- Hardcover: 592 pages
- Publisher: Kodansha International Ltd (Sep 1992)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 4770017030
- ISBN-13: 978-4770017031
- Product Dimensions: 24.1 x 16.5 x 5.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
57,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #19 in Books > History > Europe > Russia > Russian Heads of State
- #50 in Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Government & Politics > Countries & Regions > Middle East
- #60 in Books > History > Countries & Regions > Asia > India
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
THE GREATGAME: THE EPIC STORY BEHIND TODAY'S HEADLINES
Peter Hopkirk's spellbinding account of the great imperial struggle for supremacy in Central Asoa has been hailed as essential reading with that era's legacy playing itself out today.
The Great Game between Victorian Britain and Tsarist Russia was fought across desolate terrain from the Caucasus to China, over the lonely passes of the Parmirs and Karakorams, in the blazing Kerman and Helmund deserts, and through the caravan towns of the old Silk Road-both powers scrambling to control access to the riches of India and the East. When play first began, the frontiers of Russia and British India lay 2000 miles apart; by the end, this distance had shrunk to twenty miles at some points. Now, in the vacuum left by the disintegration of the Soviet Union, there is once again talk of Russian soldiers "dipping their toes in the Indian Ocean."
The Washington Post has said that "every story Peter Hopkirk touches is totally engrossing." In this gripping narrative he recounts a breathtaking tale of espionage and treachery through the actual experiences of its colorful characters. Based on meticulous scholarship and on-the-spot research, this is the history at the core of today's geopolitics. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Peter Hopkirk's spellbinding account of the great imperial struggle for supremacy in Central Asoa has been hailed as essential reading with that era's legacy playing itself out today.
The Great Game between Victorian Britain and Tsarist Russia was fought across desolate terrain from the Caucasus to China, over the lonely passes of the Parmirs and Karakorams, in the blazing Kerman and Helmund deserts, and through the caravan towns of the old Silk Road-both powers scrambling to control access to the riches of India and the East. When play first began, the frontiers of Russia and British India lay 2000 miles apart; by the end, this distance had shrunk to twenty miles at some points. Now, in the vacuum left by the disintegration of the Soviet Union, there is once again talk of Russian soldiers "dipping their toes in the Indian Ocean."
The Washington Post has said that "every story Peter Hopkirk touches is totally engrossing." In this gripping narrative he recounts a breathtaking tale of espionage and treachery through the actual experiences of its colorful characters. Based on meticulous scholarship and on-the-spot research, this is the history at the core of today's geopolitics. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
"You could smell them coming, it was said, even before you heard the thunder of their hooves." Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
"You could smell them coming, it was said, even before you heard the thunder of their hooves." Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Hopkirk's splendidly fluid narrative describes with tremendous zeal
and excitement the cold-war like atmosphere that prevailed in Asia Minor from 1830 to 1900. The British, as they ruled
India, realized that it was one of their most treasured possessions. And Russia recognized this as well. From the time of
Peter the Great, Russia had always wanted to posses India and her resources. From the times that Nadir Shah, the ruler of
mighty Persia, sacked Delhi and took away as much as he possibly carry over the hostile passes of the Hindukush
mountain, the wealth of India was legendary. Even Napoleon, prior to his disastrous invasion of Russia, had approached
the Tsar and proposed a combined effort to drive the British out of India and capture the country and it's fabulous
wealth. But since a sea invasion was impossible logistically for Russia, a land invasion was the only choice. The Great Game
recounts will chilling detail and with great political intrigue the events and actions that forged Central Asia what it is today as
a result of this quest for conquest. But in his book Hopkirk also does us a wonderful favour: he recounts the travels, in brief,
of some of the most intrepid and enduring of the Great Game Travelers like Alexander Burnes, Robert Shaw, and Fred Burnaby.
and excitement the cold-war like atmosphere that prevailed in Asia Minor from 1830 to 1900. The British, as they ruled
India, realized that it was one of their most treasured possessions. And Russia recognized this as well. From the time of
Peter the Great, Russia had always wanted to posses India and her resources. From the times that Nadir Shah, the ruler of
mighty Persia, sacked Delhi and took away as much as he possibly carry over the hostile passes of the Hindukush
mountain, the wealth of India was legendary. Even Napoleon, prior to his disastrous invasion of Russia, had approached
the Tsar and proposed a combined effort to drive the British out of India and capture the country and it's fabulous
wealth. But since a sea invasion was impossible logistically for Russia, a land invasion was the only choice. The Great Game
recounts will chilling detail and with great political intrigue the events and actions that forged Central Asia what it is today as
a result of this quest for conquest. But in his book Hopkirk also does us a wonderful favour: he recounts the travels, in brief,
of some of the most intrepid and enduring of the Great Game Travelers like Alexander Burnes, Robert Shaw, and Fred Burnaby.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Meticulously researched and brilliantly rendered account of Imperial rivalry between Russia and Britain in the 19th century over control of Asia and the northern passages to India.
Nor does the author neglect to highlight the human cost paid by those who were subjects and victims of this struggle.
A must-read for anyone who wants to understand the conflicts today in central asia. I certainly hope the author will issue an updated edition in the near future now that sealed Russian archives have become (I assume) more accessible.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Add this book to your must read list. It lends clarity and perspective to so many recent events in Central Asia, you'll wish you'd read it sooner.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Classic
A great read about a fascinating period of history. It only saddens me to see history repeat itself time and again.
Published 15 months ago by jcrpage
Truly great book
Not much to add to what has already been written about this book. Very well written, really brings the persons and events to life, very informative about the history of the region. Read more
Published 19 months ago by A customer
Splendid account of Central Asian History
I read this book in a week, despite its 500 pages. It is truly grapping and you won't put it down. I wish more people read the book and knew such a rich history of Central Asia. Read more
Published on 31 July 1999
Outstanding treatment of history
This is the best history book I've ever read (a close second is Friedman's 'From Beirut to Jerusalem')- assuming history is about politics. Read more
Published on 17 April 1999
A brilliant account of an earlier "Cold War."
This is a terrific book, a story of military strategy and intrigue that is complex yet remarkably easy to follow. Read more
Published on 10 April 1999
How did he find out all this stuff...the guys a genius.
This was not supposed to be my type of book at all and boy was I pleasantly surprised.
It's gripping and enlightening and I cant beleive that it all actually... Read more
Published on 7 April 1999
Indespesable for those doing business in Central Asia.
If you are doing business in the southern tier of the Former Soviet Union or Central Asia you are crazy if you have not read this book and its companion volumes "Setting the... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 1999
relevant and intriguing
The Great Game combines rich historical accounts with adept political insights and presents them in a literary style that reads like fiction. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 1999
Extraordinary adventure in a world we left behind
After reading this book, I went straight out and bought Peter Hopkirk's others.
This is a fascinating tale from a different era, of the confident and audacious adventurers,... Read more
Published on 20 Jan 1999
First Class Read, Interesting and Intriguing. still curent
A first class book that encompasses an era of history that reflects current geopolitical problems in Central Asia and the Middle East. Read more
Published on 24 Oct 1998
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