Chechnya : from nationalism to jihad /

This text by Hughes (London School of Economics and Political Science) is part of the University of Pennsylvania Press series on National and Ethnic Conflict in the 21st Century. It is an exemplary case study, well written, and on the whole, balanced. There are three distinct themes in the work. The first is the basic historical case study chronicling the Chechen "nationalism to jihad" dichotomy. This is the strongest part of a very good book. The second focuses on the terrorism versus freedom fighter dichotomy, with a rather long diversion into defining terrorism. Those interested in the concept of terrorism will be delighted to find this chapter presents a good overview. The last chapter of the work places the conflict within a broad spectrum of social science theory. This chapter is more successful in organizing and summarizing the theory than with its application to Chechnya. Throughout, insights into the consequences of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the re-constitution of a federated Russia, and the leadership of Vladimir Putin abound. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through practitioners. R. M. Fulton Northwest Missouri State University