The Caucasian Knot: The History and Geopolitics of Nagorno-Karabagh (Politics in Contemporary Asia)

by Levon Chorbajian, Patrick Donabedian, Claude Mutafian

Release Date: November, 1994

Edition: Paperback

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insightful, somewhat biased but what book isn't?

Although I admit this book tends to side with the Armenians on particular occasions, I strongly believe that it gives an accurate account of what happened and in the process, provides some insightful and clear-cut information that you may not be able to find in many other books about this subject. Anyone doing research on this issue should read this book, at least parts depending on what you are researching. As for those of you who think that this book is not worth your time because it is bias toward the Armenians, try reading Audrey Altstadt's "Azerbaijani Turks" - now there's a piece of propaganda. I admit that Chorbaijian's book could have been a little bit more objective, but let's face it - the Turks annihilated over 1 million Armenians not too long ago. I think he's entitled to some hard feelings. As for Russian and supposedly Armenian mistreatment of Azerbaijanis during the colonial and Soviet period - yes, Russians and Armenians sat in a lot of high places. BUT, if it wasn't for the Armenians and Russians who helped develop the country, Azerbaijan would look a lot like Afghanistan right now. Moreover, the fact there was NO systematic persecution of Turks or Azerbaijanis by Armenians in Azerbaijan OR Armenia, which had a considerable Azerbaijani minority at the time, gives a little insight into who's the more civilized, no? I myself am an Armenian refugee from Azerbaijan, and if you think Armenians are not allowed to have any hard feelings about ethnic cleansing, you should think twice about reading this book.

Completely portrays one side of the issue

This book consumed three days of my time and I had a hard time trying to mire what seemed like an attempt at writing a historical account of a tragic eventin such a fairy tale style. This however is one of the less egregious comments about this book. The most crucial criticism about this book is its total one sided portrayal of a so called "oppressed" group of Karabagh Armenians. I find this account of this conflict disturbing to say the least. And having lived in Azerbaijan ( a US citizen) I can tell you from the Azeri point of view that the so called "Karabagh Freedom Fighters" were more like the Karabagh ( in cohorts with their russian provacateurs) agressors. I am not going to waste my time like other reviewers going into the academic context of this conflict to support my criticism of this book. Anyone who reads this book and immediately elicits any sympathetic feelings about the Karabagh Armenians ought to take a two day trip the boundry regions of Karabagh and say hello to the Armenian snipers who take joyous potshots at innocent kids. The author never mentions the agressive nature of the Karabagh Armenians. Nor does he mention that Armenians during the Soviet regime in Baku and before the revolution almost dominated higher positions in the Baku government and professional positions-thanks to the help of their colonial masters the Russians.

The author poorly utilizes 1,000+ year historical accounts to justify the actions of the Karabagh Armenians. All accounts are of course footnoted by Armenian scholars.

Overall, this book lacks any balance and crediblity, especially since the author is of Armenian origin. To have someone such as Chorbaijan produce a book which may have an adverse long-term effect on millions of people, specifically the 565,000 Azeris whose lands are being used as buffer ( ie-kill zones) zones, is a complete act of propaganda. This book is even more dangerous as it sits on the shelves of some congressman who is completely blindsided by certain lobbying groups who have an interest in this whole conflict.