Central Asia in World History (New Oxford World History)

The topics are well presented and relatively up to date.Even though it is not fully illustrated as I would have liked, considering it is not a popular subject andlittle is know (photos) of the archaeology and anthropology of the region, it is good reading and very informative of the main topics presented. Like it very much.

Central Asia is often overlooked in history - or told from the view point of outsiders and enemies. This book helps to remedy that problem by focusing on Central Asian history from the inside. The book is very short and easy to read through (139 pages of text). Some of the chronological historical chapters can be a bit dense (due to the huge amount of information packed therein). None of the subjects are treated in depth because the point of the book is to be an overview. If readers would like more depth, the book includes sufficient detail to know what to look for in monographs or more specific books (including names of leaders, tribes, cities, regions, and dates) but for readers unfamiliar with the region or wanting to read a solid introduction, this is the book. Central Asia in World History is a great entry into the history of central Asia and hopefully will inspire many people to learn more about this important region.

This history is broad and enlightening while being short enough for a quick read. True to its introduction, it does indeed describe the role of this large, but poorly understood region, in the development of world trade (e.g., the Silk Road), military technology (e.g., the composite bow) and modern nations (e.g., Turkey and the Stans). The history is authoritative naming leaders, tribes and cities with extensive notes for further study. Nevertheless, given the strangeness of the names and remoteness of the places cited, the book could be improved significantly with one or more maps per chapter to chart the ebb and flow of the competing peoples.

This is a short survey of the history of Central Asia. Since the history is complex this is good place to start before trying something more difficult. I don't think that Ban Chao reached the Caspian and the Russian army did not march across Siberia.

This was a really interesting narrative, because each chapter is written as a unitary essay about a particular time period. As a result, the author weaves together the ebbs and flows of dynasties, the movement of peoples, and the cultural development of many communities.I really appreciate how well the author tied these themes together. They surveyed kings and commoners - what was the literacy rate in Tsarist Tatarstan? How did Uzbek herdsmen live? Sure, tell me about the Sogdian dancers who performed in China!Ethnogenesis plays a major role in this book. How did different peoples change their langauges and religion and us/them identities. How did Turkic peoples become Ozbeks become modern Uzbeks? How did Ozbek-Kazaqs become Kazakhs, with a threefold Great/Middle/Little Horde social division? And what is a Tajik?My only critique is that the book needed more maps. For as many cities, archaeological sites, natural landmarks, and nomad states that were named, only a few are mentioned on maps. For example - Transoxiana is referenced constantly, and yet on none of the books maps is "Oxus River" labelled. My favorite example is this bit from page 54:"This is evident in the extraordinary wall paintings that have been preserved in the ruins of the Sogdian city of Panjikand. It was briefly the capital of Dewashtich, a ruler who titled himself the King of Sogdia."Question - where's Sogdia! If we have an archaeological site, a city, and a kingdom, surely one of these could appear on a map.Aside from that, this was a great book. The most interesting thing I learned was about how the control of horses enabled the Mongol conquests. The author highlighted how Chinggis Khan himself focused on conquering other Central Asian states - the Jin Khanate in northern China, the Khwarazamanian Shahs of Transoxiana, the Naimans and Merkits, the Tanguts. As a result, by his death the Mongols controlled over 50% of the global horse population (p. 84). No wonder they were so powerful!Although there are definitely more resources in the back, the actual text is quick and easy - and I say that as a compliment. I picked this up because frankly, I play a lot of strategy computer games and I was curious about the Central Asian peoples and places that show up. This is just 139 pages, and I actually feel like I learned a lot without this being dense.If you have even the slightest tiniest interest in Central Asia, go ahead and give this a read.

A broad overview of Central Asian history that skimps on certain themes and cultures,many rushes through the modern age. The author also has an interesting pro-China bent, which leads him to present historical alliances in a way that isn't always entirely accurate. More maps and perhaps a tree of how all the different Central Asian people's are related would have been much appreciated.Overall - good for a glance at regional history, but shouldn't be used a definitive guide.

Lots of names and !ates but very interesting and comprehensive summary of an area that had a significant impact on world socio-econmic and poltical growth and development.

This book is an introduction to the world of Central Asia,It explains the domination of central asia by Iranian Speaking Peoples and their replacement and absorption in the medieval times by Turkic Speakers. However the book offers more than that and it gives a political narrative as well as cultural history of the region without tying it to one ethnic group or another; Which the author has succeded at.

It was disappointing to get this book. I am from Central Asia originally, and I've started collecting books about its history and art so I can share and pass on some aspects of my heritage to my kids. For a history of the entire region, it's an extremely small and thin book. Just writing about Genghis Khan alone would be a heftier tome, and this is supposed to include more prominent figures and far longer timeline. Certainly not worth the price - considering the number of pages and amount of information, it turns out quite costly! I can't help thinking it was just Peter Golden's PhD thesis, that he turned around and decided to publish as a book. The only plus I can point out at the moment is that it's written in an easy to read language, not too dense and boring as some thesis work may be. So if you just want a high-level big brush-stroke type of introduction to Central Asian history, this may just work for you.

Rigorous and well organised, but too short to be a reference.

This is a really informative book that can be read or referenced. Well-packaged, on time and good condition

nil of note.

I bought this book as I will be visiting the Central Asia soon, and I am a self confessed history addict.It is a good summary that covers a huge region over an equally huge amount of time. There is a useful Chronology at the back, and the chapters are logically based.There are a few maps within the book however a few more would have been useful. At times, for the uninitiated such as me, it can become a little confusing as you jump from one ruler to the next with their various tribal links and inter-links. Read in in small sections helps!In conclusion I am better informed than I was, and that was the purpose of buying the book!