Review by Choice Review
This expertly written volume, the first in any language on Soviet Turkmenistan, describes its shift from an obedient Soviet republic to an independent Turkmenistan with its own flag, national anthem, and problems. In 1917, the Turkmen were seminomadic tribesmen speaking numerous dialects, often fighting one another. Soviet rule in 1921 created a unified nation-state with a national language. The Soviet regime, stresses the author, was not a "breaker of nations," but midwife to separate countries achieving eventual independence. Edgar (Univ. of California, Santa Barbara) examines Soviet efforts in the 1920-30s to create a modern socialist Turkmenistan with a national territory and government, single language, and mass educational system. The Soviets undermined traditional tribal elites, banned "barbaric" practices through forced collectivization, and imposed cotton growing, exalting the collective over the individual. The author describes Soviet assaults on traditional marriage and family and women's emancipation. In 1991, when the USSR collapsed, the Turkmen SSR, declaring independence, fostered development of historic national traditions, jettisoned Soviet ideology, and committed to a market economy. Edgar conducted extensive research in Russian archives and Turkmen materials. Maps and illustrations are excellent. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. All academic levels/libraries. D. MacKenzie emeritus, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
