In the early 1990s Albania arguably Europeamp8217s most closed and repressive state began a startling transition out of forty years of selfimposed Communist isolation. Albanians who were not allowed to practice religion travel abroad wear jeans or read amp8220decadentamp8221 Western literature began to devour the outside world. They opened cafamp233s companies and newspapers. Previously banned rock music blared in the streets. Modern Albaniaampnbspoffers a vivid history of the Albanian Communist regimeamp8217s fall and the trials and tribulations that led the country to become the state it is today. The book provides an indepth look at the Communists last Politburo meetings and the first student revolts the fall of the Stalinist regime the outflows of refugees the crash of the massive pyramidloan schemes the war in neighboring Kosovo and Albaniaamp8217s relationship with the United States. Fred Abrahams weaves together personal experience from more than twenty years of work in Albania interviews with key Albanians and foreigners who played a role in the countryamp8217s politics since 1990amp8212including former Politburo members opposition leaders intelligence agents diplomats and founders of the Kosovo Liberation Armyamp8212and a close examination of hundreds of previously secret government records from Albania and the United States. A rich narrativelydriven account Modern Albaniaampnbspgives readers a frontrow seat to the dramatic events of the last battle of Cold War Europe.