Eurasian Crossroads: A History of Xinjiang Illustrated Edition

by James Millward (Author)

13 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-0231139250

ISBN-10: 023113925X

Why is ISBN important?

Other Sellers

from

Other Sellers

See all 9 versions

Only 11 left in stock (more on the way).

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

FREE delivery: Saturday, July 31 Details

Fastest delivery: Wednesday, July 28
Order within 3 hrs and 57 mins Details

Eurasian Crossroads is the first comprehensive history of Xinjiang, the vast central Eurasian region bordering India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia. Forming one-sixth of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Xinjiang stands at the crossroads between China, India, the Mediterranean, and Russia and has, since the Bronze Age, played a pivotal role in the social, cultural, and political development of Asia and the world.

Xinjiang was once the hub of the Silk Road and the conduit through which Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam entered China. It was also the point at which the Chinese, Turkic, Tibetan, and Mongolian empires communicated and struggled with one another. Xinjiang's population comprises Kazakhs, Kirghiz, and Uighurs, all Turkic Muslim peoples, as well as Han Chinese, and competing Chinese and Turkic nationalist visions continue to threaten the region's political and economic stability. Besides separatist concerns, Xinjiang's energy resources, strategic position, and rapid development have gained it international attention in recent decades.

Drawing on primary sources in several Asian and European languages, James Millward presents a thorough study of Xinjiang's history and people from antiquity to the present and takes a balanced look at the position of Turkic Muslims within the PRC today. While offering fresh material and perspectives for specialists, this engaging survey of Xinjiang's rich environmental, cultural, and ethno-political heritage is also written for travelers, students, and anyone eager to learn about this vital connector between East and West.

Frequently bought together

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

Rian Thum
8
Hardcover
33 offers from $24.05
Sean R. Roberts
52
Hardcover
20 offers from $18.54
James A. Millward
2
Paperback
28 offers from $27.99
Justin M Jacobs
6
Paperback
21 offers from $23.90
Gardner Bovingdon
12
Paperback
20 offers from $21.00
S. Frederick Starr
5
Paperback
21 offers from $28.18

Customers who bought this item also bought

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

Rian Thum
8
Hardcover
33 offers from $24.05
David Brophy
9
Hardcover
25 offers from $42.00
Justin M Jacobs
6
Paperback
21 offers from $23.90
Sean R. Roberts
52
Hardcover
20 offers from $18.54
Peter C. Perdue
28
Paperback
22 offers from $19.28
Gardner Bovingdon
12
Paperback
20 offers from $21.00

Editorial Reviews

Review

The scope and depth of Mr. Millward's latest text is unmatched. -- Ilaria Maria Sala ― Far Eastern Economic Review

The requisite scholarly reading on the region. -- Nicolas Becquelin ― China Quarterly

[An] excellent... and invaluable book. -- Jonathan Mirsky ― New York Review of Books

Well written, well documented, analytical, detailed and stimulating. I recommend it strongly. -- Colin MacKerras ― American Historical Review

The first successful attempt to grapple with the entire history of Xinjiang... Recommended. ― Choice

A masterful and insightful piece of integrative scholarship, unique in the literature in its scope and execution, and a pleasure to read. -- Morgan Liu ― H-Soyuz

Millward's book fills an important gap in the growing literature on Xingjiang, and it will be indispensable to students. -- Ildiko Beller-Hann ― The Journal of Asian Studies

About the Author

James Millward is professor of intersocietal history at the Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University. He specializes in the history of China and Central Eurasia, including Xinjiang. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, a journalist, and two daughters.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Columbia University Press; Illustrated edition (July 28, 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 023113925X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0231139250
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.45 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.14 x 0.94 x 9.21 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,282,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #345 in Central Asia History
- #1,035 in Asian History (Books)
- #2,760 in Chinese History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
13 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		46%
4 star		26%
3 star		12%
2 star		5%
1 star		11%

How are ratings calculated?

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

A neglected area that finally gets it's overdue attention.

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2017

Verified Purchase

This is the only available book in English that details the history of Xinjiang. The author, James Millward, is a scholar of Central Asian Studies and the Silk Road, so this is a expertly crafted book. There is extensive notes, pictures, and maps throughout the book along with a concise timeline and a wonderful biblography for further reading. The book pays much more attention to modern Xinjiang which is very enlightening but I believe the chapters of pre-modern Xinjiang are more fascinating and informative as the medieval Eastern Steppes are lacking historical resources. This is a unique book that fills a desperate gap in Central Asian history and does a invaluable service to the history of Xinjiang.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

China Letter

Crossroads of the world!

Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2011

Verified Purchase

In terms of a topic I do not think anyone could have chosen one harder than a history of Xinjiang. To research it and then to make it into a readable and informative book is something Mr Millward has achieved admirably.

Xinjiang, or, more precisely, the area know known as Xinjiang has truly been at the crossroads of East and West, North and South, and as such has been subject to a considerable number of diverse and fluctuating influences. The rapidity and fluidity of change is, to my mind at least, unparalleled in the history of any region in the world.

As such, the research alone to put this book together would have required considerable skill.

Is it a definitive history of Xinjiang? No, it is not. Does it have faults? Yes, it does. But these are not criticisms because I honestly believe such a book that does not exhibit some of these characteristics could not be written. Given that the region has been at the crossroads of civilisations source material is written in many languages, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Swedish et al. And much of it remains hidden in vaults owned by the previous U.S.S.R. and the current Communist People's Republic of China.

Nonetheless, Mr Millwards's offering is very well done and for anyone a little interested in this fantastic land and the people that have lived in it and passed through it, this book is an ideal starting point in a never ending journey of discovery.

A forewarning ... Every single person and peoples, places or events with anything to do with the region has hundreds of different names and spelling variations and, for the novice, this is extremely daunting at first, but persevere it is worth it!

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Linus

The Author May Like to Reverify His Facts

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2017

Verified Purchase

While claiming to give a satellite camera view of Sinkiang and neighbouring areas, the author for some inexplicable reason chooses to be guided by erroneous ancient Chinese texts for the geographical description of the area, when it is fully known that many of these texts do not capture reality they purport to be describing and are currently of little geographical value. Chou En-lai attempted to draw inspiration from these texts during discussions with Nehru on the Sino-Indian boundary question in New Delhi in 1960. James Millward, the author, without reference to modern geographical literature, confuses the Kunlun Mountains, which skirt the southern rim of the Tarim Basin, with the Karakoram Mountains, which lie several miles to the south of these, in a manner similar to what Chou had tried some 47 years earlier. By doing so, Millward may have unwittingly lent himself open to criticism that in his professional work he appears to be guided more by some age old Chinese text than hard scientific evidence.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Wesley Teraoka

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2016

Verified Purchase

Average condition

Helpful

Augustus

Thorough and balanced history of a little known region

Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2020

The author makes diligent efforts to see both the Chinese, Muslim and Russian perspectives in narrating the complex history of this little-known region. Even for Chinese people, Xinjiang Province is a region of myth and mystery, and the centuries of migrations, wars and revolts can be bewildering. But the author sorts it all out in a balanced and clear manner. He also adds a helpful Appendix to summarize the overall historical timeline. The only shortcomings are (1) the book would benefit from more maps, showing the principal periods described, and (2) it would be great if the book were updated. The narrative seems to run through 2005 and therefore does not describe most of the CCP's persecution of Uyghurs that has brought the region to the world's attention since that time.

Helpful