This book is a must read for those who wish to fully understand genocide and take the first step in formulating solutions to this common modern day problem.

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.

The main theme of this book is the conflict in Karabakh between Armenia and Azerbaijan which still goes on. Unfortunately, the author failed to show all sides of the story and is definitely biased towards the Armenian side. In fact, the Armenian side is actually the aggressor in this war and is the side that virtually expelled all Azerbaijani population of Zangezur, Goyche, and Karabakh from their homeland, thus completing an unprecedented ethnic cleansing campaign. Therefore, it is sad that L. Chorbajian et, al try to "forget" this fact and support the openly racist policy of Armenian side.

Not only the modern conflict is pictured from a wrong angle, but the entire history of the region is "rewritten". For example, ancient Azerbaijani lands of Karabakh and Zangezur were depicted as "historically Armenian", and the Armenians who first migrated into Caucasus about 250 years ago were claimed to be "the oldest nation" in this part of the world. Such unprofessional remarks are very dangerous considering the already unstable relations and ethnic tensions in Caucasus.

I hope the readers of this book will try to gather enough information from independent sources and look at the issue from that perspective. In any case, I wish the authors of "Caucasian Knot" to add little objectivity to their future works.

FROM: The Aeolian Kid / Aeolian_Kid@hotmail.com...

TO: All amazon.com Readers...

DATE: 3-19-2000, 5:16 PM EST, WAMESIT...

ITEM: THE CAUCASIAN KNOT: THE HISTORY AND GEOPOLITICS OF NAGORNO-KARABAGH (POLITICS IN CONTEMPORARY ASIA)

Dear Reader,

... If people want to know and understand the historical truth (NOT the historically-revised propaganda of certain powerful political entities) about Armenians and Armenia in general, and the ancient Armenian region of what is now called "Nagorno-Karabagh" in particular, then this is a very valuable book to read.

... Every sinle statement is backed-up with academic references in the notes section of the book. It is NOT light reading - and not intended to be. But, if you are the kind of person who likes to "dig deep" into a topic, you can dig no deeper than this book: it is a substantial tome to be reckoned with! The authors are ALL highly acclaimed scholars and researchers in their respective fields, and it is quite clear that each of them knows their history and knows what they are talking about - big time. The "mass-media" regular-press has NOT fully informed the general public about the total truth of the Armenian struggle that has been taking place in Nagorno-Karabagh! A lot of this has to do with the oil that is coming out of the Caspian Sea through Azerbaijan, as well as the fact that Turkey is both a close NATO ally of the United States and Israel.

... This mountainous, sacred, rich, and beautiful part of ancient "Hayastan" - the Armenian name for Armenia - is sincerely desirous of its reunification back with the motherland, back to its original state before the Soviet Union, under Stalin, "assigned" its geographic placement within the political borders of Azerbaijan for reasons that suited the Soviet Union more than it suited its Armenian ancient inhabitants. These people have lived here, as Armenians, since the times of the ancient Urartian Kingdom - WAY BEFORE The Azeris, The Russians, and The Turks laid claim to this area.

... Like the struggles for independence taking place in Northern Ireland, in Palestine, in Tibet, on the island of Cyprus, and with The Kurds, the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabagh want their national, geographic, and political autonomy back. Reading this book will prove to you that the Armenian people deserve it. It is theirs; it belongs to them - and with them it should stay.

... Please, do NOT read this book if you wish to remain ignorant about this important matter or to remain deceived about the historical truth of the situation in Nagorno-Karabagh! It may open your eyes.

"Caucasian Knot" is the most important book ever written on the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. It highlights the causes of the opposition of this Armenian region to the authorities of the self-proclaimed "Azerbaijani Republic," a Moslem state committed to weed out the indigenous Christians from the territory she currently controls by virtue of having petroleum, and, thus, some political clout beyond her borders. The book is well-written, well-researched and presents many invaluable documents in native languages. Recommended to anyone who is serious about history of the Caucasus.

This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in the history and politics of a fascinating little country called Nagorno Karabagh, or Artsakh in Armenian. It should not be overlooked by anybody who is keen to learn more about the Caucasus, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. The text traces Armenian history from its earliest forms to recent times with impressive detail. It is academic but readable and enjoyable. This is an example of how a good history book should be written. I am delighted to have such a memorable book on my library shelves. The authors presented deeply revealing guide to modern culture and politics of the volatile Caucasus that fills a wide gap in general knowledge. The tone of the text is balanced but maybe too scholarly. It rendered me great assistance when I was working on my dissertation on Caucasian politics back in mid-1990s. The book is free of any offensive or biased remarks concerning any ethnic groups in the Caucasus and is notable for its clear humanistic appeal. When I visited the region three years ago on a humanitarian mission, my own experience only confirmed the value of the "Caucasian Knot."

"Caucasian Knot" is about the current plight of the people of Nagorno Karabakh, a long suffered Armenian Christian land that freed itself from the Azerbaijani yoke a decade ago. It is a sorry situation since the Armenians of Artsakh are among the oldest distinct population groupings of Eurasia. Armenian settlements and a distinct political entity have existed in Artsakh since the 2nd century B.C. The book shows that Armenian independence prevailed there until the collapse and partition of the first Armenian state in the 5th Century A.D. At that time, between 480 and 483, Moses of Xoren wrote his famous "History of Armenia"-a manifestation of importance of Artsakh in Armenian civilization. In contrast to other Armenian lands, until the late Middle Ages, the Armenian principalities in Artsakh retained their independence under Persia's nominal rule.

The Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh were among the first in the region to embrace Christianity back in 301 A.D. in the aftermath of the missionary activities of St. Gregory the Illuminator. In this context, the repeated destruction and rebuilding of the Monastery of Amaras symbolizes the resilience and determination of the Armenians of Artsakh. First built around 330 A.D. by St. Gregory the Illuminator, it has been repeatedly damaged and destroyed by countless invaders--such as the Arabs, the Persians, the Mongols and the Turks--only to be rebuilt again and again by the local population. The Monastery in Amaras was last damaged by the Azerbaijani chauvinist bigots in 1992, during Nagorno Karabakh's bitter war for independence. It has since been rebuilt and its centrality in Armenian religious life restored.

"Caucasian Knot" shows that the Armenians' quest for independence has long history. In the late 1980s, as the population of the then Soviet Union was awakened to rediscover national roots, as well as cultural and religious heritage, so did Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh. By then, they had a history of quest for independence despite Soviet oppression. Significantly, since 1923, Nagorno Karabakh was a distinct Autonomous Region within Azerbaijan-a status that reflected the population's distinction. The Armenian population became restive due to severe discrimination by the governing Communist regime in Baku since the thaw of the early 1960s, including protests in the late 1960s demanding self-determination within the confines of the USSR.

In the late 1980s, the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh were alarmed by the rise of Turkic militancy in Azerbaijan. The legacy of the 1918-1920 slaughter of Armenians by Turkish and Azerbaijani forces-especially the March 1920 destruction of Shushi, an Armenian cultural center that lost its Armenian population and character until recaptured in May 1992- was revived by pogroms in Baku and "ethnic cleansing" of Armenian population throughout the region since 1988. No less alarming was the Azerbaijani blockade aimed to starve the Armenian population into surrender and self-imposed exile. Hence, once the Armenians' quest for self-determination was rejected by the Soviet and subsequently Azerbaijani authorities, the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh embarked on their quest for independence as the sole guarantor for their self-survival.

The Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh declared their independence and vowed to defend the Armenian character of their land. They then withstood a three-year long brutal war in which the vastly superior Azerbaijani forces strove to destroy them completely. Presently, the population of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh is a mixture of the local population and Armenian refugees from parts of Nagorno-Karabakh still held by Azerbaijani forces, as well as ethnically cleansed Armenian communities in other parts of Azerbaijan, most notably Baku. They are trying to rebuild their country. A mere 150,000-200,000 people surrounded by a sea of hate with only a corridor to Armenia as a life-line of sustenance.

Therefore, we should recognize the determination of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh to preserve and revise their heritage and take control of their lives. In an era where the United States has stood up to the rights of endangered minorities to self-determination, stability, and betterment of life, we should not neglect the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Armenian people of Artsakh. They have already fought and sacrificed enormously in order to attain these rights. They deserve not only our congratulations, but our recognition and help, so that they can continue to grow and develop free of existential threats.

The "Caucasian Knot..." is undisputedly the most objective and thorough analysis of history and politics of one of the most significant parts of larger Armenian homeland-Artsakh-known today as Nagorno-Karabagh. This amazing work offers tremendous detail and insight and is a terrific effort by talented historians and political scientists. I found the book informative, colorful, and convincing. The Christian people of this tiny region, before they won independence in 1991, were in struggle for freedom with Azerbaijani Turks, (Azerbaijanis, Azeris, or Caucasian Tartars), the descendants of nomadic Moslem migrants from Central Asian steppes. Azerbaijani chauvinists, violent and racist as they are, denied political and cultural rights of Azerbaijan's Christian minorities and in 1987 spearheaded the policies of "ethnic cleansing," thus producing blueprints of violence lately put to work in the Balkans.

Not surprising, this book continues to enrage Azerbaijani nationalists, as it masterfully deconstructs their genocidal fantasies and exposes their goals: to grab the lands of their Christian as well as Persian-speaking neighbors, "expropriate" their cultural legacies, and then evict them from their own lands. As it is widely known, Azerbaijani pastoral tribesmen did not exist as a nation and even as a single ethnic group before 1920s, with their Soviet-crafted "statehood" being an unfortunate yet dangerous side-effect of the 19th century Caspian oil boom. Envious to the ancient cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Caucasus and Iran-Armenians, Georgians and Persians-and driven by a desire to justify their ever growing territorial ambitions, Azerbaijanis recently embarked on a project to enrich their thin historical record, either by manufacturing it from scratch or by producing bizarre tales and myths which, understandably, quickly become anecdotes in western scholarly circles.

However, there exist objective reasons for Azerbaijani historical revisionism. The book shows how young Azerbaijani nationalism replicates the path once walked by its ethnic kin, Turkish nationalism. In 1920s and 1930s the Turks tried to "prove" that all world languages derived from Turkish (it was the so-called "Sun Theory of Languages," a schizophrenically funny Kemalist project) and that the ancient Trojans and Hittites, for example, were all, in fact, "proto-Turks." In the similar fashion, Azerbaijanis, who treat Turkey as a model of their nation-building, try today to "prove" that all historical, cultural, and architectural monuments found on the territory of today's Azerbaijan were created not by the indigenous settled Christians or Zoroastrians of the Caspian, centuries ago before the first Turkic herdsman put his foot on the land of the Caucasus (together with his sheep), but by Azerbaijanis themselves.

The authors of the book vividly demonstrate how the myth about the "Caucasian Albanians" (or correctly speaking, Aghvanians, a mysterious Christianized people, extinct by the 7th century), were conveniently used to deny the political and cultural rights of native Armenians of the region. The putative "Albanian" homeland was "stretched" by the imaginative Azerbaijani map-makers far, far westward to include contemporary Nagorno-Karabagh, with Armenian architectural monuments declared as "Albanian." Despite the vigorous protests of local population, 75 churches and monasteries, whose Armenian roots were especially difficult to deny as their walls were covered by Armenian engraved texts, were blown up or otherwise demolished by Azerbaijani KGB troops, between 1954-1991. Priests and monks were imprisoned or killed right on site. (Fortunately, 850 more churches in Nagorno-Karabagh survived the ordeal and the stone-borne Armenian texts are still there, telling the stories of glory and pride).

The authors of the "Caucasian Knot..." demonstrate that according to the 18th century Azerbaijani chronologists, nomadic Turkic tribes from Iran were settled in the mountainous part of Karabagh only in the late 18th century, not constituting even 5% of its population both in the 19th and 20th centuries. One of these chronologists is Jamal Javanshir Qarabaghi, whose book "History of Karabagh" (Tarikh-E Qarabagh) is available at AMAZON.COM. Jamal Javanshir Qarabaghi's text proves that the Armenians solely inhabited western Azerbaijan-west to the Kura (or Kur) river-from pre-Christian times and, thus, constituted an absolute demographic majority in Karabagh's mountainous part by mid-XVIII century. However, the Azerbaijani nationalists are so deeply entranced by their own myth-production, they have little idea what their own historians have to tell them!

The violent game of the revisionists seems to be close to its end. Due to the absurd nature of their claims, Azerbaijani "scholars" quickly become pariahs in western universities, which no longer accept academic exchange-visitors from Azerbaijan's notorious Academy of Historical Sciences. As to the literature on Nagorno-Karabagh, it is ever popular, especially as the region quickly becomes a beloved destination for the growing number of both western tourists and scholars.