Azerbaijan: A Quest for Identity (Caucasus World) [Hardcover]

Charles van der Leeuw (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312219032 | ISBN-13: 978-0312219031 | Publication Date: July 21, 2000

This is the first history in English of Azerbaijan from the first evidence of inhabitation in pre-historic times to the oil-dominated political economy of today. Azerbaijan finds itself increasingly the focus of international attention, with the discovery of the Caspian region as one of the world's centers of production of oil and the increased strategic and cultural significance of the Caucasus in the post-Soviet period. Moreover, it is the only Shi'ite-dominated country in the world apart from Iran--and in contrast to its southern neighbor, an example of religious and social tolerance where the clergy have no place in politics. Drawing on a wide range of authorities, Charles van der Leeuw defines the concept of Azerbaijan national identity through the process of history, building up a clear picture of the modern nation, its people, and their aspirations.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charles van der Leeuw is a journalist and author of Storm Over the Caucasus. He has spent many years in Azerbaijan.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (July 21, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312219032
• ISBN-13: 978-0312219031
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,379,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overview of history in the region of Azerbaijan, September 21, 2008

By 

Bas Van Der Veen (Gent,Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Azerbaijan: A Quest for Identity (Caucasus World) (Hardcover)

I just finished reading this book and although it has been written at the end of the millenium, the book hasn't lost any urgency describing the difficulties Azerbaijan and the Azeri people face. Most people in the West tend to ignore the legacy the Soviet Union has left behind and this has led to many errors in the field of economy and diplomacy in the past decades. Charles van der Leeuw is much more aware of these historical factors and his description of the Karabakh conflict is a refreshing one. He is able to point to many, nowadays all but forgotten errors of judgement made by the UN and OSCE, but also by Russia and other powers involved in the South Caucasus. It is a shame this work was never followed up with more insightful books on Azerbaijan, because this is badly needed.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ignore the Previous Review, February 4, 2005

By 

C. Anderson (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Azerbaijan: A Quest for Identity (Caucasus World) (Hardcover)

Each side of the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia has totaly politized the history of this area. This book is a decent attempt to parse the history of this politicially contentious area. It seems that the previous review disagrees with the Mr. van der Leeuw's attempt at neutrality.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book; and yes, ignore the review by "lusine", January 20, 2006

By 

Aliya "Aliya" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Azerbaijan: A Quest for Identity (Caucasus World) (Hardcover)

This is a great book about azerbaijani nation. Regarding the revue by 'lusine', I totally support C. Anderson's point. She seems to be emotional about the whole Azerbaijani-Armenian thing and therefore cannot be objective in her review.