Book Review - Kosovo: A Short History by Noel Malcolm

If you're interested in coming to Kosovo but if you don't know anything about the country; or if you're interested in Balkan history, then I suggest you read Noel Malcolm's "Kosovo: A Short History." Malcolm offers a comprehensive look inside the history of Kosovo from its incorporation into the Serbian kingdom, to Ottoman rule, and then its eventual independence. The book is extremely informative; however, some academics feel that it is quite biased as Malcolm's book seems more sympathetic towards the Albanians cause. Personally since I have both Serbian and Albanian friends, I try to keep my political opinions neutral when it comes to analyzing Serbian - Kosovar affairs, but I honestly felt that Malcolm's book was an excellent, and fair depiction of Kosovo's complex history. Malcolm also has a clear, and concise writing style, which many other historical non-fiction writers have a hard time producing as most other non-fiction, historical works can be quite dry and dull. Fortunately, I was able to finish this book before arriving in Kosovo, which made me feel much more knowledgeable. about the current state of affairs. If you do decide to get your hands on a copy of this book, I also recommend "Bosnia: A Short History," which is another book by Malcolm and is equally as entertaining. Overall, I truly feel that this book is definitely worth the purchase and if you haven't traveled to the Balkans yet, these books will undoubtedly inspire you to visit!