The story begins in 1986 with Milosevic as a gray apparatchik. Conventional wisdom has Yugoslavia collapsing when Slovenia and Croatia secede in 1991. The chapter on Slovenia's departure is brilliant. When Slovenia and Croatia leave, a 10-day Slovene war erupts. The die is cast.
Western diplomats seem baffled by Balkan politics.
While the Serbs play chess they play checkers. US Secretary of State James Baker goes to Belgrade on the eve of war and supports unity.