Review by Choice Review
Based on a vast English, French, and German bibliography, this study is based on a deep understanding of the historical background and cultural diversity within the geopolitical Caspian region. While emphasizing the enormous potential of the region as a source of energy on a global scale, the authors are careful to point out that, besides the political conflicts within and on the margins of this basin, there are also multiple geological and geographic barriers, some known and some still to be discovered, to a smooth economic exploitation of the underground energy reserves. The Caucasus is not Saudi Arabia, where one can often approach with an ocean-going tanker almost to within sight of a gushing oil well. Especially knowledgeable is the authors' discussion of the virtually global aspect of the competition for the Caspian oil reserves among states as well as among the world's largest oil companies. Caspian oil, located as it is in the core of Sir Halford Mackinder's "Heartland," involves whole continents: China and Japan compete for it from the Far East, Europe from the West, and the US from across the oceans. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. General readers and upper-division undergraduates through professionals. L. K. D. Kristof emeritus, Portland State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
