King Zog: Self-Made Monarch of Albania Kindle Edition

King Zog is an interesting figure, mostly unknown to Americans. I struggled to find any sources about him in English, until I came across this book. I was pleasantly surprised to discover this was a quick and easy read, and also incredibly informative and detailed. Although I began reading with no knowledge of Albanian history or culture, I was quickly brought up to speed. The collection of pictures are wonderful as well. If you are interested in an obscure corner of 20th century European history, this is your book.

The whole story on the Zogenator, told from a non-Albanian sympathetic viewpoint. And, literally, the only book in English on the topic that is even remotely readable.Zogu (his given name, if my memory serves) was a guarded man, thrust into a treacherous social scene (where murders and vendettas were as common as pie), yet he managed to unify the notoriously clan-oriented Albanians into something resembling a nation through the 1920s and 1930s. Pulled one way by local clans, and another by Italy, the big fish in the Balkans during the period, he started Albania on the road to modern life."Started" is the operative word there, for Albania during the interwar years was a mess, pure and simple. With one port, a limited road network, virtually no industry or natural resources, and not a single mile of operating railroad, Albanians were (for the greatest part) subsistence farmers and bandits. As soon as it was possible, those rising above the mob sought jobs with the government, where they used graft and strong armed tactics to shake down their fellow citizens for a living.Seemingly a meek and mild little man, King Zog was nevertheless capable of ruthless, murderous conduct when the situation called for it. And, for a few years, it called for it often. Surviving several assassination plots and attempts, Zog (and his coterie of sisters carefully navigated the hazardous waters of national politics, all the while keeping a weather eye on what Italy was up to. It certainly made for an interesting life for the man.And then came the denouement, with an invasion by Italy prior to World War II. Zog's carefully assembled police force resisted for as long as it could (i.e., not very long), but he was soon heading for the border with his newborn son and critically injured spouse. Driving over rough tracks in the huge Mercedes Benz given him as a wedding present by no less a personage than Adolph Hitler, he managed to reach Greece (and asylum) one step ahead of the invading troops.From that point, Zog became another stateless former monarch. Fortunately for him and his family, he also managed to abstract most of the Albanian treasury, and lived high on the hog for the rest of his life. While considering relocation to the United States (where he bought but never occupied an estate on the East Coast, he lived out the remainder of his days, first in England during the war, and later in Paris.A rough life early on, made somewhat smoother towards the end by all of the gold. And, the cigarettes!!! Zog had to be one of the worst chain smokers of all time, consuming hundreds of the things each and every day. He could have accepted a job as a promoter for the American tobacco industry, if only he had asked.(Zog's son lived on to the 1990s, finding work as an arms dealer, among other trades. His lovely wife, an Australian girl, has also died, without issue, so the Albanian royal line of succession is now extinct.)An excellent, readable book on an obscure topic and a forgotten man. Well worth the money and time taken to read it.And, as a bonus, you get a pronounciation guide for the tongue twisting Albanian language. Once you read it, you can negotiate all of those "j" and "x" combinations that make up Albanian names.

This book is very well constructed and also very friendly. The author does an amazing job to create the atmosphere of duality that characterizes King Zog. Even personally, there are times that I admire this King for building a kingdom out of nothing and there are times when I jump to rational conclusions that he was just a ruthless opportunist, nothing more than just another selfish character of the Albanian history. Great job. 4 stars only for not being sympathetic with the Albanian culture and way of life.

well researched insight into how Albania fell to Mussolini, a cartoonish, villainous main character forever trying to keep not only from drowning in the perilous circumstances, but to be immensely wealthy and powerful.

Great read. Well written overview of Albania and how the impact of clan psychology, personal foibles, and European politics affected Zog's monarchy. Tha American connection and Zog's attempts to improve the status of women in a quazi-Muslim country add depth to his struggles. A satisfying book for those who follow the history of European leaders and nations. Jason Tomes has an outstanding vocabulary - and knows how to use it to spice-up the read.

I must confess to knowing very little about Albania,it's history and people.This book has helped to change that--it's very well written and in some ways reads like a novel.King Zog was an interesting character andthe book brings this out--full of intrigue, personalities and everyday life at his Court and Albania itself.Highly recommended.'

Obscure subject, but a wonderful book -- thorough, well-researched, and well-written. If you're a history buff, this is a must-read.

Entertaining and intimate account of an obscure head of state.

Anyone who can write clearly and compellingly explaining the convoluted politics of 20th-century Albania deserves our admiration. Gives, too, a good picture of how Albania was used as a pawn by Mussolini's Italy, and afterwards in an indirect way by Britain and American, allowing the violent regime of Enver Hoxha to continue unhindered. And behind all this is the very human story of Ahmed Zoggoli, who promoted himself to King Zog; his rather sad wife Geraldine and, possibly even more sad, his doted sisters. Recommended.

A good edition.

Very interesting insight into Albania during 19th century would recommend to anyone who would want to learn more about the balkans and the influenal character known as King Zog. I learn far more for this book about his character than I have anywhere else, there isn't a great deal about this country during the earlier part of the century that you could learn anywhere else and his rise to power show's how he manged to keep Ablania on the map.

nice book good price quick delivery great book

simply the most extraordinary chunk of 'unknown' 20th Century history - in the kings'n'queens'n'rulers genre - I've ever come across. forget the comic-scifi absurdity we associate with (a) Zog and (b) Albania - give him his real name Zogu, and some respect as a guy who made a serious stab at creating from nothing a small independent country, riven by feuding clans, robbed by gangster bosses, and sandwiched between bigger beasts which soon gobbled it during WW2. by comparison with the tyrants and idiots all around, he was a remarkably cultivated, humane and restrained ruler. I toured Albania during the Enver Hoxha regime, when Zog was universally derided or vilified; this book gives due perspective. it is remarkable that such a small country, with a distinct ethnicity and intriguing culture, has survived and is becoming a credible entity within Europe. Zogu did much to pave the way for that.Tomes writes very competently, and has researched it thoroughly: this is an excellent work of real historical merit.