The Caspian Region at a Crossroad: Challenges of a New Frontier of Energy and Development [Hardcover]

Hooshang Amirahmadi (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 10, 2000 | ISBN-10: 031222351X | ISBN-13: 978-0312223519

The emergence of the Caspian region as a new frontier of energy and development in the 1990s was one of the most surprising events to follow the collapse of the former Soviet Union. However, because of the "oil rush," interstate rivalry, and the hasty approaches to studying the area’s potential and needs, a very lopsided understanding of the region has emerged. The Caspian Region at a Crossroad attempts to correct this deficiency with essays by recognized experts in the region.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...an excellent collection of essays on the Caspian region's energy, development, and security.
-MESA Bulletin

About the Author

Hooshang Amirahmadi is a professor at Rutgers. His books include Small Islands, Big Politics.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (June 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031222351X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312223519
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,286,491 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best so far !, June 1, 2001

By 

Andy M A Christian - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Caspian Region at a Crossroad: Challenges of a New Frontier of Energy and Development (Hardcover)

Firstly let me begin by stating that I have read this work cover to cover three times and several chapters many times more. It is the best I have read to date and I have nearly every work (in English) on the Caspian - in regards to energy expliotation there is, so I do speak from a position of knowledge.

Although printed in early 2000 I did not get my copy until mid 2000. Compared to other works this is in a league of its own - both for content and the broad range of contributors. One of the things that bug me about works on the Caspian region is that IRan is relegated to a passing comment - because America's influence or its pipeline mentality seems to overcome other writers. This does work does not. Iran is central through this work.

Divided into 5 sections, with 16 chapters, this work natually being an edited work allows the reader to pick and choose sections or chapters to read. I particularly enjoyed the emphaise throughout the work on Iran - it was even-handed in its measure - which is what you would expect.

As with other works there is a section on the legal perspective of the Caspian and the chapter by Mirfendereski is very good - providing insights I have not come across in other works or articles.

The work is nearly 300 pages in length including notes, and was worth all of the $..... I paid for it - hardcover and a falling Australian Dollar did not help. This book is for those already with a reasonable knowledge of the region and with that in mind other introductory works such as Amineh or Crossiant/Bulents works may be better suited for the novice - of course there will always be overlaps between similar works but by far this is the best yet.

Part of the reason why I enjoyed this work so much is that it focuses on littoral communities of the region (and a brief chapter to America as well)(can't get away from them ) so in that regard it is not an all in one compendium, and there is a strong emphasis throughout the work on the actual Caspian Sea itself - as well as the energy reserves. It is a good book and worth the money.