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“Islam and the Muslim World” will help people understand the fastest growing religion in the United States and the dominant religion in a wide area of the rest of the world. This informative and interesting new encyclopedia explores an increasingly important force in the modern world, looking at Islam's role in the modern world, in the context of the religion's history and development over the last 13 centuries, and contains thematic articles, biographies of key figures, definitions, and more, filling a need in this key area of religious studies and serving as a resource for those eager to become better informed.

Product Description

“Islam and the Muslim World” will help people understand the fastest growing religion in the United States and the dominant religion in a wide area of the rest of the world. This informative and interesting new encyclopedia explores an increasingly important force in the modern world, looking at Islam's role in the modern world, in the context of the religion's history and development over the last 13 centuries, and contains thematic articles, biographies of key figures, definitions, and more, filling a need in this key area of religious studies and serving as a resource for those eager to become better informed.

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This book examines the Russian conquest of the ancient Central Asian khanates of Bukhara and Khiva in the 1860s and 1870s, and the relationship between Russia and the territories until their extinction as political entities in 1924. ... Read more

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This intensively researched urban study dissects Russian Imperial and early Soviet rule and colonial society in Islamic Central Asia from the diverse viewpoints of tsarist functionaries, soviet bureaucrats, Russian workers, and lower-class women as well as Muslim notables and Central Asian traders. Jeff Sahadeo’s stimulating analysis reveals how political, social, cultural, and demographic shifts altered the nature of this colonial community from the tsarist conquest of 1865 to 1923, when Bolshevik authorities subjected Tashkent to strict Soviet rule. The exercise of colonial power did not unfold the way that authorities envisioned, as Central Asians employed intricate strategies to turn the colonial idiom to their own advantage. Nonetheless, Russian intellectuals in both the Imperial and Soviet periods viewed Tashkent as a laboratory for modern ideas of progress and a site to prove Russia’s place as a "civilized" European empire. In addition to examining local and national particularities of Russian imperial rule and colonial society, Sahadeo places the building of empire in Tashkent within a broader European context. His evocative account makes an important contribution to understanding the cultural impact of empire on Russia’s periphery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

very informative and enjoyable read
I very much enjoyed Mr. Sahadeo's book.I had been to Tashkent many times, but until finding his book couldn't find much information about the city's relatively recent history.There is little readily available history about the years that the Russians colonized the region.This is surprising because the region had a very tempestuous history in the late 19th and early 20th century.This book fills in the historical black holes.An enjoyable and informative read.

Other information about Uzbekistan can be found at Taxi to Tashkent: Two Years with the Peace Corps in Uzbekistan ... Read more

Product Description
By the 15th century, Samarkand and Bukhara were the most important cities along the Silk Route, hives of international trade and centres of art and science. By the 18th century, they had become forbidden cities to all but Muslims, and until quite recently were only rarely visited by travellers from the West. This book describes the turbulent history of the creation and conquests of Samarkand and Bukhara, their architecture, and the cities' commercial and cultural activity. The book's photographs illustrate the exotic architecture, much of which has been restored. ... Read more

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Frederick Gustavus Burnaby--soldier, traveler, writer, and pioneer balloonist--set out on an unofficial mission in 1875 to investigate the motives behind Russia's exclusion of foreigners from Central Asia. This real-life adventure details the hardship and humor of Burnaby's excursion. Reprinted eleven times in its first year of publication, the story made Burnaby a popular hero in his own day . ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Great book, terrible edition (General Books LLC 2009)
This is an excellent story as related by other reviewers.However, I recommend against buying the General Books LLC (August 5, 2009) edition of Burnaby's classic.The production value is extremely low.There are numerous typos on each page which makes reading difficult to enjoy.This is also not a page-for-page reprint, so page breaks occur mid-page.This also makes reading this book much less enjoyable.Please do read Burnaby's "A Ride to Khiva", but to not waste your money on the General Books LLC edition.

Some books just don't stand the test of time unfortunately
By all accounts (see e.g. Wikipedia) Fred Burnaby was a larger than life English character who traveled the world, bent fire pokers around people's necks with his bare hands as a party trick, spoke multiple languages, and died young in battle. He also wrote travelogues, "A Ride to Khiva" being the perhaps the best known - maybe a better term would be the least unknown given that the current Amazon sales rank is about 1.8 million.

Khiva was a state in Central Asia near the Aral Sea that few Europeans had visited by the time Colonel Burnaby set out to do so in the 1875-76, while on a 6-month sabbatical leave from the Army. That the six month period happened to coincide with an unusually cold winter, rather than, say, a nice warm period of the year, seemed not to be a consideration to the sturdy Englishman. A complication of the trip was obviously that Khiva was planted right in the borderlands between Russia and British controlled India and thus in a highly contested area in years to come.

The Preface opens with the modest lines "The title explains the nature of this work. It is merely a narrative of a ride to Khiva". The latter is a true statement and is perhaps the reason why this book is not particularly well known. No doubt the trip was adventurous beyond words, but the narrative is in large parts a pretty dry description of the trip. This is unfortunate because in places Burnaby exhibits a great dry wit, as when he discusses what happened when a bunch of locals left their master's cotton out in the wild while they went off partying:


"Will not some of the cotton be stolen?" I inquired of Nazar.
"If God pleases," was his pious answer.
The Mohammedans invariably throw upon the Deity the responsibility for any mischance that may occurs through their own negligence. The doctrine of fatalism thus covers a multitude of sins.
I subsequently discovered that the only way to impart a little circumspection to my careless camel-driver when, after smashing my boxes, he excused himself on the grounds that the Almighty had been the cause of his disaster, was to administer to the delinquent a slight chastisement. This having been inflicted, I exclaimed, "Brother, it was the will of God. You must not complain; it was your destiny to break my property and mine to beat you. We neither of us could help it, praise be to Allah.
This method of dealing with my party had a capital effect upon them, and much more care was afterwards taken in loading and unloading the camels."


I'm glad I read it as it gives some interesting insights into local customs, the treatment of women relative to sheep and horses, etc. But, on the whole it was a bit disappointing and is somewhat difficult to recommend, unless you really are hungry for first-person accounts of the time and geographical area. Speaking of hunger, in case you ever need a bit of practical information, this book more or less explains how to eat a horse in 12 hours or so.

One odd thing is that this is the only book I have ever bought (from Amazon) that has zero publishing information. It is a nice paperback but with no publishing or printing information whatsoever. Looks like a straight reprint of the original with no printing date. The only thing it does have is an ISBN number on the back.

Loved it
It's a first hand account of an adventure, in the days before aeroplanes.
I enjoyed it thoroughly. Specially since it gave us an insight into a part of Asia of which we do not have much information. Highly recommend it for a relaxing read with your feet up in front of the fireplace.

Well Written with Good Obesercations
This is a good read. It does not drag at all, and does capture subtle points of the central asian tribal culture that seem to run consistent with behavior to this date.

A classic tale of true adventure
A Ride To Khiva: My Travels And Adventures In Central Asia 1875 is the personal memoir of soldier, traveler, writer, and pioneer balloonist Frederick Gustavus Burnaby, who died on January 17, 1885 at the age of 42 who was then a colonel in the British Army and speared to death in the Sudan along with 73 of his men. In 1875 Burnaby chose to personally investigate the rationale behind Russia's exclusion of foreigners in Central Asia. In the middle of winter Burnaby traveled by rail, carriage, sleigh, and horseback, while observing the people and their customs. A classic tale of true adventure, of struggling with language barriers, and of the determination to see one's task through, A Ride To Khiva is very highly recommended reading -- especially for enthusiasts of true adventure sagas. ... Read more

Product Description
Along the banks of the river once called Oxus lie the heartlands of Central Asia: Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Catapulted into the news by events in Afghanistan, just across the water, these strategically important, intriguing and beautiful countries remain almost completely unknown to the outside world.In this book, Monica Whitlock goes far beyond the headlines. Using eyewitness accounts, unpublished letters and firsthand reporting, she enters into the lives of the Central Asians and reveals a dramatic and moving human story unfolding over three generations.There is Muhammadjan, called `Hindustani', a diligent seminary student in the holy city of Bukhara until the 1917 revolution tore up the old order. Exiled to Siberia as a shepherd and then conscripted into the Red Army, he survived to become the inspiration for a new generation of clerics. Henrika was one of tens of thousands of Poles who walked and rode through Central Asia on their way to a new life in Iran, where she lives to this day. Then there were the proud Pioneer children who grew up in the certainty that the Soviet Union would last for ever, only to find themselves in a new world that they had never imagined. In Central Asia, the extraordinary is commonplace and there is not a family without a remarkable story to tell.Beyond the Oxus is both a chronicle of a century and a clear-eyed, authoritative view of contemporary events. One of the first original accounts of Central Asia in modern times, it takes us beyond the common cliches and prejudices about both the Soviet Union and the Muslim world to a much richer and more interesting reality. ... Read more

Product Description
From the blue-tiled splendor of Tamerlane's Samarkand to the holy city of Bukhara, and beyond to the desert-girdled khanate of Khiva, Uzbekistan lays claim to a breathtaking architectural legacy. Bound by sand and snow, fed by meltwater from the Roof of the World, these fertile oases have attracted travelers and conquerors along the fragile threads of the Silk Road throughout history. This groundbreaking guide focuses on the wealth of sites and colorful legends along Central Asia's golden road.

• Informative insights into the history, religion and culture of Uzbekistan
• Special topics include the disappearance of the Aral Sea, and the life and death of Tamerlane the Great
• Up-to-date practical information for the traveler, covering visas, customs and travel agencies
• Hints for business visitors
• Environmental issues
• Useful maps, together with detailed plans of principal sites
• 108 color photos, 23 maps ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Worth the pounds!
Gave a really good overview of the country's history and culture.Last Spring I was on a tour and had an opportunity to see a couple of the other available guidebooks from fellow travelers.This one was by far the best tour guidebook of Uzbekistan. A great way to see the country is with [...]

Excellent
I found this book just about perfect!
Unlike Odyssey's guide to neighbouring Tajikistan which I found carried too much dead weight with hundreds of pages on the history of past explorations, this book has hit the balance between history, sights and practical information very well.
The result is a guide that offers enough background info to be interesting rather than boring, enough info on where to go to let you go off the beaten track if you wish, and a range of accommodation options ranging from homestays to upmarket hotels, with actual prices noted.
And of course, as usual with this series, it has absolutely gorgeous photography, a very important point in a book about this country, where the stunning architecture is a main attraction.
As an added bonus, it even offers information on the most rewarding side-trips you can make to neighbouring Central Asian countries.
Really, it is better than I had hoped - if you want to visit Uzbekistan, take this book. It is better than Lonely Planet!

Better than Lonely Planet if you are going to spend a lot of time in Uzbekistan
If you are going to spend a lot of time in Uzbekistan, this book is a better buy than the Lonely Planet which covers each Central Asian country briefly in the regional "Central Asia" guide. However, there's too much focus on culture and history in this book and not enough focus on things to do. If you want to read a fiction/thriller that takes place in Uzbekistan and accurately captures the people and culture, check out The Opportunists, by Yohann de Silva. Here's the link: The Opportunists: A Novel ... Read more

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Examines the transition Central Asia underwent in the twentieth century following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Soviet colonial legacy and the attempts of new states to build secular states within the radical Islamic world. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

SAD
I bought the book from the Uzbek embassy abroad.I have read most of our president's books and take a very serious interest in issues facing Uzbekistan. Unfortunately,I found the book to be rather unrealistic andmore politicaly motivated for supporting his candidicy.The hopes andintentions have all only appeared on his many diffirent books which onlystrenghtens his foregin understanding and does not reflect the state of therepublic.

A Book by the President
This is an interesting book that provides an overview of the development strategy for Uzbekistan by the leadership of the country. Worth reading if you want to know what is really going in the political and economic spheresof life in Uzbekistan ... Read more

Product Description
Uzbekistan is a country of contradictions. Where legality meets torture and Islam meets a secular state, Uzbekistan is torn between its historical roots, Soviet rule, and modern consumerism. As a vital ally in the 'War on Terror', yet retaining a deeply troubling record on human rights, even the West is uncertain about how to approach it. In this vibrant account, respected journalist Robert Rand draws on three years living and travelling in the region to carefully deconstruct the cultural allegiances and tensions that color Uzbek life. From the heritage of the country's beloved hero, Tamerlane, to the clash of cultures in Uzbek pop music, this lively book will captivate the historian, the traveller, and anyone who wishes to understand modern life in the ex-Soviet bloc. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Not the worst book about Central Asia--but not worth buying either
This book was published in 2005, and Mr. Rand assures us that Uzbekistan is a failed state and that revolution is just around the corner.That complete miscalculation is a good commentary on the rest of this book.That, the facile treatment of Andijon, and the blind acceptance of shyster Craig Murray's self-serving pronouncements are the weakest parts of a weak book.He also portrays a widely known crank (I should say, another widely known crank), as being the "Godfather of U.S. expatriates in Uzbekistan." Wow.

The book is competently written, (it took me an hour or so to get through), but the author never really penetrates the surface to figure out what makes Uzbekistan tick.I'm not saying that's easy--I haven't either after years here--but then again I'm not publishing a book.There's not much of any worth on Central Asia these days, so some may find it interesting, but you are not going to learn much.

The views of the economy and "how Uzbekistan works" are pure anecdote and speculation.This could have been written by anyone who simply hung around the expat community in Uzbekistan for a few years--and I guess that's sort of what happened.

Good for the casual traveler
For someone traveling to Uzbekistan, this novel offers a nice glimpse of the country to people who are about to embark on a trip to this region and want an idea of what to expect.I would highly recommend The Opportunists by Yohann de Silva, a fiction/thriller that quite accurate captures modern day Uzbekistan (and its an entertaining read).Here's a link: The Opportunists: A Novel

I think the 1 star older review of this novel was unwarranted.The great majority of people would disagree with Olamgir Razzoq's customer review that the economy in Uzbekistan, and the lives of the everyday people, are improving.I worked in Uzbekistan for two years (very recently) and can say for a fact that this is not the case.Inflation and unemployment is very high, and the economy is stagnant.

Tamerlane's Children: Dispatches from Contemporary Uzbekistan
Having read the book and being an Uzbek myself, I encountered a feeling that it is based on author's collection of anecdotes from his time in Uzbekistan and his oft-patronizing chats with expats in Tashkent and interviews with residents of Uzbekistan, a collection of people which, at least to my mind, cannot be taken as representative for the wider audience. Readers are offered very shallow analysis or none of it. Rand makes preposterous statements and dire predictions about living in Uzbekistan and its future based on his unsubstantiated assumptions on the country and its people. I cannot say that everything is rosy in Uzbekistan, we have our share of problems. But it is a fact that economy is booming for several years, well-being of the general public is picking up. Preserving stability during the transition is of paramount importance for any society and we have been able to achieve that.

Focussing on the negative seems to be author's main goal in writing this book.I also could not understand why author writes about many things in so great a detail. Perhaps, just to fill the pages? Chapter on a pop singer has especially put me off. Now I understand author's amazement, expressed at the beginning, that the publisher signed his book. He clearly misfired.

Money and time spent on the book was wasted.

Any Dispatches from Central Asia Welcome
Tamelane's Children is an interesting collection of snapshots of life in this fascinating part of the world.As a former Peace Corps volunteer who spent three years in Uzbekistan, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.It brought back many memories.
If I have any caveats, they have to do with the apparent willingness of the author to take the pronouncements of the repressive Uzbek regime as truth.The real truth of life in Uzbekistan requires more investigation than this book provides.

Worth Picking Up
There have been a handful of books published lately that can be considered part of a small "went to work in Central Asia, kept a journal, and made a book from it" genre. Examples include Uzbekistan a Short Road Traveled by William Duncan, Keith Rosten's Once in Kazakhstan: The Snow Leopard Emerges, Rob Ferguson's The Devil and the Disappearing Sea, and Unknown Sands by John W. Kropf.

Robert Rand's Tamerlane's Children: Dispatches from Contemporary Uzbekistan, though somewhat in this genre, is a different creature altogether from Ferguson's book. Rand lived and worked in Uzbekistan between August 2001 and November 2004 as a writer and freelance journalist. He left for Uzbekistan, he says "as a trailing spouse," following his wife who took up a position with the United Nations in Tashkent.

Tamerlane's Children is divided into two sections. The first consists of seven journalistic chapters covering topics and personalities such as love in Uzbekistan, cotton, Amir Timur, and Sevara Nazarkhan. The second part tries to capture what it was like living in Uzbekistan and is compiled from Rand's personal diary, his reporter's notebooks, and interview transcripts. The book wraps up with a chapter on Andijon and a look at the future. The book strikes a good balance between the personal and the informative, and, though it may sound weird coming from me, may be worth picking up solely for conversation with Craig Murray. But even if Murray's not enough to motivate you, Tamerlane's Children is worth picking up as a snapshot of life in contemporary Uzbekistan. ... Read more

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This new study by its president of Uzbekistan's special opportunities and challenges as it faces the 21st century will be of interest to strategists, politicians and students of the post-Soviet climate. ... Read more

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The author analyzes the prospects for long-term stability in Uzbekistan, where an authoritarian system of rule has been firmly entrenched. Following an examination of political institutions and parties, she explores potential areas of instability, including ethnic and religious tensions, as well as the prolonged conflict in Tajikistan. Part two discusses Uzbekistan's principal foreign policy initiatives, concentrating on the young state's attempts to forge multilateral cooperation structures in order to counterbalance Russia's influence in the region. ... Read more

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Kazakhstan, Kirgystan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have all become independent states in central Asia, following the break-up of the USSR. All have Muslim majorities and ancient histories, but are otherwise very different. This book provides an introduction to the region. Rashid gives a history of each country, including its incorporation into Tsarist Russia to the present day. He provides basic socio-economic information and explains the diverse political situations. He focuses primarily on the underlying issues confronting these societies: the legacy of Soviet rule; ethnic tensions; the position of women; the future of Islam; the question of nuclear proliferation; and the fundamental choices over economic strategy, political system and external orientation which lie ahead. ... Read more