Has anybody read Black Lamb and Gray Falcon from Rebeca West?

Answer 1

What a good question :-))

Yes I have read Black Lamb and Gray Falcon... I absolutely love that book...and now you have reminded me..I will reread it..

It really is the best travelogue of the former Yugoslavia..and so much more...

She has been accused of being a Serb lover (not that ,it is a bad thing!) and romanticizing the Balkans....but I think her idiosyncratic style is very informative..And I really think she gets into the soul of the Yugoslavia

I disagree with the above answerer..and say that this book is the book to read for beginner in the Former Yugoslavia.. Whilst it may be a little old..
She has such an empathy for Yugoslavia and manages to combine cultural commentary, travel journal, and historical insight
I think it really shows the true nature of the Balkans and paints such a vivid picture.. rather than these Yugoslav war 101 books rushed out after the recent conflict.. They say nothing.. And it a shame that people think Yugoslavia is just war....

I would also recommend for all those interested in Yugoslavia to read Ivo Andric....Really his description of ottoman Bosnia..is second to none..And I think I learnt more history from him..than from many more 'weighty non fiction book'

If you want to read a book about about the recent conflict.. Death of Yugoslavia is still the best.. Or read Misha Glenny.. Or for Kosovo, Noel Malcom, Tim Judah, or Balkan Ghosts are OK..





I know that you are not a beginner in Balkan history...So I'm sure that these books I suggest. you probably already know about...

I think Edith Durham's travelogue are very interesting to read..and compare with Rebbecca West..I guess she must be the Anti-Rebbecca West because she is seen as an Albanian lover..
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/durham/albania/albania.html
http://www.geocities.com/spiritofalbania/edith.htm


I would recommend you read Vera St Erlich...'Family in transition'
http://www.amazon.com/Family-Transition-Study-Yugoslav-Villages/dp/0691093172/ref=sid_av_dp/104-9502639-1452716?ie=UTF8

and A Muslim woman in Titos yugoslavia
http://www.tamu.edu/upress/BOOKS/2003/hadzisehovic.htm

Answer 2

yes me. although i would suggest "balkan ghosts" in you are a begginer in balkan-related history books. i