Originally published posthumously in 1954, this book presents a study of the unwritten law of the Albanian mountain tribes by the renowned Scottish anthropologist, classical scholar and ethnographer Margaret Hasluck (1885-1948). In recording the legal aspects of tribal life, Hasluck also provides detailed information on the everyday existence of the tribes. Four chapters are given to the vendetta system, describing minutely the obligations of vengeance, the manner of conducting a feud, the degrees of expiation and the ways of ending. Other chapters give information about the daily life of the household; the laws governing the division of property; the administrative hierarchy; oaths, verdicts and penalties; theft and murder. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the writings of Hasluck, anthropology and the Albanian mountain tribes.

"THE CODE OF LEKE DUKAGJINI is a great cultural treasure, comparable to the chapters of The Old Testament." "It provides deep insights into the ancient society of the Albanians, their somber dignity & their magnificent sense of honor."--David Binder, The New York Times. "This legal system was established & passed on to future generations as a common law by Leke Dukagjini, a co-fighter of the legendary Skenderbeg." "The 'Besa' or the 'word of honor' as stated in THE CODE OF LEKE DUKAGJINI which means peace & protection to those whom it is given, has become today an important fighting tool in the political struggle of Kosovo's Albanians against Serb oppression."--Victor Meier, The Frankfurter Allgemeine Seitung. "The legal Code of the Albanians known by them for a thousand years, is one of the most original in the history of mankind. Among the basic pillars of this code are the equality of men before the code & the non-abuse of justice." "The entire essence of the legal code of the Albanians is an unparalleled rigorous respect for this basic principle: non-violation of the dignity of a man- his honor, home, & life."--Ismail Kadare, Albanian writer.

Stalinism, that particularly brutal phase of the Communist experience, came to an end in most of Europe with the death of Stalin in 1953. However, in one country - Albania - Stalinism survived virtually unscathed until 1990. The regime that the Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha led from 1944 until his death in 1985 was incomparably severe. Such was the reign of terror that no audible voice of opposition or dissent ever arose in the Balkan state and Albania became isolated from the rest of the world and utterly inward-looking. Three decades after his death, the spectre of Hoxha still lingers over the country, yet many people – inside and outside Albania – know little about the man who ruled the country with an iron fist for so many decades. This book provides the first biography of Hoxha available in English. Using unseen documents and first-hand interviews, journalist Blendi Fevziu pieces together the life of a tyrannical ruler in a biography which will be essential reading for anyone interested in Balkan history and communist studies

'The Area Handbook for Albania' seeks to present an overview of the various social, political, and economic aspects of the country as they appeared in 1970. The leaders of the Communist Party have gone to extremes to maintain an aura of secrecy about their nation and their efforts to govern it. Material on Albania is scanty and some that is available is not reliable but, using their own judgments on sources, the authors have striven for objectivity in this effort to depict Albanian society in 1970.