The Chetniks: War and Revolution in Yugoslavia, 1941-45 (His War and Revolution in Yugoslavia, 1941-1945) Paperback – Import, 12 June 1975

This work, the first of a planned three volume series on the Second World War in Yugoslavia, is a masterly discussion of the origins, problems, fatal compromises and end of the Chetniks. The author relies heavily on the writings of people intimately involved in the civil conflict within Yugoslavia during the war, as well as allied records and those captured from the Italians and Germans. His description of the collaboration of the various Chetnik groups first with the Italians and then with the Germans is well referenced in the records of the occupying powers (the Italians and Germans), and neatly captures the dead-end street the Chetniks were led down by Mihailovic. Blanket and blatantly self-serving criticism of this publication by Serbs linked to the Chetniks and their 'Greater Serbia' goals is dealt with in detail. Despite suggestions in some quarters that the author relied heavily on his interviews with Tito (who would obviously be heavily biased) in his assessment of the Chetniks, this is not supported by the actual number of references in the book. It is a shame that the final volume on the Partisans was not completed before the author's death. The most authoritative reference on the subject by far, which should be in the library of any person with an interest in Yugoslavian history and politics, especially during WW2.

All good.