Delving into the troubled history of the Balkan Peninsula, this collection of essays does not shy away from the difficult issues. Seven papers by noted specialists in this region (Charles A. Frazee, Thomas A. Emmert, Snjezana Buzov, Veniamin Karakostanoglou, Basil Kondis, Spyridon Sfetas, and Stephen K. Batalden) ponder the larger implications of this fractured part of the European map. At the confluence of two continents and three major religions, the Balkans are often overlooked until the media calls attention to the troubles of the region. This book contains essays on the religious, ethnic, and political element in the conflict. Particularly timely, considerations of Kosovo’s status and the continuing crisis of what used to be called Yugoslavia are directly engaged in this study. This collection is must-read material for those interested in the history and culture of this troubled society.