In 1389, the Field of Blackbirds (Kosovo Field) saw a battle between the Christian army made up of Serbs, Bosnians, Albanians and Romanians and the Ottoman army led by Sultan Mourad. On the eve of battle the Serb military minstrels sang, “Rise, O Serbs, the Albanians are seizing Kosovo” and the Albanian minstrels sang, “Rise, O Albanians! Kosovo is falling to the pernicious Serb!”. Though it had nothing to do with the impending fight with the Ottomans it was the only song each knew. Even when they sang together at the funeral of a northern European lady they sang these songs. Now according to the Serbs, in 1389 they were the only ones who fought the Ottoman. But according to Kadare, it was a coalition that teamed up and fought. Regardless of who fought, the Ottomans owned the Field in 10 hours. 600 years later, the Serb leader Milosevic launched a campaign to eliminate the Albanians, the majority population of Kosovo. Today the same song is being sung.

This is an epic book told in only a handful of pages. Kadare’s intention was to just state the truth. That truth is called propaganda from some quarters a chronicle of untold history by others. Regardless, it is a stirring book that looks at the absurdity of war, of hatred, of taking religious differences to the extreme. Blood never washes away. The satirical moments throughout the book pierce like arrows. ( )