The Caspian Region, lying south of Russia, west of China and north of Afghanistan, contains the world's largest untapped oil and gas resources. 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.. 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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Review
"'Travelling with some danger to himself and marshalling the political and historical facts with authority, Kleveman [produces] a coherent study of a notoriously complex and unpredictable region, much of which is torn by terrible violence and civil wars.' Patrick French, Sunday Times 'A timely, panoramic book examin[ing] the consequences of the presence of enormous quantities of fossil fuels in one of the world's most inaccessible and unstable regions.' Andy Beckett, The Guardian; 'Kleveman brim[s] with ingenuity... His reportage is first-class and his findings truly enlightening.' Hazhir Teimourian, Literary Review"
About the Author
Lutz Kleveman was born in Germany and studied at the London School of Economics. Bilingual in English and German, he has reported for the Daily Telegraph, Newsweek, Sunday Telegraph, as well as German magazines and newspapers and CNN and ZDF. He works as a freelance journalist based in New York.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Ian Barwick
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.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
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.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
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 structure that I found useful and logical.
The book is written in a fairly objective tone with a reasonable number of anecdotes that maintain interest. It is not, however, an in depth study so if you follow the broadsheets or read 'Foreign Affairs' every couple of months then this will not educate you - I don't and TNGG did teach me a lot.
The book is written in a fairly objective tone with a reasonable number of anecdotes that maintain interest. It is not, however, an in depth study so if you follow the broadsheets or read 'Foreign Affairs' every couple of months then this will not educate you - I don't and TNGG did teach me a lot.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Today's Cold War
Excellent book describing how the political cold war of spying between the East & West has moved into the economic war of oil strategy, geographic manipulation and wrestling for... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Scouseman
5.0 out of 5 stars
An enthralling read about the most secluded region of the world
A must for anyone who wants to know more about the policies of the 3 major players in central Asia.
Published 2 months ago by Kevin Winston
3.0 out of 5 stars
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 on 2 Dec 2010 by bob
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 on 11 Nov 2010 by conjunction
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 on 15 Oct 2010 by Mike
2.0 out of 5 stars
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
3.0 out of 5 stars
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
3.0 out of 5 stars
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
2.0 out of 5 stars
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
5.0 out of 5 stars
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
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