THE SERBS: THE GUARDIANS AT THE GATE. by Laffan, R.G.D - 1989

New York: Dorset, 1989. 299 pp, 8vo (8 1/4" H). Maps. " 'The Serbs' was originally a series of lectures delivered by the renowned British historian R.G.D. Laffan. (His) lectures became so famous they were collected and published in book form. Out of print for many years, (this) is the classic book on an important and misunderstood people. Too many of us only know the Serbs as precipitators of World War I, when a Serbian nationalist assassinated Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand in 1914 causing Austria to declare war. But Serbian history is eventful and filled with intrigue. To give us one example, (the author) brings to brilliant life the Turkish war with Serbia in which the great Serbian nobility was nearly annihilated, its lands distributed to the Turkish military aristocracy and the Serbian Christian peasants treated like slaves. All through this occupation the Serbs were forbidden to possess weapons, but an unquenchable desire for freedom led to frequent insurrection. Finally the Treaty of Adrianople forced the Turks to evacuate. Anyone interested in a historical perpective of a great and heroic people will find (this book) as absorbing as it is inspiring. For, as Professor Laffan writes 'the Serbs have shown that, despite adversity and homelessness, their spirit remains unconquerable'." Dust jacket has minor rubbing, very light wrinkling at top/bottom of spine and flap-folds.. Reprint.. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good.