I have read many books in which the authors attempt to account for the causes of the Bosnian conflict. The problem with these books is that the authors provide an oversimplified and shallow description of the war in Bosnia. This book however manages to give a thorough and in-depth analysis of the causes of the Bosnian conflict. In my opinion, the authors have managed to explain which political and social factors gave rise to the war in Bosnia. Giving a detailed historical background of the conflict, the authors allow the reader to gain an important insight into historical events that may have contributed to the enormous disparities among Muslims, Croats and Serbs. In addition, the involvement of Serbia and Croatia in the Bosnian war is thoroughly examined. There is ample evidence that Serbia and Croatia provided Bosnian Serbs and Croats with arms. Furthermore it is well known that Serbian forces committed a large majority of the war crimes in Bosnia. In conclusion, this book will help you gain a richer understanding of the Bosnian conflict. Strongly recommended.

Burg and Shoup's book will stand for some years as the definitive work on the Bosnian war and the missteps of international intervention there. It is a must read by anyone interested in what happened in that mountainous Balkan country.

This book is rather detailed and is not meant to be a 'quick read' for the casual reader. Instead, it uses a vast array of sources from the region as well as the Western press and interviews to make its case about the goals of the three sides as well as the desire of the 'West' to stay out of the conflict. Furthermore, it provides a much-needed and accessible overview of the various peace plans and maps which aimed at stopping the carnage in Bosnia.

It is an excellent book which sets a new standard for research on ethnic conflicts and international policy.