The case for an independent Kosova

Book review of

The Case for Kosova: Passage to Independence by Anna di Lellio and Ismail Kadare

by Seb Bytyci, Indiana University - Bloomington

The Case for Kosova fills a large void of a coherent academic work that deals with the major issues regarding Kosova. This is the best book about Kosova since Malcolm’s Kosovo: A Short History. Not only because of the scope of issues it covers and the diversity of authors and perspectives but also, simply because of its purpose. Any serious book about Kosova is a book that deconstructs myths, and so is this one.

In The Case for Kosova diverse authors address a wide range of issues related to Kosova. Namely, they try to answer some ill intentioned accusations and propaganda coming from various circles. As the editor, Anna di Lellio states in the introduction, the book is not biased, however it comes from a specific perspective. That is the book tries to make the case for the independence of Kosova, by debunking myths and accusations against Kosova.

The books strength comes not only from the fact that it has recruited such heavy weights as Kadare, Clark and Malcolm. Each section of the book is a significant academic contribution to the study of Kosova’s history, politics and society. Naturally, the most important are the sections that deal with the most serious accusations and allegations. It is of great significance for the credibility of the book that, for example, the allegations that Kosova would be an ‘Islamist’ state are addressed and refuted by a Kosovar Albanian Catholic priest.

One of the great achievements of the book is that it warns against making generalizations when talking about Kosova. It cautions that people should be careful when using words and phrases such as ‘ethnic Albanians’ and ‘Muslims’ when describing the citizens of Kosova. It calls for those who comment on Kosova to always keep things in perspective and context.

The Case for Kosova is academically invaluable. So much so that when reading it one can’t help but notice that the main weakness of the book are the spelling mistakes that are found quite often. The other key shortcoming of the book comes from its strength, its variety of contributors. The reader will find that while one contributor calls on other academics to be careful about a certain issue, other contributors appear to be careless about that issue when writing on other issues. This can be forgiven, however, given the fact that the authors come from different disciplines and backgrounds.

Having said that, The Case for Kosova is an indispensable resource not only for students of Kosova, but those of Yugoslavia, Albanians, Serbs or the Balkans, too. It helps put everything in perspective. And for those who want to be at ease with their conscience when taking a stand on the issue of Kosova’s independence, it is a savior.