Croatia: A nation forged in war, 2nd ed.

Book abstract:

This book is an account of Croatia from medieval times to 2001. The author draws on his own experience as Balkan correspondent for the newspaper, The Independent, from 1988 to 1994 and also material from interviews with recent leading figures in the Croatian conflicts. This is an updated second edition of the book that includes events since the death of President Franjo Tudjman.

The book provides a chronological history of Croatia beginning by charting the migration of the Croats to the area that we now know as Croatia on the Dalmatian coast. The importance in history of Croatia's geographical position on the border between Central Europe and the Balkans is emphasised as well as it also being on the border between the Mediterranean world and continental Europe. Emphasis is also placed on its place on a religious and cultural border between Eastern, Byzantine Christendom and the Latin West. The author shows how being such a border country has contributed to conflicts throughout its history right up to the most recent conflicts in the Balkans. The book concludes with three chapters which outline the main political and historical events from 1989 that led up to and occurred during and after the Balkan conflict including reference to the author's own experience in Croatia.

The book aims to fill a gap in literature about the Balkans by focusing specifically on Croatia and placing recent events there in the context of its history. The book would be suited to those seeking an introduction to the country's history.