The Fracture Zone

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Terrible things have plagued the Balkans for centuries, and this complex region, marked by natural beauty and human-made borders, continues to experience frequent conflict and unspeakable horrors. Simon Winchester, a seasoned reporter, reflects on his earlier visit to the area during the Kosovo crisis, deciding to embark on a journey that would reveal the true nature of this fractured landscape. His travels connect two historic capitals, Vienna and Istanbul, whose imperial rivalries have significantly shaped the region's divisions. With the war ongoing, Winchester, accompanied by a linguist friend, sets off from Vienna on an extensive adventure through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, and Turkey, culminating at the Golden Horn as the war officially ends. He finds himself in Macedonia on the day NATO forces move in to take control of Kosovo, riding alongside an old friend, the commanding general. This narrative is not merely about the war; it offers an intimate portrait of the region during conflict while exploring the roots of its violence, both past and present. Winchester's keen observations create a current yet timeless understanding of a place always on the brink, weaving together its faults, fractures, and chaos into a coherent narrative.