An engrossing and richly detailed account of the first successful attempt by an ethnic group under the yoke of the Ottoman Empire to become fully independent in the new European order ushered in by the Congress of Vienna。A well fought struggle for liberation that heralded the beginning of the end for Ottoman hegemony in the Balkans & the opening of a Pandora's box of endless nationalists feuds and conflicts that will go on plaguing the entire area & turned it eventually into the always dangerous An engrossing and richly detailed account of the first successful attempt by an ethnic group under the yoke of the Ottoman Empire to become fully independent in the new European order ushered in by the Congress of Vienna。A well fought struggle for liberation that heralded the beginning of the end for Ottoman hegemony in the Balkans & the opening of a Pandora's box of endless nationalists feuds and conflicts that will go on plaguing the entire area & turned it eventually into the always dangerous European powder keg it has never ceased to be for the last 200 years。Highly recommended to anyone interested in 19th European history and diplomacy， especially the labyrinthine plots， conflicts and political shenanigans of the accursed Balkans。 A fascinating read that deserves to be enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever👏👍Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for this terrific ARC 。。。more