This is the first full account of a country that, following decades of isolation, has undergone unprecedented changes to its political system: the collapse of communism, the progression to multi-party elections and the upheaval that followed the March 1997 uprising. Miranda Vickers traces the history of the Albanian people from the Ottoman period to the formation of the Albanian Communist Party. She considers the charismatic leadership of Enver Hoxha; Albania's relationship with Tito and the alliance with the Soviet Union and then China; and the long period of isolation. Newly revised for this paperback edition, The Albanians considers the gradual process of reform and the fragility of the Albanian experiment with democracy, and includes a dramatic account of the days leading up to Sali Berisha's resignation of the presidency. It has now been updated to cover the fight for independence in Kosovo and the progress of Albania's application to join the EU.

Preface viiGlossary ixMaps xiIntroduction 11 The Nature of Ottoman Rule and the Rise of theGreat Pashaliks 102 Political and Cultural Moves to Consolidate theAlbanian National Movement 303 Albanian Independence and the End of Ottoman Rule 504 The Reign of Prince Wied and the First World War 735 Political Instability and the June Revolution 936 The Consolidation of Zogu's Regime and theItalian Ascendancy 1117 The Second World War and the Founding of theAlbanian Communist Party 1348 'Building Socialism' under Yugoslav and SovietTutelage 1559 The Retreat into Isolation 17710 The End of Communism and the Pathto Democratic Pluralism 20111 The Democratic 'Dream' Fades 22512 Moving Towards the Mainstream 244Conclusion 260