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This books presents authoritative coverage of the country's place in the world, bridging West and East: its spectacular landscape and its ecological challenges; its people and their patterns of life; its turbulent history and astonishing heritage of material culture; its governmental structures; contemporary society; and Kazakhstan's highly significant economy and prospects. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great book for learning about Kaz!
My family is also adopting from Kaz-and we purchased this book as a coffee table book and we have all enjoyed reading it. I was just reading another book that recommended getting yourself aquainted with your child's birth country (when adopting internationally)and recommended getting a coffee table book and actually opening it!We have opened it and enjoy looking at the pictures and I am sure as soon as "Baby Kaz" is old enough, she/he will enjoy looking at it too.

Great for Adoptive Parents
My husband and I are traveling to adopt a child or maybe two from Kazakhstan.I purchased this book as a Christmas present for my husband.We really enjoy reading it together.

There are fabulous pictures, maps and diagrams and it really gives you a quick lesson on the history.My nephews also love looking at the pictures and learning about the country from which their cousins come from.I would definately recommend this book to all of those traveling to Kazakhstan to adopt.I am sure many others would like it, too. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from APS Diplomat Operations in Oil Diplomacy, published by Pam Stein/Input Solutions on August 27, 2001. The length of the article is 995 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: KAZAKHSTAN - Nursultan Nazarbayev - President of Kazakhstan.(history of President Nursultan Nazarbayev's rise to power)(Brief Article)
Publication: APS Diplomat Operations in Oil Diplomacy (Newsletter)
Date: August 27, 2001
Publisher: Pam Stein/Input Solutions
Volume: 42Issue: 2Page: NA

Article Type: Brief Article

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

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Jonathan Aitken skilfully analyses the country's achievements in all its complexity to explain Kazakhstan and Nazarbayev's emergence on the international stage. Kazakhstan is colossal in size, complicated in its history, colourful in its culture and is a nation state that most outsiders know little of. Much of the existing narrative revolves around the country's first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev. But his life can only be understood in the context of the land in which he was born, raised and became a leader. For centuries the tribes of Kazakhstan had been plundered and conquered by foreign invaders. The most ruthless of these were the 20th century leaders of the Soviet Union, but after its collapse it was Nazarbayev who emerged as the new President of the nation state. Jonathan Aitken's masterly book is a riveting account of how Kazakhstan has capitalised on its natural resources (including oil) to become one of the great economic success stories of the modern era. Nazarbayev himself is widely admired as a political leader and strategist, having overcome extraordinary crises including hyperinflation, food shortages and the emigration of two million people. However, his record on human rights is less than perfect and the independence of the judiciary and the press are questionable. Corruption is also widespread in Kazakh society. The obstacles faced in becoming a successful economy are described and examined honestly in this truly fascinating story. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Nazarbayev: "A Benevolent Form of Autocracy" for Kazakhstan
This is the first really credible biography of Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who has been at the former Soviet republic's helm since the 1980s. At 248 pages of text, the book provides a very well-written and informative account of the life of this controversial leader.

The author, Jonathan Aitken, is a former British Member of Parliament (who apparently spent some time in prison and was ousted from Parliament in disgrace). There is not much background either in the book or on the web about how this former MP came into the confidence of both Nazarbayev and, evidently, Gorbachev, but however he did so, it makes for a very good narrative, riddled with solid facts that support his claims.

As to those claims, it must be mentioned that Aitken's bio of the Kazakhstani leader is staunchly pro-Nazarbayev. I was shocked that a Westerner would take such a slant. Almost all public press on Nazarbayev in the West is overwhelmingly negative, fraught with complaints and murmurings about rigged elections, Duvalierian despotism, and comparisons with both Stalin and Islamic extremists. I expected to read a condemnation of the president, but what I had at the end of the book was a new sense of Nursultan Nazarbayev both as a leader and a man. How? Aitken is simply that convincing a writer. One might try to write even that much off to Aitken's having been "duped" by Nazarbayev and his press, but the solid statistics and flawless accounts of events would seem, in my opinion, to make the case in the Kazakh leader's favor. I believe that the reader will come away with a similar opinion on Nazarbayev. He is far from a democratic leader, but his "brand" of democracy may actually be evolving in conjunction with the winds of progress in Kazakhstan. I am not in any way making any excuses for totalitarianism; rather I believe that Aitken truly uncovered the greatness of Nazarbayev's character and achievements while still maintaining a wary stance.

A very well-written book, and probably the best biography of a post-Soviet Central Asian leader yet written. (Now if we could just get similar lives of Islom Karimov and Saparmurat Niyazov!) ... Read more

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Part of a series that offers mainly linguistic and anthropological research and teaching/learning material on a region of great cultural and strategic interest and importance in the post-Soviet era. ... Read more

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The author reconstructs collective memory theory in light of the Kazak case, stripping it of its postmodernist baggage, and proposing a place for it in a general theory of religion. This ethnography of Muslim life among the Kazaks of Central Asia describes the sacralisation of land and ethnic identity, local understanding of Islamic purity, the Kazak ancestor cult and its domestic spirituality, pilgrimage at the tombs of Sufi saints, and folk therapies shaped by traditional Islamic medicine and Inner Asian shamanism. ... Read more

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This study concentrates upon the socio-political and nationalist views of three influential representatives of the early 20th century Kazak intelligentsia: Alikhan Bokeilhanov, Akhmet Baitursynov, and Mukhamedzhan Seralin. The resulting discourse on literature, education, and politics shaped the Kazak nationalist movement before 1920. This study draws on the published works of the Kazak intelligentsia, the periodicals Ai qap (1911-1915) and Kazak (1913-1918), and archival records from the Central State Archives of the Republic of Kazakstan.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book for academics
My classes with Dr. Sabol are awesome and I know he has extensive knowledge in Central Asia and Russia and it's definitely worth reading.Enjoyable prose. ... Read more

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Edward Schatz explores the politics of kin-based clan divisions in the post-Soviet state of Kazakhstan. Drawing from extensive ethnographic and archival research, interviews, and wide-ranging secondary sources, he highlights a politics that poses a two-tiered challenge to current thinking about modernity and Central Asia. First, asking why kinship divisions do not fade from political life with modernization, he shows that the state actually constructs clan relationships by infusing them with practical political and social meaning. By activating the most important quality of clans - their 'concealability' - the state is itself responsible for the vibrant politics of these sub-ethnic divisions which has emerged and flourished in post-Soviet Kazakhstan. Sub-ethnic divisions are crucial to understanding how group solidarities and power relations coexist and where they intersect. But, in a second challenge to current thinking, Schatz argues that clan politics should not be understood simply as competition among primordial groups.Rather, the meanings attributed to clan relationships - both the public stigmas and the publicly proclaimed pride in clans - are part and parcel of this contest. Drawing parallels with relevant cases from the Middle East, East and North Africa, and other parts of the former USSR, Schatz concludes that a more appropriate policy may be achieved by making clans a legitimate part of political and social life, rendering them less powerful or corrupt by increasing their transparency. Political scientists, sociologists, anthropologists, policy makers, and others who study state power and identity groups will find a wealth of empirical material and conceptual innovation for discussion and debate. ... Read more

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This biographical dictionary, based on a Turkic manuscript compiled in 1912, is essential for all those interested in the Islamic history of Central Asia under Russian and Chinese rule. Covering the period from 1770 - 1912, it brings to life the muslim communities of Sufis and scholars of the eastern Kazakh steppe. Its extensive biographical information provides fresh insights into the intellectual, political, and religious life of a region for which indigenous Islamic sources are virtually unknown. With a historical and textological introduction, full English translation, extensive notes, and an Arabic-script Turkic text. ... Read more

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Kazakhstan’s oil and gas reserves are among the largest in the world. At the outset of independence 10 years ago, Kazakhstan’s leaders promised that the country’s rich natural resources would soon bring economic prosperity, and it appeared that democracy was beginning to take hold in this newly independent state.

A decade later, economic reform is mired in widespread corruption. A regime that flirted with democracy is now laying the foundation for family-based, authoritarian rule. The first thorough examination of the development of this ethnically diverse and strategically vital nation, Kazakhstan: Unfulfilled Promise is a valuable resource for policymakers, scholars, and students concerned with the process of transition from communism to independent statehood in the former Soviet Union. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

All Lies
A big pile of lies that Ms. Olcott put together is nothing but a political order intended to badmouth and misrepresent this country. I was infuriated by this book, I lived in Kazakhstan for 20 years and nothing in this book is close to being true.

Not easy to read but so definitely worth it
If you no background whatsoever on Kazakhstan then it might be a bit difficult to follow all the events.Having said that, Martha Olcott is by far one of the biggest experts on Kazakhstan and if you want to see the opinion of the best then you should give this book a shot.

lacks a lot of supporting information, no comparisons ...
except for Nigeria.
For an "analytical work" the book has a few noticable biases and faults :
1. The book asserts certain claims that are either unreasonable or completely out of hand with the reality. For example, in 1991 Alash Party attempted to assasinate!!! Mr. Derbesaliev, who now became head of Kazakh moslems. FYI: Alash party existed in 1917-1918 and fought for independence from Russian Empire and later Communist Russia, however, the leaders of the party were murdered later by bolsheviks. Alash party was revived very recently (with a different agenda) as part of opposition in Kazakhstan. I am not going to touch on opposition here, because the book doesn't directly address the existence of opposition in Kazakhstan (both constructive and ultra-right/left).
2. Ms. Olcott is surprised at the fact there were no uprisings in Kazakhstan during the period of economic and political turmoil in early/mid 90's (actually, there have been none until this very day). I suppose that would in itself tell something about stability in the country. I understand that for her (or perhaps funds that sponsored her) it would have been better if there was an uprising and as a result the country would see "friendly" forces of NATO coming into the country to take care of the rich natural reserves of oil/metals/uranium/you name it, but at the same time install "democracy". I think people do remember the experience of the US in making democracies in post-WWII world; the list of Latin American and Asian countries would be a little overwhelming to be included.
3. Ms. Olcott claims that lately the difference between rich and poor grew immensely (notice, that under communism Gini index is supposed to be as low as possible). Isn't it a natural process to be observed in a country trying to go from communist society to capitalist society? Notice, Gini index in Kazakhstan is 35.4, in the US Gini index is 40.8 (data from CIA World Fact Book). Hence, the spread of incomes between rich and poor is smaller in Kazakhstan than in the US. Would that mean by Ms. Olcott's logic that the US has more issues with the layers of the society than Kazakhstan?
4. Ms. Olcott notices existence of Kazakh nationalism in the fact that Kazakhstan encourages Kazakhs to immigrate into the country. When any EU country gives a right for permanent residence/naturalization to foreign citizens based on the right of birth/ethnicity it is considered normal (of course, Ms. Olcott doesn't mention this in her book). However, Kazakhstan approved the same rights for Kazakhs living abroad, so for Ms. Olcott it is an epitome of Kazakh nationalism and attempts of Kazakh "dictator" Mr. Nazarbayev to make the country mononational.
5. The usual rule that the language of titular nation is always the state language elicits fury from Ms. Olcott when such regulations happen in Kazakhstan.
6. Ms. Olcott essentially equates the terrorism and Islam. For her, the fact that there are more Kazakhs these days who claim to be moslems is worrying and may signal the coming of terrorism. Basically, if the Americans go to church every weekend it is freedom of choice, but if Kazakh goes to a mosque that is a reason to worry. Of course she fails to mention that Kazakhstan doesn't prohibit different mainstream religions. While travelling through Kazakhstan, one can see a lot of Christian Orthodox churches, as well as a few Catholic churches and synagogues, which in Kazakhstan is certainly considered to be perfectly normal.
It seems that this book is biased in presenting the situation in Kazakhstan. I wonder who are the sponsors of this book (sounds like some oil companies could be)...

deep, heavy book but makes Kaz more understandable
We are adopting a baby from Kaz and wanted a little background on the country. This is not a light read by any means. It gives you a lot of info on the current Kaz president (and his corrupt ways), oil reserves and who's competing for them, ethnic struggles between the Russians and Kakahs, and the apathetic ways of the Kaz voters to name a few of the many topics it addresses. Get it for good background on a variety of important topics vital to Kaz's future success. ... Read more

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Covering Russia and the independent nations of the former Soviet Union, this title presents geofacts and maps about this region. ... Read more

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Kazakhstan is emerging as the most dynamic economic and political actor in Central Asia. It is the second largest country of the former Soviet Union, after the Russian Federation, and has rich natural resources, particularly oil, which is being exploited through massive US investment. Kazakhstan has an impressive record of economic growth under the leadership of President Nursultan Nazarbaev, and has ambitions to project itself as a modern, wealthy civic state, with a developed market economy. At the same time, Kazakhstan is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the region, with very substantial non-Kazakh and non-Muslim minorities. Its political regime has used elements of political clientelism and neo-traditional practices to bolster its rule. Drawing from extensive ethnographic research, interviews, and archival materials this book traces the development of national identity and statehood in Kazakhstan, focusing in particular on the attempts to build a national state. It argues that Russification and Sovietization were not simply 'top-down' processes, that they provide considerable scope for local initiatives, and that Soviet ethnically-based affirmative action policies have had a lasting impact on ethnic élite formation and the rise of a distinct brand of national consciousness.

Customer Reviews (1)

Good review of post-Soviet nation-building
This is a good solid book on the connections between Soviet formation of citizens and ethnic groups in Central Asia, and the way in which local Soviet elites have transformed themselves into post-Soviet national leaders. Dave argues that the Kazakh state is modeled on earlier Soviet ideas of a nation, a citizen, and a national or ethnic culture, and that this model provides a means for elites to use Kazakh ethnicity and language as continuing means of power. Very academic, but a good exploration of these ideas in the context of post-independence Kazakhstan.

... Read more

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In the 1990s, the former Soviet states of Central Asia experienced dramatic, revolutionary changes. Liberal economic reforms have affected every aspect of daily life, a new local elite of Mafia has rapidly taken power, and corruption and violence are now a fact of daily life.

Focusing on Kazakhstan, A Global Brothel examines the impact of the new capitalism on the everyday lives of the people of Central Asia. The author draws on extensive interviews as well as social and political analyses to explain the extent to which people have been dispossessed. The author assesses the strategies people have used to overcome poverty and insecurity: the new hallmarks of life for nearly everybody; and illustrates well the complex and human responses to the post-Soviet chaos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

First Rate Ethnography
Post-Soviet Chaos lays out with remarkable clarity the impact of the collapse of the Soviet Union on ordinary people in Kasakhstan.It is not a pretty picture.The only 'market opportunities' which seem to have expanded are for women to become prostitutes or mistresses, or, perhaps, work the 'suitcase' trade, hauling goods pretty much by hand from neighboring territories to resell. Hooliganism is on the rise. Cultural opportunities once enjoyed by all have disintegrated. Kasakh men promote patriotic pride, but mostly to lay claim to women who are gravitating to foreign men with money.Nazpary sensitively lays out the national tensions that have emerged--there are the Kasakhs, divided into three segmented groups.There are the people of the former Soviet lands.And there are the wealthy foreigners (not from Soviet lands, but from the West, or maybe China), regarded as most exploitative.One of Nazpary's most interesting points is that, while Kasakhstan is a Muslim country, there is strong nostalgia for the Soviet Union, at least in terms of the collective rights it guaranteed.He finds little evidence of a drift towards a pan-Islamic identity, notwithstanding the presumption of many Western commentators.Strongly recommended reading.

Shocking picture of counter-revolution's effects
Nazpary's remarkable book surveys the appalling effects of a real counter-revolution. Since 1990, Kazakh workers' rights to jobs, wages, welfare, free education, pensions and savings, have all been ripped away. Their access to cheap housing, electricity, gas, phones, transport, health care, childcare, sport, arts, libraries, have all gone. In the 1980s and 1990s, active NATO and IMF interventions enforced capitalism in Kazakhstan, grabbing oil, gas and metals for firms like Shell and British Gas. 15% of foreign investment is British, 23% South Korean, 29% US. Theft of public property through privatisation has closed factories and destroyed jobs: engineering and agricultural outputs both halved between 1995 and 1998.

This is what happens when the working class lets go of its controls over society, its party and trade unions.

As a young Kazakh woman said, "Before, in the Soviet time, there were moral limits and the authorities looked after them. There were high moral standards ... People were truthful. They were brought up in a good way. But today people have become like savage animals. They behave according to the law of the jungle."

Now violent and corrupt mafiosi, newly freed, traffic in drugs and sex, and become the new rich, while for the workers, there is only loss, insecurity, growing ethnic and gender tensions and huge growths in poverty and migration. Capital goes global; workers are ghettoised. The workers rightly see all these evils as resulting from the infliction of capitalism. Nazpary notes the very strong `Soviet patriotism' among the mass of the people, while the new rich view the Soviet era only as tyranny. He details the networking of family and friends in the scrabble for scarce goods, but as he notes, "tragically and paradoxically, networking as a response to the chaos perpetuates it."

In the FSU as whole, an estimated 4.7 million more people have died since 1990 as a direct result of the counter-revolution. As world capitalism, unrestrained by the USSR's existence, grows more brutal and corrupt, Kazakhstan is just one instance of problems common to workers across the world.

Kazakhstan's workers need to make a new revolution. ... 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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Offers a reconstruction of the social, cultural and legal history of the Middle Horde Kazakh steppe in the 19th century using largely untapped archival records from Kazakhstan and Russia and contemporary reports. It explores the cross-cultural encounter of laws, customs and judicial practices in the process of Russian empire-building at the local level. ... Read more

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As conflicts continue in Iraq and political tensions mount in China, the world is beginning to take notice of Central Asia as the crossroads between the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Central Asia: A Global Studies Handbook explores the three central states of the region, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, and provides insight to their past, present, and future.

The first of its kind, this reference work covers a wide range of topics on Central Asia as a whole. From the geography, history, and economics to politics, education, and religion, students and teachers will find this an informative and comprehensive research source, while business-people and travelers will discover a fascinating look into the region's society. From the times of Alexander through globalization and the politicization of Islam, the mysteries of Central Asia are finally brought to light.