After reading Tajikistan: The Trials of Independence (see review), my perspective of this region was broadened immensely with Calming the Ferghana Valley. An in-depth study of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan (with particular focus on Northern Tajikistan) and Kyrgystan, the book acts as more of a petition, or call to action, to secure stability in these regions before the continued fragility, confusion, and disintegration of the political and social structure influences an irreversible course toward explosive upheaval.

The recent events in Afghanistan have demonstrated how far-reaching the effects of socio-political unrest can be. They have also demonstrated how strategically valuable these countries can be, being located in the middle of the tumultuous Asian continent. This book is a first attempt at staving off the violent actions and reactions that may or may not occur as a result of the unrest. But with the bombings in Osh, Kyrgystan; the kidnappings and "disappearances" in Tajikistan, and the secret unrest in Uzbekistan, it does not take much influence to convince one that the unrest may be more violent than diplomatic.
I'm just a guy from Minnesota, USA. I have never been to any of these places and probably never will go. Reading this book, however, gives me an apprecation for the struggles that these people encounter every day--both on an individual level and on the governmental level.
The land is a beautiful land, ranging from deserts to spectacular mountains. The people there have a desire to succeed and, with a little of our help, as proposed in this book, perhaps they will.
Read it--Learn a little about this world that you live upon!

This book really helped me on my school project. It was the only book I needed to get 100% on a paper worth 200 pts. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more on Tajikistan, or anyone doing a report on it. 5 STARS!!!!

I first became aware of Tajikistan after receiving a new globe as a wedding gift. I spun it and my finger dropped on the tiny country. I remarked to my new wife, "I wonder what they do there?" Ever since, I have been facinated by this mysterious country half a world away. The series of essays contained within "Tajikistan: The Trials of Independence" provide an in-depth, and occassionally disconcerting, picture of the pains this country has encountered in its short independent life. It provides a detailed ethnographic study that underscores the deep divisions within the population; it chronicles the struggle to combat rebel opposition from within and drug trafficers from without; it also shows how foreign aid (and, primarily, Russian military protection) has prevented total collapse. I have never been to Tajikistan; I have no ties to the country. This book, however, has given me a new appreciation for its struggles.

This is a good starting point for every student who have just started to explore Tajikistan and its Soviet and post-Soviet history.
Extensive systematized bibliographyis also very helpful.

I am returning this item because:
-Proper names are not spelled in standard English forms (the publisher of this map is in Germany)
-It is difficult to read the map - it is a topographic map, which is unnecessary and makes it difficult to find and read the cities, notes etc. printed in red.

Even if one is familiar with the region it is difficult to find things on this map!