Best Books About Croatia and Montenegro to Read Before You Go

From handy travel resources and in-depth historical reads to engaging stories from the region, these must-read books about Croatia and Montenegro dive deep into the culture, tumultuous past and lure of the Balkan Peninsula. If you’re planning a trip to the Dalmatian Coast, you’ll surely want to put a few of these books on your reading list.

Essential Croatia Reading

Fodor’s Essential Croatia with a Side Trip to Montenegro | Edited by Douglas Stallings

Everything you need to plan a trip to Croatia and Montenegro is included in this detailed, practical guide. From maps and sample itineraries to helpful regional write-ups and locals’ recommendations on the best experiences, it’s all here.

Lonely Planet Croatian Phrasebook & Dictionary | By Lonely Planet Publications

Explore Croatia with ease with this handy, palm-sized guide to pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for travelers.

A Traveller’s History of Croatia | By Benjamin Curtis

From Roman times to present-day, author Benjamin Curtis untangles the complex history of Croatia and its embattled past.

Croatia: A Nation Forged in War | By Marcus Tanner

A British correspondent who reported from the region during the collapse of Yugoslavia shares a powerful modern history of Croatia from its medieval origins to Nazi occupation to its peaceful present.

Zagreb: A Cultural History | By Celia Hawkesworth

An illuminating account of the tumultuous but vibrant history of Croatia’s capital, with a strong focus on the art and architecture of the city.

Good Reads: Stories Set in Croatia

The Hired Man | By Aminatta Forna

This suspenseful, page-turner of a novel is about a small Croatian village and its haunting wartime past that slowly gets uncovered by a family of newcomers.

Chasing a Croatian Girl | By Cody McClain Brown

A lighthearted and funny read from an American living in Croatia who expertly paints a delightful portrait of the country, its culture and its people.

Girl at War | By Sara Nović

This gripping novel follows a 9-year-old girl during the Croatian War of Independence before fast-forwarding a decade to her present life in America and her attempts to make peace with her memories of war and the impacts it had on her life.

A Taste of Croatia | By Karen Evenden

Part travelogue, part cookbook, this engaging read is a memoir of one woman’s three-year sailing odyssey and an introduction to the food and recipes of Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Books About Montenegro

Montenegro: A Modern History | By Kenneth Morrison

This authoritative read charts Montenegro’s contemporary history in an accessible and comprehensive form and explores the forces that have shaped Europe’s newest state.

Montenegro: A Novel | By Starling Lawrence

Steeped in atmosphere, this compelling tale of intrigue set in turn-of-the-century Montenegro evokes the tangled politics of the region – Muslim, Turkish and British. The author follows the adventures of reluctant British spy Harwell Auberon from the Adriatic to mountain villages, capturing the essence of the people and the land.

History of the Balkans

Yugoslavia: Death of a Nation | By Laura Silber and Allan Little

Called “one of the finest volumes to come out of the war” by the New York Times, this book combines eyewitness reports, political commentary and photographs to illuminate the origins and aftermath of the breakup of Yugoslavia.

Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History | By Robert D. Kaplan

Author Robert Kaplan interweaves history, art and culture with his travels through Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Romania and Greece in this insightful regional portrait that was recognized by The New York Times as one of Best Books of the Year.

Black Lamb and Grey Falcon | By Rebecca West

First published in 1941, this monumental work explores the complex history of Yugoslavia, its heroes, politics and culture. It’s a big, challenging book, but some consider it the best ever written on the Balkans.

The Balkans: A Short History | By Mark Mazower

With eloquence and clarity, author Mark Mazower explores and analyzes issues of geography, nationalism and nation in this indispensable survey of Balkan history.

The Palgrave Concise Historical Atlas of the Balkans | By Dennis Hupchick

In this useful reference book, the Balkans are clearly and concisely illustrated through 50 double-page maps and accompanying essays that guide readers through the region’s physical geography and complex history.

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