In the historical and literary imagination; the Balkans loom large as a somewhat frightening and ill-defined space; often seen negatively as a region of small and spiteful peoples; racked by racial and ethnic hatred; always ready to burst into violent conflict. The Balkans in World History re-defines this space in positive terms; taking as a starting point the cultural; historical; and social threads that allow us to see this region as a coherent if complex whole. Eminent historian Andrew Wachtel here depicts the Balkans as that borderland geographical space in which four of the world's greatest civilizations have overlapped in a sustained and meaningful way to produce a complex; dynamic; sometimes combustible; multi-layered local civilization. It is the space in which the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome; of Byzantium; of Ottoman Turkey; and of Roman Catholic Europe met; clashed and sometimes combined. The history of the Balkans is thus a history of creative borrowing by local people of the various civilizations that have nominally conquered the region. Encompassing Bulgaria; Croatia; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Serbia; Montenegro; Albania; Macedonia; Greece; and European Turkey; the Balkans have absorbed many voices and traditions; resulting in one of the most complex and interesting regions on earth.
#824486 in Books Timothy Beal 2008-07-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 4.40 x .40 x 6.80l; .31 #File Name: 0195321073144 pagesReligion in America
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Store-boughtBy HHThere are some good things to be said for this book. The section that deals with the First Great Awaking and the revivals in the Cane Ridge; KY area are most interesting and informative. Beal also commendably includes information on what he calls "storefront religions;" those small and transient churches that sometimes are quite literally housed in an old strip-mall storefront. I agree with Beal that they form an important and vibrant part of the American religious scene but; unfortunately; are too often passed over in the attention given to the larger organized religion. The bibliography and further readings list are also excellent.1 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Somewhat disappointingBy Scott W. HoffmanIn this short; but sweeping survey of religion in America--both past and present; Timothy Beal provides an interesting analysis of the recent history of religious conservativism. Yet; Beal practically ignores another landmark of religion in the twentieth century; the civil rights movement. I finished the book informed; but wondering why.0 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great!!By JosephI did not have any real issues with the time it took for the book to actually come and it was in perfect condition also.
