Excited to read The Rugged Flanks of the Caucasus when it's republished. I am just about done with The Expedition to Khiva and have really enjoyed learning about this time period in the region. I can't help but constantly think of parallels the expedition had with American efforts to reign gain control from one ocean to another across a brutal frontier. When The Rugged Flanks of the Caucasus gets republished, will you be providing an intro like the one in Expedition to Khiva? That was very well done.
I’ll definitely add an introduction, but it might not be as long and as detailed as the previous one. In the case of a republished book, I almost feel like a long introduction is “intruding” upon the original text, but I will see. I’m still thinking things over.
Yeah, it isn't a perfect fit. FWIW, most of the worst fighting the US had with Indians came well before this exact time frame and most of what came to mind was the brutality and competence of the Comanche.
Thanks for the tip, I'll try and search out Morrisons book. The rail project is of course now all tied into the China strategy of a 'silk road' to the West although the Russians still have a big hand in it.
When I went to contract work in Kazakhstan (the rail from Almaty to the Caspian) in prep I did my best to learn Russian and read up on the history. My favourite book though (English) was The Great Game - do you know if similar exists from a Russian perspective?
Yes, Alexander Morrison's "The Russian Conquest of Central Asia" is the closest equivalent in English I think. I'll try to post some translations about the Trans-Caspian railway here too going forward, which you might like
Excited to read The Rugged Flanks of the Caucasus when it's republished. I am just about done with The Expedition to Khiva and have really enjoyed learning about this time period in the region. I can't help but constantly think of parallels the expedition had with American efforts to reign gain control from one ocean to another across a brutal frontier. When The Rugged Flanks of the Caucasus gets republished, will you be providing an intro like the one in Expedition to Khiva? That was very well done.
Thank you!!
I’ll definitely add an introduction, but it might not be as long and as detailed as the previous one. In the case of a republished book, I almost feel like a long introduction is “intruding” upon the original text, but I will see. I’m still thinking things over.
A good comparison but Indians didn't had serious fortifications and artillery.
Yeah, it isn't a perfect fit. FWIW, most of the worst fighting the US had with Indians came well before this exact time frame and most of what came to mind was the brutality and competence of the Comanche.
Thanks for the tip, I'll try and search out Morrisons book. The rail project is of course now all tied into the China strategy of a 'silk road' to the West although the Russians still have a big hand in it.
When I went to contract work in Kazakhstan (the rail from Almaty to the Caspian) in prep I did my best to learn Russian and read up on the history. My favourite book though (English) was The Great Game - do you know if similar exists from a Russian perspective?
Yes, Alexander Morrison's "The Russian Conquest of Central Asia" is the closest equivalent in English I think. I'll try to post some translations about the Trans-Caspian railway here too going forward, which you might like