Natalija : : Life in the Balkan Powder Keg, 1880-1956 / / Natalija Matić-Zrnić; ed. by Carol S. Lilly, Jill A. Irvine.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter Central European University Press eBook-Package 2013-1998
• VerfasserIn: Matić-Zrnić, Natalija,
• HerausgeberIn: Irvine, Jill A.,; Lilly, Carol S.,
• MitwirkendeR: Pavetić-Dickey, Janja,
• Place / Publishing House: Budapest ;, New York : : Central European University Press, , [2008]; ©2008
• Year of Publication: 2008
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (514 p.)

The life story of a Serbian woman over a period of more than 70 years, preserved in memoirs, letters and mostly diaries, recounts the triumphs and tragedies of a life that takes place against the backdrop of extraordinary turbulence in the Balkans. It covers more than half a century, five wars (including the two world wars), and four ideologies. This is a time of excitement in Serbia as its leaders carve an independent state out of the Ottoman Empire and attempt to modernize a largely rural and “backward” corner of Europe. A time of opportunity for many who join in the effort to build the infrastructure of a modern economy, as well as the growing number of middle class families who send their children, in rare cases even girls, to the emerging system of state schools. Above all, a time of war, as the expanding Serbian state comes into conflict with its neighbors and, ultimately, the Great Powers of Europe. Accompanied by an introductory study, Natalija’s diary provides a rich background to understanding the on-going conflict in the Balkans today.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Maps -- Preface -- Introduction -- Part I. Years of Hope, 1880–1911 -- Chapter 1. Childhood -- Chapter 2. Learning Motherhood -- Chapter 3. Life and Politics in Small-Town Serbia -- Chapter 4. The Family Moves South -- Chapter 5. The Balkan Wars -- Part II. Years of War 1914-1924 -- Chapter 6. The War: Begins July 1914 to October 1915 -- Chapter 7. Refugees: October 1915 to January 1916, Prokuplje -- Chapter 8. Life Under Occupation: 1916 -- Chapter 9. Resistance: 1917 -- Chapter 10. Endings: 1918 -- Chapter 11. Beginnings: 1919 -- Part III. Years of Disappointment, 1924–1956 -- Chapter 12. A New Country, A New Life: 1924–1927 -- Chapter 13. Europe in Decline: 1932–1939 -- Chapter 14. War Again: 1939–1945 -- Chapter 15. Twilight -- Appendix: Natalija Matić-Zrnić and Her Family -- Glossary -- Bibliography -- Map Credits