Islam and nationhood in Bosnia-Herzegovina: surviving empires (original) (raw)

The book 'Islam and nationhood in Bosnia-Herzegovina: surviving empires' by Xavier Bougarel examines the intricate relationship between Islam and national identity in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1878 to 2013. Focusing on the impacts of Muslim elites, Bougarel argues that their loyalty to central authorities hindered the development of a coherent national identity, while also assessing the transformation of Muslim/Bosniak identity during the tumultuous period of 1992-1995. Through a detailed analysis, the book challenges existing theories of nationalism and highlights the complex interplay of religious and political factors in shaping Bosnian identity.