Max Bergholz is an American historian who is widely recognized for his expertise in the fields of Eastern Europe and the Balkans. He has spent several years conducting extensive research and engaging in critical dialogue with scholars in the region, leading to the publication of numerous academic works. Bergholz’s publications focus on the social, cultural, and political history of the Balkans, specifically during the period of World War II and its aftermath.
Bergholz received his undergraduate degree from Brown University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. His dissertation, which was awarded the Frederick J. Binder Prize for Best Dissertation in East European Studies, examined violence and the political culture of destruction during World War II in Croatia and Bosnia. This research has served as the basis for his widely acclaimed book, Violence as a Generative Force: Identity, Nationalism, and Memory in a Balkan Community.
As an expert on the history of the Balkans, Bergholz has been invited to speak at numerous conferences and events, both in the United States and abroad. He has also taught at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of South Florida.
In addition to his research and teaching, Bergholz is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Historical Association and the Society for Historians of Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and Russia. He is also a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Genocide Research and the Journal of Modern European History.
Bergholz’s contributions to the study of the Balkans and Eastern Europe have been widely recognized and admired by his colleagues in the field. His work has shed light on some of the most complex and contentious issues facing the region and has helped to foster greater understanding and dialogue among scholars and policymakers alike.