- Hardcover: 336 pages
- Publisher: Atlantic Books; First UK edition edition (9 Oct 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1843541203
- ISBN-13: 978-1843541202
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.6 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 892,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Colin Thubron, author of Lost Heart of Asia
‘An urgent, vigorous insight into a vital corner of the new century.’
Product Description
The Caspian Region, lying south of Russia, west of China and north of Afghanistan, contains the world's largest untapped oil and gas resources. As much as 200 billion barrels of crude oil and 40 per cent of the world's global gas reserves can be found in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. In the years between the death of the Soviet Union and September 11, 2001, oil companies and politicians have struggled to possess and develop these resources. Using a concept immortalised by Kipling in his novel Kim, Lutz Kleveman argues that there is now a new "Great Game" in the region, in which the US, Russia, China, India, Pakistan and Iran - most of which are nuclear powers - are competing. He contends that after 9/11, the formidable power of the US has started to drive towards "full spectrum dominance"; that is, global hegemony in the military, political and economic sphere. Kleveman has produced an insightful and exacting portrait of a new theatre of war, a region in which there are few rules and in which the rewards for victory are nothing less than power and prosperity in the new century.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I decided to look for other Kleveman titles having enjoyed this one so much when I came across your previous reviewer's comments. I have to agree as I did indeed read it with my atlas by my side!
I've only knocked off a single star for the lack of maps as I wouldn't want to discourage people from picking up this even handed and informative review of foreign policy in the Near East.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a good primer for the political situation in the Caspian area It should be essential reading for the numerous expats involved in the oil industry in the country's mentioned, but it is written in such a way that anyone can enjoy the revelations Kleveman has put to paper.
The book is well structured, each country is dealt with as a seperate chapter but it interlocks to tell the story of the whole area.
My only negative comment is that some of his research has likely been compiled over a few beers in the expat bars that litter the Caspian oil towns. Some of the stories Kleveman has mentioned, especially in Kazakhstan are rather far fetched (I have worked in Kazakhstan for the last seven years) and have undoubtedly been exaggerated by some degree by the subjects Kleveman interviewed. The oil industry expat's ability to spin stories is as widespread as the corruption.
The chapter on Turkmenistan was excellent, a real eye-opener to this unusual country. Kleveman's coverage of the 'pipe-line' poilitics throughout the book deserve special mention as well.
The book is slightly dated now, there have been a number of events, eg. the uprising in Uzbekistan that have left the book back in the past. Hopefully Kleveman will pack his back-pack again and complete another circuit to produce an updated version, if he does I will certainly be buying it.
The book is well structured, each country is dealt with as a seperate chapter but it interlocks to tell the story of the whole area.
My only negative comment is that some of his research has likely been compiled over a few beers in the expat bars that litter the Caspian oil towns. Some of the stories Kleveman has mentioned, especially in Kazakhstan are rather far fetched (I have worked in Kazakhstan for the last seven years) and have undoubtedly been exaggerated by some degree by the subjects Kleveman interviewed. The oil industry expat's ability to spin stories is as widespread as the corruption.
The chapter on Turkmenistan was excellent, a real eye-opener to this unusual country. Kleveman's coverage of the 'pipe-line' poilitics throughout the book deserve special mention as well.
The book is slightly dated now, there have been a number of events, eg. the uprising in Uzbekistan that have left the book back in the past. Hopefully Kleveman will pack his back-pack again and complete another circuit to produce an updated version, if he does I will certainly be buying it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A fascinating read, I work for a oil company in Kazakhstan which is mentioned in the book and found the political insight absolutely amazing. I recommend this to all who either are working in the region or who are interested in the politics of the Caspian and beyond.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Disappointing
Well written, interesting and informative but why no maps? How can you write a book about oil pipelines in an obscure part of the world and not have maps? Read more
Published 18 months ago by bob
I've Been Everywhere Man
I have heard it said, that on the planet Zog, in a galaxy many light years away, this book is often read to children before they go to sleep. Read more
Published 18 months ago by conjunction
An outstanding piece of journalism
Lutz Kleveman gives us an overview of the region with colour, vitality, intrigue and passion. He has an obvious enthusiasm for the region, and its people, and a keen sense of... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mike
The great game or the great trip?
Mildly interesting as an intimistic (we even get descriptions of the way people are dressed and the tariff of paid sex at a border post) travel book but it unfortunately lacks... Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2009 by Akerib Michel
Where are we ?
V. Informative but badly let down by lack of maps. revised edition needs an area map + individual country maps.
Published on 10 Mar 2009 by K. J. Neil
Good hook for further reading, but...
Certainly the book is interesting: enough so that I was compelled enough to read it in a couple of days. But as to what I have got from doing so I am a little less clear. Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2009 by N.G.Habsburg
Very interesting, brief introduction to the subject
In my opinion, TNGG provides a good introduction to the geopolitics and recent history of the area. Each of the main countries in central Asia is covered in a single chapter, a... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2007 by Overseas Reviewer
Disappointing to say the least
This book summarizes all events of the region from the last few years. If one regularly reads the newspaper then it offers not much new. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2006 by F. Meilicke
Both real and surreal -- this is an eye opener
"On the wall behind the Foreign Minister [of Abkhazia]'s desk is a life-sized embroidered picture of a naked woman." [Page 46]
Surreal! Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2005
Useful survey of oil and politics in the Caspian region
Lutz Kleveman, a German journalist, recently travelled across Georgia, Chechnya, Kazakhstan, China, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, sharply... Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2005 by William Podmore
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