The Macedonian Conflict

Danforth, an anthropologist, takes one through the ferociously juxtaposed claims and counterclaims, and he explains why the issues set people off with such intensity by fitting the case into modern anthropological thought about national identity, ethnic nationalism, and the role of culture...Danforth struggles mightily to maintain his scholarly detachment amid one of the more explosive topics in the universe, and for the most part he succeeds. -- Foreign Affairs A significant contribution both theoretically to the study of ethnic and national identity and specifically to those interested in Balkan politics. -- Adamantia Pollis, American Political Science Review A superb case study both of the conflict between nationalism and ethnic aspirations and of the curious parallelisms in their development... It is a level-headed, humane, and very timely political intervention in a quarrel that continually threatens to become more than a war of words. -- Journal of Modern Greek Studies [An] engaging, original, timely, and conscientiously written study... This is a well-written work and a major contribution to the study of national consciousness and nation-building. -- Philip Shashko, American Historical Review Loring Danforth humanizes the Macedonian conflict, shows us real people as they live this conflict, and makes clear that, despite its unique features, this struggle over ethnic and national identity is shared with other groups throughout the world. A good, rapid read filled with the fruit of first-rate, on-the-scene digging into people's lives. -- Lou Panov, The Boston Book Review