The Bridge on the Drina

by Ivo Andric, William H. McNeill

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Book Overview: The Bridge on the Drina

The Bridge on the Drina is a vivid depiction of the suffering history has imposed upon the people of Bosnia from the late 16th century to the beginning of World War I. As we seek to make sense of the current nightmare in this region, this remarkable, timely book serves as a reliable guide to its people and history.

“No better introduction to the study of Balkan and Ottoman history exists, nor do I know of any work of fiction that more persuasively introduces the reader to a civilization other than our own. It is an intellectual and emotional adventure to encounter the Ottoman world through Andric’s pages in its grandiose beginning and at its tottering finale. It is, in short, a marvelous work, a masterpiece, and very much sui generis. . . . Andric’s sensitive portrait of social change in distant Bosnia has revelatory force.”–William H. McNeill, from the introduction

“The dreadful events occurring in Sarajevo over the past several months turn my mind to a remarkable historical novel from the land we used to call Yugoslavia, Ivo Andric’s The Bridge on the Drina.”–John M. Mohan, Des Moines Sunday Register

Born in Bosnia, Ivo Andric (1892-1975) was a distinguished diplomat and novelist. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1961. His books include The Damned Yard: And Other Stories, and The Days of the Consuls.

ISBN-13	9780226020457
ISBN-10	0226020452
Publisher	University of Chicago Press
Publication Date	1977-08-15
Edition	1
Language	en
Pages	314
Dimensions	in x in x in
Weight	lbs

Editorial Reviews

“Great historical novels–and there aren’t many–generally don’t read as if they’re historical. You feel, reading them, that you’re inside their time and place. Their characters aren’t dressed up in period costume, eating (carefully researched period meals; their lives are real lives, like our own, only taking place int he past. In other words, they’re true to life as we know and feel it, and their texture seems completely natural, however remote or unfamiliar the setting may be….How astonishing, then, to come unexpectedly upon a master of the genre–and one who’s been hiding in full view for almost sixty years….This extraordinary book constitutes the story of Bosnia in a series of highly dramatic episodes centered on the magnificent white stone bridge built by an early vizier.”– “The New York Review of Books”

About the Authors

Ivo Andric

Ivo Andric was a distinguished author and laureate of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1961, celebrated for his novels and short stories, which adeptly illuminated the history and culture of his homeland, Yugoslavia. Born on October 9, 1892, in Travnik, Bosnia, Andric pursued philosophy and history studies at universities in Zagreb, Vienna, and Krakow. Simultaneously, he engaged in diplomacy, a career that remarkably intertwined with his writing, providing him with a profound insight into the human condition.

Andric’s literary mastery lies in his ability to transform complex historical narratives into compelling human stories, exploring themes of isolation, morality, and the paradoxes of human nature. His seminal work, “The Bridge on the Drina,” displays his profound capacity for storytelling and his insightful commentary on life within the Bosnian region, earning him international accolades and the Nobel Prize.

Despite passing away on March 13, 1975, Ivo Andric’s impact on literature remains palpable. His works continue to offer poignant revelations about life, society, and history, reverberating with readers around the world. Beyond his literary achievements, Andric is remembered as a diplomat and a sage observer of the human struggle, making him a seminal figure in the pantheon of 20th-century literature.

William H. McNeill

William H. McNeill was a distinguished American historian and author known for his studies on world history. Born on October 31, 1917, in Vancouver, Canada, he moved to the United States at an early age and obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Chicago. He is renowned for his outstanding contribution to global and interdisciplinary history, reflecting his profound understanding of human societies and civilizations.

Throughout his career, McNeill penned numerous influential works, the most notable of which is “The Rise of the West: A History of the Human Community,” published in 1963. This groundbreaking work, charting the course of human civilizations from prehistoric times to the 20th Century, earned him the National Book Award for history and biography. Other seminal works include “Plagues and Peoples,” exploring the impact of diseases on social and political history, and “The Pursuit of Power,” tracing how military technologies influenced the trajectories of civilizations.

In addition to his writing, McNeill served as president for prominent historical organizations such as the American Historical Association and the International Congress of Historical Sciences. He was a professor of history at the University of Chicago for over four decades, imparting his knowledge and passion for world history to generations of students. His thoughtful scholarship and prolific career earned him the prestigious Erasmus Prize in 1996 for his contribution to European culture. William H. McNeill passed away in 2016, leaving an indelible mark on historical research that continues to resonate through academia.