Customer Reviews

Imagining the Balkans

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As a longtime student of Dr Todorova's (I was under her tutelage for about four years and still correspond with her today), I found this book to be an excellent synopsis of her personal and professional opinions and anecdotes concerning the Balkans. It was like taking my class notes and one-on-one discussions, sifting out the dates, places and events and putting a binding on them. All of her cultural theory regarding this singular region of the world is evident in the pages of Imagining the Balkans. I would suggest a thorough knowledge of Edward Said's Orientalism and at least a cursory reading of Foucault's works before jumping into this work. Maria shows little mercy for the uninitiated and this tendency become all too evident in her most recent work. For students of Balkan history, ethnocentrism, culture clashes and human nature, this work is both compelling and fascinating. This book should not be your introduction to the politics of the Balkans because it teaches us more about how those of us in the West (especially historians, political scientists and travelers) view ourselves using the mirror of the "Other."

"Imagining the Balkans" is an examination and critical analysis of perceptions of the Balkans, both by outsiders and Balkan residents. In this, Todorova emphasizes the concept of Balkanism, similar to Edward Said's Orientalism, but with some crucial differences - the main ones being that the Balkans are a more concrete concept than the rather vague "Orient," and the lack of a clear `us vs. them' dichotomy between the Balkans and the `West' (Balkan peoples are white, and largely Christian). The first chapter provides an extremely useful and informative exploration of the origins of the very word Balkan and the geographic area it was/is meant to designate over the years. The following chapters provide a historical survey and critical analysis of how the Balkans were defined and perceived, mainly by outsiders, but also by the peoples of the Balkans. There is also a much-needed critique of the concept of Central Europe which first emerged during the early 1980s. Perhaps the only shortcoming involves Todorova's frequent emphasis on her native Bulgaria and her apparent lack of expertise in relation to Yugoslavia; thus, discussion of the entire Balkans vs. Europe debate in places like Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Slovenia is completely ignored. Even more surprising is the complete lack of critical treatment of Rebecca West's "Black Lamb and Grey Falcon," perhaps one of the central texts of 20th century `Balkanism.' Nevertheless, "Imagining the Balkans" is a valuable, thought-provoking and fascinating book - one of the most important, although implicit points Todorova seems to make is that it is generally pointless, illogical and often ludicrous to imbue geographic/regional locations with a number of value-ridden stereotypes and cultural, `civilizational' designations, even as people constantly need to create such categories.

It is clear from the outset that the author, an academic, wrote this book for consumption by other academics. It certainly provides a comprehensive, well-researched look at the history of perceptions, misconceptions, and stereotypes that have been applied to the region now commonly referred to as the Balkans. There is no doubt that it is important to understand how and why different aspects of Balkan identities evolved over time, and Todorova should be commended for contributing to the base of knowledge on the subject.

Unfortunately, the amount of source material that she uses becomes so much fluff and padding as the reader wades through the chapters. She probably could have said what she needed to say in about half the space; the rest just comes off as academic posturing. I would even go so far as to characterize some of it as haughty intellectualism.

Had this book not been on the required-reading list for a graduate school course, I would not have purchased it knowing what I know now. Bottom line: it is not a very accessible book. Regrettably, I cannot suggest an alternative volume for someone interested in learning more about this topic.

To cut to the chase of the argument, I suggest focusing on chapter 7 and the conclusion.

Reader, beware: it will take a lot of patience (or generous doses of skimming) to get through this one.

This short study examines perceptions of the Balkans-both within the region and by outsiders-and how the region's image has changed over time. She analyzes the effects that those perceptions have had in shaping the underlying reality. This is rather an advanced work and will sometimes prove difficult reading for the nonspecialist. The author points to a certain hypocrisy in how Western Europe-just five decades after its own ethnic cleansing-views ethnic homogenization processes in the Balkans. At the same time, Todorova would not allow Balkan political leaders and intellectuals to shift blame and responsibility for their own actions to history, to foreign intervention or to five centuries of Ottoman occupation.

Maria Todorova wrote an excellent book, which is a thorough review of the political history of the Balkan Peninsula. She explains the various political interests that have always been at play in that region.The author also qoutes different foreign travellers, diplomats, and writers showing their attitudes to the countries and the nations of the Balkans. The first part of the book (the first three chapters) will be specially interesting for larger audience while the rest of the book is more theoretical. Given the current events concerning the Balkans, and especially the disintegration of former Yugoslavia, this book will be of great help to students of history, political history, their teachers and intellectuals in general.

Todorova's book changed the way I viewed the Balkans. By analysing the way in which Balkan and Western Europeans wrote about the Balkans, "Imagining the Balkans" shows how this peninsula became the recipient of totally negative and pejoritve notions about Europe. Todorova deals well with some writers sentimentality, and over romanticization which unfortunetly persists today and leads not to understanding but to confusion of the issues. Old metaphores such as "the Balkan Pouder Keg" are shown to be only a way of dismissing a whole group of people as "irrational peasants." Although quit heavy in theory, a worth while read for any serious history student.

Todorova's book changed the way I viewed the Balkans. By analysing the way in which Balkan and Western European wrote about the Balkans, "Imagining the Balkans" shows how this peninsula became the recipient of totally negative and pejoritve notions about Europe. Todorova deals well with some writers sentimentality, and over romanticization which unfortunetly persists today and leads not to understanding but to cinfusion of the issues. Old metaphores such as "the Balkan Pouder Keg" are shown to be only a way of dismissing a whole group of people as "irrational peasants." Although quit heavy in theory, a worth while read for any serious history student.

This book is really the classic in the field of Balkan studies and is a must read for all students and researchers working in this region. It is a bit jargon-y at times, but the clarity with which Todorova applies the Saidian paradigm to the Balkans is a starting place for any scholarship.

I thought this book read like it was translated form a foreign language several times before it got to english. I spent so much time and effort trying to quote decipher references and credits I found it very difficult to read. It seemed like every sentence started outlike this "According to Inyuc Geronovitch on page three of his book ......." I think it may have been a good book but it was so distracting to read. I did not finish it. I did not even get through the first chapter I left it on an airplane. There is no way you can Imagine the Balkins with this book it is an absolute chore to read. I would like to tell the author to put up your thesaurus (we know you can use big words) use foot notes do not start every sentence with with some credit to someone. Try to be less of a far out creative writer. AND JUST TELL THE STORY