In the Wake of the Balkan Myth: Questions of Identity and Modernity

The epitome of the myth, says Norris (Serbian and Croatian studies, U. of Nottingham) is the total destruction of civilization and a return to an atavistic, pre-modern state; and its promulgators are foreigners who assume themselves superior and know little about local realities. He points out its appearance in recent novels and movies about the region and its wars, and characterizes it as cultural colonialism that began over 150 years ago and continues to the latest news reports. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)