Hugh G. Grant, Chief of the American Mission in Tirana and a firsthand witness to that fateful event, documented the meltdown of the Albanian independence in the weeks and months following the Italian occupation. Minister Grant speaks from the unique perspective of a U.S. diplomat who, unlike most of his European colleagues accredited in Tirana at that time, was not engaged in a particularly active role in the tiny country. As such, he can be considered a fairly objective and impartial observer of the happenings that brought about the occupation and the subsequent events. Therefore it is fair to say that his compelling account is a must read for history scholars and politicians.