Ivan Lovrenovic: Bosnia: a Cultural History (2003)
This might be the cleverest history book ever written! 3000 years of history along one of Europe's cultural faultlines in under 200 pages. Lovrenovic's ability to summarise the story, to offer opinions without being pushy, to give you multiple points of view of a complex situation is extraordinary. Orthodox and Catholic, Christian and Muslim, Communist and capitalist, Bosniak and Serb: Lovrenovic gives all their due. The book itself is a model of communication: beautiful, relevant illustrations, clear and helpful maps and glossary. The events he describes are often tragic yet the author remains optimistic '"Bosnian"... is the name for the process of civilization.' In this the summer of lockdown, take your mind to the mountains, shed those prejudices and above all admire the view.
