Balkan Odyssey a personal account of the international peace efforts following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia

David Owen gives a very personal account of his experiences as a mediator, including his frustrations with the attitude of the international community (in particular the US). His views are very useful to understand the mechanisms of international diplomacy in a highly mediatised conflict. It is rather simplistic, in my view, to depict Owen as someone who tried to favorise one one the parties in the conflict.

This book should possibly be given 3.5 stars. I will put it closer to 3, because sincerely, I think it is written in a way, that at times is not conducive to reading, especially with the excellent books on the region by many different authors, it seems to be a chore at times.To avoid sounding editorial, I won't even mention those others at this point. However, if anyone can point out any errors in my analysis, it is welcome. I don't mean to slight Lord Owen in any way. His view, may be a more "Tory" view of the conflict. That is why, reading all sides is important. If it can be compared to anything else written about the region, maybe it is another diplomats book Holbrooke's To end a war. In fact, those who read books on the region, might see some flaws in parts of both books, however, I wonder if the "arrogant" description, some assign to Holbrooke is more apt to Lord Owen? Still, Lord Owen does at times, gives interesting information for the reader. It is though, information, that one has to take into account with other sources of information. This might include such incidences as what he says about the Markale market incident. One should compare that to, say, what the United Nations officially says and other sources of information, such as what author David Rohde says in his book, Endgame.At times, Lord Owen's book may be pro-Serb, as far as a description of the conflict. With many books seeming to be derogattory towards that side of the conflict, it is important to read all sides, to determine what the truth would seem to be, and then can one be sure?