"The people of Kosovo—both the cleansed Albanians and the demagogically exploited Serbs—now know who their political and humanitarian friends were. One of the most outstanding European and parliamentary advocates has been Dr Denis MacShane. This will surprise none who know of his record on human rights. The book will stand as a monument to a harsh time and to the fortitude that overcame it."—Christopher Hitchens

This polemical appeal by Denis MacShane calls for policy makers to re-engage with the Western Balkans before it is too late. MacShane has written a vivid and forceful account, showing that the Western Balkans are a symbol of Europe's weakness to transform one of its key regions and the choice we face is now stark: either the Balkans become European or Europe becomes Balkanized.