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Summary: Wonderful ethnohistory for a much-ignored area!
Comment: Boehm very astutely tackles a society in the often misinterpreted and misunderstood Balkan peninsula. He combines ethnographic and historical inquiry in a very methodical and comprehensive approach to the concept of blood feuds as they existed in tribal Montenegro before it attained nation status. He not only details the doings of the blood feud, but also gives a necessary background of cultural values and social structure that supported this cultural phenomenon. Most importantly, he convincingly brings to light the ideological compulsion and perspective of the Montenegrins themselves, in justifying how the blood feud could be a culturally accepted institution without stigma, a concept alien to most Western sensiblities. His writing style is never dry, and he minimalizes the use of jargon...it is a wonderful intro to the processes of ethnography and ethnohistory, while also delving into a sadly neglected region of the world. A must read for anthropology buffs or anyone seeking cultural data on this part of the world!!
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