The Azerbaijani Turks: Power and Identity Under Russian Rule (Studies of Nationalities)

by Audrey L. Altstadt, Wayne C. Vucinich

Release Date: May, 1992

Edition: Paperback

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The Azerbaijani Turks: Power and Identity Under Russian Rule

The authors did a great job in researching a lot of historical documents, however what seemed obvious to me is that they had decided to write about such a delicate subject as Azerbaijan's history without researching sources probably other than those available in the West, in Russia and provided by Azeris themselves, who did not have that traditions of historiography, as Armenians and Georgians for instance have. As they acknowledge in the book, Aztrbaijan is a relatively new formation in the history, which in many cases explains the nature of the Soviet era Azeri interpretation of the history, which among others aimed to justify Azerbaijan's geopolitical position, create a kind of history, which would match with the neighboring countries with really " old" histories.

That is why heavy influence by Azerbaijani sources does not help the authors much to fairly present the history of Azerbaijan (both past and present) and especially its relationship with Armenia and Armenians. In the bibliography I noticed 1-2 Armenian sources among hundreds that they used. There are lots of Armenian ancient sources (Armenain ancient historian Knorenatsi, for example) that could be used. Presentation of events in Sumgait and Baku seem also very biased and heavily influenced by Azeri official position. I follow Azeri media for the last 7 years and the identity of your position with the Azeris was unfavorably striking.

Anyway, I would like to thank them for the interest in the region. I just wish they had a more thorough analysis of the available historical data and more balanced approach in presenting their thoughts.