The Ghost of Freedom: A History of the Caucasus

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Charles King (, Ion Ratiu Associate Professor of Romanian Studies, Associate Professor of International Affairs, and Associate Professor of Government, Georgetown University)

The Ghost of Freedom

A History of the Caucasus

Charles King (, Ion Ratiu Associate Professor of Romanian Studies, Associate Professor of International Affairs, and Associate Professor of Government, Georgetown University)

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English

Oxford University Press
01 February 2008

History; European history

The Caucasus mountains rise at the intersection of Europe, Russia, and the Middle East. A land of astonishing natural beauty and a dizzying array of ancient cultures, the Caucasus for most of the twentieth century lay inside the Soviet Union, before movements of national liberation created newly independent countries and sparked the devastating war in Chechnya.

Combining riveting storytelling with insightful analysis, The Ghost of Freedom is the first general history of the modern Caucasus, stretching from the beginning of Russian imperial expansion up to the rise of new countries after the Soviet Union's collapse. In evocative and accessible prose, Charles King reveals how tsars, highlanders, revolutionaries, and adventurers have contributed to the fascinating history of this borderland, providing an indispensable guide to the complicated histories, politics, and cultures of this intriguing frontier. Based on new research in multiple languages, the book shows how the struggle for freedom in the mountains, hills, and plains of the Caucasus has been a perennial theme over the last two hundred years--a struggle which has led to liberation as well as to new forms of captivity. The book sheds

valuable light on the origins of modern disputes, including the ongoing war in Chechnya, conflicts in Georgia and Azerbaijan, and debates over oil from the Caspian Sea and its impact on world markets.

Ranging from the salons of Russian writers to the circus sideshows of America, from the offices of European diplomats to the villages of Muslim mountaineers, The Ghost of Freedom paints a rich portrait of one of the world's most turbulent and least understood regions.

By: Charles King ( Ion Ratiu Associate Professor of Romanian Studies Associate Professor of International Affairs and Associate Professor of Government Georgetown University)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 167mm, Width: 240mm, Spine: 29mm
Weight: 653g
ISBN: 9780195177756
ISBN 10: 0195177754
Pages: 314
Publication Date: 01 February 2008
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

INTRODUCTION; EPILOGUE; NOTES; ON SOURCES

Reviews for The Ghost of Freedom: A History of the Caucasus

King has produced a work that is remarkable for its breadth of coverage, the depth of the author's insights, and the eloquence of the text. It is hard to imagine how the goal King set himself could have been better achieved. George Hewitt SOAS Charles King has written a very instructive and interesting book Norman Stone New Statesman The Ghost of Freedom provides an excellent analysis of the region's turbulent history since the late 18th century; offers a rich exploration of how the Caucasus has been imagined by outsiders; and gives a good overview of contemporary conflicts and developments in the region. Nina Caspersen, Times Higher Education Supplement