Review by Choice Review
This outstanding work of historical scholarship examines the construction of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the years leading up to, during, and following the 1917 October Revolution. To truly appreciate it, readers should be familiar with the general history of the late Russian empire and early Soviet Union. Focusing on cultural and political reform, Khalid (Asian studies and history, Carleton College) uses literature, poetry (much of which he reproduces in the original language alongside translation), newspaper articles, and archival sources to shape his argument. This impressive array of sources is in Uzbek, Persian, Turkish, Russian, German, Italian, and French. Khalid demonstrates in great detail that the "making" of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan was not spurred on by nationalism; that was managed by "the complex interaction of intellectuals, state power, the classificatory grid of science and much else." Rather, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were constructed as territories and then, as in Eugene Weber's Peasants into Frenchmen (CH, Feb'77), Uzbek and Tajik national consciousness was developed. Through exploration of language and alphabet reform; developments in Islam, schools, and literature; and the efforts of Communist Party leadership and local intellectuals, Khalid illuminates ways the "Muslims of Central Asia" became Uzbeks and Tajiks. A great book for specialists! Summing Up: Essential. Graduate students, faculty, specialists. --Victoria Clement, Kennan Institute
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
