles Yugoslavia's ethnic complexities and political tensions in the years leading to World War II.

Bosnia: A Short History by Noel Malcolm The book traces Bosnia's history from medieval times through the Yugoslav Wars with focus on ethnic relations and political developments.

The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andrić This chronicle follows four centuries of Bosnian history through the story of a bridge in Višegrad and its surrounding community.

Yugoslavia: Death of a Nation by Laura Silber This account documents the collapse of Yugoslavia and the subsequent wars through interviews with key political figures and civilians.

🔹 Author Ivo Banac served as Minister of Environmental Protection in Croatia from 2003-2004 and was a professor of history at Yale University for over three decades. 🔹 The book collects articles written during the Bosnian War (1992-1995), one of the bloodiest conflicts in post-WWII European history, resulting in approximately 100,000 casualties. 🔹 Banac's writings challenged both Serbian and Croatian nationalist narratives about Bosnia, advocating instead for a multicultural, unified Bosnian state. 🔹 The author drew parallels between the medieval Bosnian Kingdom's religious tolerance and the potential for modern Bosnia's multiethnic coexistence. 🔹 The collected articles were originally published in various newspapers and journals, including prominent Croatian publications like Feral Tribune and Novi List, providing contemporary analysis as events unfolded.