High Albania

Actual words, where one is attempting to understand. Not just facts of history.

I really liked this book, because it's interesting on different levels. First, it is a travelogue of a journey to a region that includes parts of modern-day Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo. It was undertaken in 1908, a time when "the Near East" apparently was understood by Westerners to include Eastern Europe (or at least those parts still under the Ottomans). This region was considered to be "the Lhassa of Europe", in terms of being little-known, largely "off the map". The mere tale of the journey, as such - the remarkable characters, the surprises, dangers and hardships encountered, the twists and turns, is well-written, engagingly told, and very interesting as just "adventure travel". In addition, the ethnographic descriptions of the daily life and beliefs of the Albanian people of those days are fascinating in themselves. There is a little bit of everything, from tattooing, to dress and hair fashions, hospitality, cooking, household economy, gun culture, games, humor, and religious beliefs. I recommend an illustrated version, for the drawings and photos. Despite taking note of the ignorance and grinding poverty of their circumstances, Durham's account of the Albanians is also remarkably even-handed when comparing them to the British and western Europeans of that day. Much of the narrative concentrates on dialogues with her traveling companions about "blood relations" - both in the sense of kinship, marriage and tribe, and in the sense of honourable retribution, or "blood debt", which was a major part of the culture. There are illustrative anecdotes - some traditional, and some ostensibly from the actual experiences of her hosts and companions. Her description of their tribal, vs. an individualistic perspective on duty and responsibility is particularly interesting.On yet another level, the narrative is particular to a historical moment - it climaxes just at the time of the "Young Turks" coup, and reflects the political and social circumstances of the place and time - in the Balkans, during the prelude to the First World War. The author very much sympathized with the Albanian people. She was no friend of the Great Powers of her day, as she describes their machinations to gain and/or keep influence over the region. Her very personal account of how "everything started to go wrong" (and perhaps could not have helped but go wrong, given the systematic ignorance and mismanagement already in place) is perceptive, compelling, and tragic. It will also have an uncomfortably familiar ring to anyone familiar with American (or any other great power's) misadventures in foreign policy.

Sort of hard to follow. Some maps of the time would have helped. Many names of towns, regions, and nations have changed since the book was written.

Edith Durham does an amazing job of exploring the remotest corners of Albania and presciently describes the situation in the Balkans on the eve of World War I.As it comes off every page here, Durham was an extraordinary person and a very unique woman for her time - anthropologist, ethnographer, historian, illustrator, writer, explorer, geographer and political analyst.Moreover, she had the knack of always being where the action was and provides us with a first-hand account of life in this remote corner of Europe. I found it thoroughly enjoyable!

Good translation and based on real events

I know what you're thinking: Albania? Really? REALLY! This 1909 book documents the travels of Edith Putnam, an Englishwoman who was told to take a vacation for health reasons. She chose Albania. The result is a fascinating (really) travelogue, reminiscent of Mark Twain's The Innocents Abroad, in which Putnam ventures (often alone) through a volatile country undergoing revolution from its Ottoman overlords. The author overcomes numerous obstacles--including difficult terrain, weather extremes, lawlessness numerous clan "blood feuds" and male intolerance--to craft a fast-moving documentary. Putnam was strong-willed and self-confident and more than held her own--of which the reader benefits.

Ms. Durham's writing was so vivid that I traveled with her. It is amazing that a woman from a foreign country traveling accompanied only by a single guide much of the time through such untamed areas in the early 1900s could go unmolested. It is a tribute to the fact that she was not judgmental of and was open to learning about local culture , history, and cultures that she did so. It is also a tribute to the honor and courtesy of the local tribes. It iwould have been good if the author had explained the meaning and concepts behind the occasional foreign words in the text. Sometimes they could be ascertained from the context, but not always. Otherwise a thrilling ride through untamed regions of the world.

A readable an clear picture of the people and cultures in the region by the turn of the 20th century. Although major changes have ocurred in the region since, it's amazing how many elements are still valid. The author is perceptive (and certaily courageous) and the book very well written.

Wonderful book about the msot beautiful country and culture in the world

Interesting account of Albania at the turn of 20th century. She obviously was a very intrepid traveler venturing to places rarely visited by British yet alone females travelling alone. The depiction of blood feuds in the high country of Albania is eye opening; according to Wikipaedia, 3000 families remain embroiled in continuing feuds today.She has a somewhat dated in writing style and the anecdotes are repetitive. Nevertheless it is one of few accounts of an area of the world only recently reopened to visitors. For anyone travelling to the area, the book does provide a vivid background and would be well worth reading, if not every page.

著書は十九世紀末から二十世紀初頭に生きたイギリス女性、エディス・ダーラム。不思議な戦士の国・アルバニアに生涯を捧げた女性だ。まずこの女性の人格の強さが印象的。センチメンタルなコメントを避け、淡々と険しい山岳地帯を行き、さまざまな部族と接し、その様子を記録して行く。行く先々での歓待に現地の慣習に従い感謝の念を込めて対応する様子など実にカッコのいい女性である。現地の慣習に批判的なコメントはない。そんな冷静な女性が、トルコ青年党による初の憲法発布の日、イギリス人としてのさまざまな疑心暗鬼を一時保留し、アルバニア人とともに歓喜し、祝砲を撃ち、踊り、叫ぶ。「今日は私もまた『山の子』なのだ」と。美しい、感動的な場面だ。コソボを指し「アルバニア人の土地」と明言する辺り、明らかに「アルバニア贔屓」の書なのだろう。しかし素晴らしい本だ。百年ほど前、武士のようなアルバニア人とその人々と運命を重ねたイギリス女性の記録である。

Loved it. I liked the style of writing of Edith Durham. Had fun and loughs reading it.

Love it