Central Asian Republics

This new volume in the Nations in Transition series examines the problems confronting the five Central Asian Republics -- Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan -- as they adjust to their relatively new status as independent countries. With varying degrees of success and stability, the countries of this region are coping with a difficult transition. Famous historically for the great Silk Road, the area has recently drawn attention for its extensive energy reserves. The war in neighboring Afghanistan and proximity and cultural ties to the rebels in Chechnya have added to the difficulties these countries face.

Central Asian Republics is an excellent introduction to the history, culture, and current state of affairs of these countries. Following a brief introduction to the region, the book is divided into five sections, one represneting each country. Each section is concise and informative, offering an overview that is easy to understand. The sections explore the geography, population, history, government, politics, economy, and daily life of each specific country and provide an outlook for its future

The Nations in Transition series explores the independent governments formed after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Central Asia. The series is designed to give readers and researchers clear and thought-provoking portraits of each of these nations. Each volume surveys the history, culture, and political and social changes of the past few years and includes 25-35 photographs, a chronology of key events, easy-to-understand maps, and a further reading section.

This new volume in the Nations in Transition series examines the problems confronting the five Central Asian Republics -- Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan -- as they adjust to their relatively new status as independent countries. With varying degrees of success and stability, the countries of this region are coping with a difficult transition. Famous historically for the great Silk Road, the area has recently drawn attention for its extensive energy reserves. The war in neighboring Afghanistan and proximity and cultural ties to the rebels in Chechnya have added to the difficulties these countries face.

Central Asian Republics is an excellent introduction to the history, culture, and current state of affairs of these countries. Following a brief introduction to the region, the book is divided into five sections, one represneting each country. Each section is concise and informative, offering an overview that is easy to understand. The sections explore the geography, population, history, government, politics, economy, and daily life of each specific country and provide an outlook for its future

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-These informative, thought-provoking, and well-organized titles tackle the complexities of history, geography, ethnic groups, culture, politics, and economy in two rugged, impoverished areas. The authors examine current conditions within the historical context of shifting empires, Communist domination, Soviet Union collapse, and Islamic extremism. Kort explains that the now-independent Central Asian Republics harbor a wealth of oil and natural gas reserves, but that continuing corruption, ethnic rifts and border disputes, a legacy of poisoned land from Soviet industrial and agricultural projects, and disappearing water resources have thwarted economic growth and undermined the quality of life. Part one presents the history of the region from ancient times to the present. Part two focuses on each of the independent republics and their current challenges. In Afghanistan, the emphasis is on the current tensions among the Taliban, international peacekeeping troops, and President Karzai's government. Otfinoski also describes the agricultural production dominated by opium, the health and welfare needs of thousands of refugees, the dependence on American aid, and the daily struggle of thousands to overcome years of warfare and drought. Both of these well-researched titles include interesting and pertinent sidebars. Although the black-and-white photographs lack appeal, the in-depth presentations provide solid and balanced overviews of these regions.-Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.