Andreas (political science and international studies, Brown U.) describes the imposition, maintenance, lifting, and aftermath of the longest siege in modern history, lasting from 1992 to 1995. In addition to its intrinsic interest, he says, the United Nations action provides a lens through which to scrutinize the relationship between the material and performative aspects of conflict, international intervention, and postwar reconstruction. In particular, he notes the interdependence between the upper world and underworld, formal and informal, front stage and backstage. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)