Tracing the transformation of the country from its formation in 1918 to the current issues facing its successor states in the twenty-first century, the book explores the internal and external forces that shaped Yugoslavia and the lives of its varied peoples.

It also helps illuminate key questions about the 'construction' of modern states, and the nature of nationalism and identity in shaping society and politics. The first part of the book describes the background to the formation of Yugoslavia at the end of the First World War from Serbia, Montenegro, and the former Slavic provinces of the Austro-Hungarian empire.

It then moves chronologically through the different phases of the country's history.

Invaded by Axis powers in the Second World War, the country emerged from a long guerilla war as a Communist republic but refused to bow to direct Soviet control.

After the Soviet collapse in 1991, the country disintegrated into bloody civil war as most of the constituent groups of the former republic declared independence.

The name 'Yugoslavia' was finally abolished in 2003, giving way to the independent successor states Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, and most recently Kosovo.

This book examines the experiences of the different social groups living in the former Yugoslavia, showing how an understanding of the past helps makes sense of the region today.