Bosnia: A Short History (Noel Malcolm, 1996)

Bosnia as a unique place with heavier Muslim concentration than Serbia (Slav/Orthodox) or Croatia, but also significant Orthodox and Roman Catholic as powers changed over the centuries; due to location, less dominated by any of the powers.

During WWII Bosnians fought for and against both sides. Author attributes 90s situation primarily to Serbian aggression. Since 1995, the country is now Bosnia-Herzegovina. Serbia/Montenegro to the east, Croatia to the west.

Raj - The Making and Unmaking of British India (Lawrence James, 2000)

Detailed discussion. Pretty amazing how a few Brits took control in late 18th century and ran things with local assistance for so long. Success here certainly made up for loss of North American colonies, but led to lots of other intrigues as Britain over time tried to exclude competitors in any area leading to India.

Congress party became active in late 19th century; British control pretty much ended during/after WWI; sectarian strife intensified as end of Raj became imminent; Jinnah with Muslim League pushes for partition; what a mess.

Author didn't care for Mountbatten.

The Golden Rule Challenge (George Lobdell, 2004)

History of POW camp in upper Midwest, mostly Algona.  Ends with discussion of Edward Kaib and crèche.  Christmas gift from EMG and HSG. Read at La Camarilla.

A Canticle for Leibowitz (Walter M. Miller, Jr., 1960)

I first had read this as part of a college course reading list, I believe it was an international relations course.

The story is set in an abbey in the southwestern United States. An order of monks seeks to preserve knowledge following a nuclear holocaust. The story is divided into three parts separated over thousands of years, as mankind gradually recovers knowledge and technology (with attendant challenges).

I like the book a lot. I remember sections quite vividly, for example the very last words of part I, and the too-accurate voicing of government-speak in Part III.

I read that the book has never been out of print since its initial print run. And that the author participated in bombing runs over Monte Cassino in World War II, which gave him the idea of monks preserving knowledge in the wake of destruction. It really works well.

Compare against this book, also very effective and containing many similar strands.