Book excerpt: This book examines the causes and consequences of ethnic cleansing in the twentieth century Balkans. The analysis offers a top-down interpretation of the expulsion of ethno-national minorities as a means of state-building and questions the argument for forced homogenization as a conflict resolution strategy. In providing a thorough and consistent analysis of large-scale episodes of ethinic cleansing, the book fills an important gap in existing conflict and peace studies literature.