Since its borders were drawn after the Ottoman collapse, Syria's history has often been violent. This substantial book endeavours to make sense of this complex, culturally rich place.
As borders dominate the narrative of global geopolitics, this striking gathering of maps provides valuable insight into a fraught and complex phenomenon.
Using West's 1930s masterpiece Black Lamb, Grey Falcon as a vade mecum, Allan has written a wonderful, personal portrait of the countries that made up the former Yugoslavia.