OF EAGLES AND STARS

From the cellars of history, this is the story of Voyslav, a Serbian school dropout, sucked into the turmoil of the early 20th century, turned infantry colonel, and twice decorated with the White Eagle with Swords. Beyond sketching family bliss and irritations, this book encapsulates a generation overshadowed by the Allies’ jubilation over the successful end of a world war. As his people are vilified and chased by psychotic enemies breaking all the rules of war, Voyslav’s endurance and resilience are tested by personal loss, two Balkan Wars, a cholera epidemic, four devastating WWI invasions, a typhus pandemic, cataclysmic bombardments, famine, malaria attacks, and an exodus of biblical scale. Testimonials and comments from Serbia’s friends, strangers, and enemies alike attest to the nation’s humble but unwavering resolve to exist. (“The war was lost at Salonika.” – The former German commander-in-chief of the fourth invasion of Serbia, Field Marshal August von Mackensen.) – Photos, maps, notes, app., bibl., ind.