First published in 1997, this volume aims to present a new perspective on the history of the Serbs in the twentieth century, viewing this period through the lives of its most significant Serb participants. Its contributors represent a diverse variety of backgrounds, coming from different countries, academic disciplines, intellectual traditions and generations.

The aim of this book is to present a new perspective on the history of the Serbs in the twentieth century through the lives of its most significant Serb participants. Nikola Pasic, Dragutin Dimitirjevic-Apis, Radomir Putnik, King Peter, King Aleksandar, Prince Pavle, Dragoljub-Draza Mihailovic and Slobodan Milosevic whose lives are profiled in the books were, in the opinion of the editors, in position significantly to shape the destiny of the Serbs. In reviewing their life and achievements, the dilemmas facing the Serbs and their leaders in the twentieth century should hopefully become clearer as well. As each of the eight leaders exercised power and influence at critical times, each of them is in many ways still a controversial figure. In order to provide the necessary historical background, in the first chapter Peter Radan offers a brief overview and assessment of the course of the history of the Serbs during the twentieth century.