James Pettifer

Lakes and Empires in Macedonian History: Contesting the Waters tells the story of Psarades, a lakeside village in Macedonian Greece on the shores of the Prespa lake. This village, which is in many ways a completely typical Greek settlement and yet remains unconventional in its way of life, embodies the many contradictions of modern history and in exploring its roots James Pettifer and Miranda Vickers skilfully uncover the wider social, cultural and political history of this lake region.Drawing from oral testimonies and attentive to the construction of national histories, this book considers how the development of international borders, movement of people and role of national identities within imperial borderlands shaped Macedonia today. What is more, by centering the lakes and making use of an innovative environmental historical methodology, Pettifer and Vickers offer the first environmental history of this multi-ethnic borderland region shared by Greece, North Macedonia and Albania. The result is a nuanced and sophisticated transnational account of Macedonia from prehistory to the 21st century which will be essential reading for all Balkan scholars.

This collection, which includes material hitherto difficult to access, will be an essential tool for all students of the history, international relations and contemporary politics of an increasingly critical region on the interface of Europe and the Middle East.

Lakes and Empires in Macedonian History: Contesting the Waters tells the story of Psarades, a lakeside village in Macedonian Greece on the shores of the Prespa lake. This village, which is in many ways a completely typical Greek settlement and yet remains unconventional in its way of life, embodies the many contradictions of modern history and in exploring its roots James Pettifer and Miranda Vickers skilfully uncover the wider social, cultural and political history of this lake region.Drawing from oral testimonies and attentive to the construction of national histories, this book considers how the development of international borders, movement of people and role of national identities within imperial borderlands shaped Macedonia today. What is more, by centering the lakes and making use of an innovative environmental historical methodology, Pettifer and Vickers offer the first environmental history of this multi-ethnic borderland region shared by Greece, North Macedonia and Albania. The result is a nuanced and sophisticated transnational account of Macedonia from prehistory to the 21st century which will be essential reading for all Balkan scholars.

The Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, foreign invasion, communism and tribal conflict: these have been the realities of life in Northern Albania for centuries. In this rich and comprehensive history, Tom Winnifrith examines the many different elements that have shaped this independent and little-known region of the Balkans. He explores the fundamental division between the South of Albania and its mysterious, romantic North - more feudal, more tribal, more Catholic and more prone to Austrian and Italian influence. It is also a region less affected by Greece, both ancient and modern, and by medieval Byzantium or the Orthodox faith. Northern Albania, with a terrain and climate much harsher than the south of the country, has traditionally had little respect for law and authority while its inhabitants remain in thrall to an ancient honour code -- the kanun -- demanding blood feuds and terrible revenge. Nobody's Kingdom traces the history of this ruggedly beautiful region, frequently disturbed by both invaders and internal strife yet retaining a distinct national identity and character. From its origins in the ancient kingdom of Illyria and the Roman province of Illyricum, through Byzantine and Ottoman rule, the granting of Albanian independence in 1912, the rise and fall of communism to its current fragile democracy, Northern Albania can be seen as a cultural crossroads - especially remarkable given its mountainous and difficult landscape. This book, both scholarly and readable, is the first modern comprehensive history of Northern Albania and is a timely and accessible introduction to a remote and inaccessible region.

In July 1943, a twenty-one-year-old British officer, Reg Hibbert, answered a call inviting volunteers for mysterious 'parachute duties'. The call was part of a recruitment drive by Special Operations Executive, SOE, to attract likely young officers for clandestine work in the German-occupied Balkans. By December of that year, he had been parachuted into the centre of British efforts to encourage armed resistance in northern Albania. Many of the British officers sent there sensed that they were part of history in the making in this remote and extraordinary world where different groups were both defying the occupying Axis powers and competing to determine the postwar future of their homeland. Although strictly forbidden, a few kept diaries of their lives in the field. Hibbert's is the first of those secret diaries to be published. It is a personal account of fortitude describing how those young officers lived embedded with local Partisan organisations, moving from safe house to safe house, entirely reliant on the goodwill of the local people whose language they did not speak. They endured harsh mountain winters and the fierce heat of Balkan summers. Travelling on foot or horseback through some of Europe's wildest terrain, their existence was one of constant uncertainty. Some lost their lives. All were permanently changed by the experience. The pages of Hibbert's diary are peopled with figures who are now part of Albania's history and myth, many of whose lives ended in tragedy or exile after the communist Partisan victory in 1944. It is also a very human story, recording each day of Hibbert's life for nearly a year: waiting for planes to drop supplies and weapons, raising a wolf cub on condensed milk, drinking the local firewater, tending wounded Partisans and struggling with sickness. Britain's role in hastening the end of the old order in Albania and the ensuing communist regime has long been a matter of controversy. Hibbert's diary provides a rare and fascinating account of the situation on the ground as it evolved over the critical months before the German withdrawal.

Bruce Springsteen -- 'The Boss' -- has towered over the rock world since he shot to international fame with 'Born to Run' and other classics in the early 1970s. He has always been an outspoken advocate of his home state of New Jersey, which has produced many stars of stage, screen and the musical world, and was the backdrop for the international success of award-winning The Sopranos TV series. In this remarkable narrative of travel and cultural history, Oxford historian and author James Pettifer makes his own philosophical journey as a visiting scholar at Princeton University, where Springsteen's music becomes a metaphor for the nature of New Jersey society. Set within the kaleidoscope of life in the state with its rich and complex history, it takes place in the key year of 2007 with the release of the brilliant Magic album at the height of the Bush Administration and against the background of the intensifying Iraq War. This book explores the extraordinary loyalty New Jersey inspires among its cognoscenti as well as derision from its detractors. In a place of acute social contradictions, driving energy and vast differences in wealth, the glittering intellectual world of Princeton is a short Turnpike drive away from some of the most dangerous urban areas in the United States. The Jersey Shore is also a recurrent theme, with its romantic history, sinister marshlands, vast and beautiful sand dunes, and violent winter storms. In Meet You in Atlantic City James Pettifer has written a unique cultural history that will appeal to rock fans with its literary analysis of the 2007/8 Magic album tour, the last to include founder E Street Band members Danny Federici and Clarence Clemons. It is also a guide to the central role of New Jersey in American history generally, where decisive battles in the War of Independence were fought in and near Princeton, and where more recently the influence of crime and gambling on the social and economic forces that led to the Trump presidency was already in evidence.

Bruce Springsteen -- 'The Boss' -- has towered over the rock world since he shot to international fame with 'Born to Run' and other classics in the early 1970s. He has always been an outspoken advocate of his home state of New Jersey, which has produced many stars of stage, screen and the musical world, and was the backdrop for the international success of award-winning The Sopranos TV series. In this remarkable narrative of travel and cultural history, Oxford historian and author James Pettifer makes his own philosophical journey as a visiting scholar at Princeton University, where Springsteen's music becomes a metaphor for the nature of New Jersey society. Set within the kaleidoscope of life in the state with its rich and complex history, it takes place in the key year of 2007 with the release of the brilliant Magic album at the height of the Bush Administration and against the background of the intensifying Iraq War. This book explores the extraordinary loyalty New Jersey inspires among its cognoscenti as well as derision from its detractors. In a place of acute social contradictions, driving energy and vast differences in wealth, the glittering intellectual world of Princeton is a short Turnpike drive away from some of the most dangerous urban areas in the United States. The Jersey Shore is also a recurrent theme, with its romantic history, sinister marshlands, vast and beautiful sand dunes, and violent winter storms. In Meet You in Atlantic City James Pettifer has written a unique cultural history that will appeal to rock fans with its literary analysis of the 2007/8 Magic album tour, the last to include founder E Street Band members Danny Federici and Clarence Clemons. It is also a guide to the central role of New Jersey in American history generally, where decisive battles in the War of Independence were fought in and near Princeton, and where more recently the influence of crime and gambling on the social and economic forces that led to the Trump presidency was already in evidence.

The Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) was the first successful insurgent movement in Europe since the Second World War. In the struggle against Milosevic's Serbia it developed from a tiny group in the Swiss political underground in the 1980s to an 18,000 strong military force that was allied with NATO between 1997 and 1999. The KLA drew on deep historical traditions of resistance to Serbian rule in Kosova, but in other respects was highly innovative and was the first postmodern insurgency for which the image it carried in the media was almost as important as its achievements in the campaign. In this ground-breaking and innovative history, James Pettifer traces the development of the force using previously unknown documents from Russian, American, Serbian and Swiss archives, numerous interviews with participants and observers, and eye-witness material. The book focuses in particular depth on the work of the KLA leaders in secret organisations prior to the war, and how Milosevic misunderstood the nature of the opponent he was facing. This also applied to many NATO nations, who often saw the unique Kosova struggle as an extension of the earlier Bosnian and Croatian conflicts. James Pettifer draws on years of study of the region and personal knowledge of many of the KLA and other leaders involved to write what will become the standard account of the origins of the conflict.

Kosovoa's declaration of independence in 2008 and the overt manipulation of this precedent by Russia in its war with Georgia and South Ossetia shortly afterwards has focused the worlda's attention once again on the Balkans. But Albaniaa's role within the region remains little known and less understood. In this revised edition of a major work of contemporary history, two well-known and internationally-respected authorities elucidate Albania's place in the Balkans, from the explosion of violence in the 1990s, which brought the country to the brink of civil war, to the present day. The future of the Albanians in the Balkans is the most pressing issue in the region today, a fact which the West must pay close heed to if this long neglected nation is to become a European partner. Indeed, the authors argue, in this rapidly evolving political climate, failure to come to terms with the importance of the Albanian question could return the region as a whole to armed conflict.

Covers mainland Greece, the cradle of western civilization. This book includes information on developments in archaeology. It is useful for visitors to Greece who are interested in its past.

In this unique eyewitness record, James Pettifer gives a startling and evocative portrayal of the terror and fear in Kosova under the Milosevic regime. As a writer for the London Times, he witnessed major events spanning from the emergence of the Kosova Liberation Army in May 1996 to the massive refugee movements of 1998 and 1999. He recorded the ground war between the KLA and the Serbs, the NATO bombing campaign, and subsequent liberation of Kosova. Pettifer offers new insight into hitherto undisclosed links between several European governments and the Milosevic regime. Pettifer outlines the interplay between the reality on the ground and the perceptions promoted by the international media. He graphically describes the region's bleakly harsh yet beautiful landscapes. Kosova Express evokes the nightmare of Milosevic's police state and illustrates the complexities of the lives of foreign correspondents. Copublished with C. Hurst & Co, LondonWisconsin edition for sale only in North and South America, U.S. dependencies, and the Philippines.

In this unique eyewitness record, James Pettifer gives a startling and evocative portrayal of the grim and fearful world of Kosova from the imposition of martial law in 1990 till March 1999. As a writer for The Times and Wall Street Journal Europe, he witnessed most key events, from the emergence of the Kosova Liberation Army in May 1996 to the massive refugee movements of 1998 and 1999, the ground war between the KLA and the Serbs and the NATO bombing campaign and subsequent liberation of Kosovo. Many of the drama's key personalities, such as the Serb war criminal Arkan (who at one time was a Kosova MP), American diplomats (including Richard Holbrooke) and key Albanian leaders (Ibrahim Rugova and Thacim Haci) feature in this account. Kosova Express also offers new insights into the efforts of the British government to manipulate press coverage of Kosova for its own ends, and the hitherto undisclosed links between several European governments and the Milosevic regiem. The colour and humour of Kosova daily life, the region's bleakly harsh yet beautiful landscapes, and the subterranean, nightmare world of Prishtina are graphically described, as is the horrifying nature of the war aro

"One has to applaud the stylish confidence of the Blue Guide to Albania by Balkans expert James Pettifer. The guide provides a comprehensive account of the country's splendid archaeological sites and Ottoman heritage as well as less obvious points of interest" The Independent. NOTE that this is a print-on-demand edition, delivery may take approx. 3 weeks depending on the shipping address.

Our perception of Greece conjures up many potent images: an ancient civilization brought alive by fable, hillsides dotted with sunbaked villages, lazy beaches lapped by crystal blue waters, the warmth and humour of its people. Yet if we look behind the picture-postcard imagery, the painful contradictions of the country begin to emerge. James Pettifer's classic text on Greece, now revised and updated with extensive new material, argues that it is vital to understand this country's present by looking at the far-reaching effects of its troubled past. He surveys the roots of Greek social, economic and political realities with intelligence and convincing clarity.

WITH A NEW POSTSCRIPT Situated between Greece on the south, the former Yugoslavia on the north and east, and the Adriatic Sea on the west, Albania is the country the world forgot. Throughout this century, Albania has been perceived as primitive and isolationist by its neighbors to the west. When the country ended fifty years of communist rule in 1992, few outsiders took interest. Deemed unworthy of membership in the European Union and overlooked by multinational corporations, Albania stands today as one of the poorest and most ignored countries in Europe. Miranda Vickers and James Pettifer take us behind the veil of former President Enver Hoxha's isolationist policies to examine the historic events leading up to Albania's transition to a parliamentary government. Beginning with Hoxha's death in 1985, Albania traces the last decade of Albania's shaky existence, from the anarchy and chaos of the early nineties to the victory of the Democratic Alliance in 1992 and the programs of the current government.The authors provide us with an analysis of how the moral, religious, economic, political and cultural identity of the Albanian people is being redefined, and leave no question that the future of Albania is inextricably linked to the future of the Balkans as a whole. In short, they tell us why Albania matters.

Situated between Greece on the south, the former Yugoslavia on the north and east, and the Adriatic Sea on the west, Albania is the country the world forgot. Throughout this century, Albania has been perceived as primitive and isolationist by its neighbors to the west. When the country ended fifty years of communist rule in 1992, few outsiders took interest. Deemed unworthy of membership in the European Union and overlooked by multinational corporations, Albania stands today as one of the poorest and most ignored countries in Europe. Miranda Vickers and James Pettifer take us behind the veil of former President Enver Hoxha's isolationist policies to examine the historic events leading up to Albania's transition to a parliamentary government. Beginning with Hoxha's death in 1985, Albania traces the last decade of Albania's shaky existence, from the anarchy and chaos of the early nineties to the victory of the Democratic Alliance in 1992 and the programs of the current government.The authors provide us with an analysis of how the moral, religious, economic, political and cultural identity of the Albanian people is being redefined, and leave no question that the future of Albania is inextricably linked to the future of the Balkans as a whole. In short, they tell us why Albania matters.

This work analyzes the events leading to the overthrow of the one-party state in Albania, the end of communism and the transistion to democracy. It is divided into historical sections which trace the disintegration of the communist system, culminating in the "Winter of Anarchy" of 1990-91 and the fortunes of the National Unity and Democratic Party governments after 1991. It also analyzes the cultural and social impact of these changes and explores the emerging crises facing the Albanian peoples in neighbouring Kosova and Macedonia. Special attention is paid to the problems of the significant Greek minority, the crucial question of religion, the military and national security and Albania's foreign relations. The book is based on interviews, research in Albania's newly opened archives and the author's personal participation in the events they describe.

This work analyzes the events leading to the overthrow of the one-party state in Albania, the end of communism and the transistion to democracy. It is divided into historical sections which trace the disintegration of the communist system, culminating in the "Winter of Anarchy" of 1990-91 and the fortunes of the National Unity and Democratic Party governments after 1991. It also analyzes the cultural and social impact of these changes and explores the emerging crises facing the Albanian peoples in neighbouring Kosova and Macedonia. Special attention is paid to the problems of the significant Greek minority, the crucial question of religion, the military and national security and Albania's foreign relations. The book is based on interviews, research in Albania's newly opened archives and the author's personal participation in the events they describe.