Historical Dictionary of Turkmenistan

Rafis Abazov (Author)

Hardback ~~$132.00~~ $118.80

Hardback $132.00

Hardback $132.00

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Description

Turkmenistan is known for its huge oil and gas resources, as well as for the rich, complex, and captivating history of the Turkmen people. For centuries they were known as skillful and courageous warriors who left deep marks in the histories of other countries, such as India, Russia, Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Egypt. As craftsmen, they constructed extraordinary architectural monuments, whose ruins can be found all over the country, and famous Turkoman carpets are still highly valued in many parts of the world. Yet, for centuries, foreign invaders and local tribal conflict plagued the land with wars that devastated the Turkmen society and destroyed its magnificent but fragile oases. In the late 19th century, the Turkmens witnessed the establishment of the Russian Empire in their lands. In the years following, these lands were united by the Soviet government into a single political entity in an attempt to force the Soviet style nation-state building and socio-economic transformations. In 1991, the Turkmen parliament voted for the country's independence and promised to build a sovereign state capable of bringing prosperity and social and political stability to the society. The reality, however, proved to be more complex. After more than 15 years of independence, Turkmenistan still faces a number of difficulties, including economic and structural issues, security challenges, growing competition between various clans, and widespread poverty.

Historical Dictionary of Turkmenistan provides a concise overview of the historical development of Turkmenistan. The introduction and chronology provide an overview of the Turkmen history, focusing on the history of the country in the 20th century, political and economic development, ethnic policies, and nation building. This is the first comprehensive reference book on Turkmenistan published in English that provides comprehensive up-to-date details about the contemporary history, economy, and culture. The dictionary consists of approximately 300 entries a

Chapter 1 Editor's Foreword
Chapter 2 Acknowledgments
Chapter 3 Reader's Note
Chapter 4 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Chapter 5 Maps
Chapter 6 Chronology
Chapter 7 Introduction
Chapter 8 THE DICTIONARY
Chapter 9 Appendix A: Selected Statistical Data
Chapter 10 Appendix B: Changes in Geographic Names
Chapter 11 Bibliography
Chapter 12 About the Author

Product details

Published	Dec 16 2004
Format	Hardback
Edition	1st
Extent	344
ISBN	9780810853621
Imprint	Scarecrow Press
Dimensions	9 x 6 inches
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

Author

Rafis Abazov

Detailed surveys of Turkmenistan are rare, and even when studies are done on the country, it is usually grouped together with its neighbors, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Thus, for a quick reference or overview of the subject, this book is the only recent offering. Even had it been one of many, however, its attention to detail and thoroughness would set it apart. Highly recommended.

Reference Reviews
...highly informative....a great addition to any public or academic library.

Slavic and East European Information Resources
There is no comparable, up-to-date reference book for Turkmenistan. Recommended. All academic and public libraries.

Choice Reviews
...a pioneering contribution in the advancement of studies on Central Asia...

(translated from Spanish), Transoxiana
Publication of the Historical Dictionary of Turkmenistan is one of [the] first steps in filling the existing gap in studies of this country. This work covers modern history of the Turkmen people and Turkmen statehood in a concise form within the context of Central Asian and Middle Eastern history....this very solid work goes beyond what is expected in a simple reference work. The Historical Dictionary of Turkmenistan is valuable reading for anyone interested in understanding the modern history of Turkmenistan and important regional issues.

Central Eurasian Studies Review
Abazov (international and public affairs, Columbia U.), who has written widely on Central Asian countries, begins his reference on Turkmenistan with a 100-page introduction on such matters as the land and people, economy, the history of both the territory and the people from the earliest times through the Czarist and Soviet periods to independence and the present, and the current social and economic situation. The entries are highly cross-referenced. He also includes a guide to transliteration and pronunciation, and a bibliographic essay to introduce the classified bibliography.

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