The History of Central Asia: The Age of the Steppe Warriors (Volume 1)

For anyone interested in the European and Asian continents and all in between from about 100,000BCE to the current day this is a must volume in their library! To understand the historical development from a physical, geologic, topographical, climate, environmental, cultural, political and religious perspective and their interactions and interrelationships among each other from the earliest days of this area to the current day this volume establishes a tremendous framework for understanding this part of the world! I have never before seen such a comprehensive analysis of this part of the world. It provides a broader understanding of the Roman and Greek worlds as they came into contact with the peoples of the Steppe. This obviously holds true for all central Asia. An amazing insight is that I can better understand the concerns and strategic policies of China today.This is simply an awesome volume for anyone interested in the area not only from an historical perspective but also a political backgrounder that has shaped the minds of the area’s current political strategists!

Excellent story of the lives of ancient civilisations and people in parts of the world that are seldom covered for readers limited to the English language like me. Hundreds of beautiful coloured pictures of ruins, artefacts and maps to liven up the text and add context. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the earliest centuries of the buffer zone between East and West. Volume 2 is equally good.

Actually, I'm Jim Bates, Katie's husband. The book is a good reference and source book for non specialists (like myself). One of its virtues is the emphasis on geography and climatology as determinants of events in the prehistory and history of Central Asia. The seemingly never to end discussions of burial practices and grave goods can seem tiresome, but if you don't resist them and go with the flow, the reward will be enhanced skill for dealing with this kind of material and development of a base in common sense for these methods of reconstructing history. Shaky as it is, its all there is for times, places and people. I credit the author with pausing from time to time to sum up, but the book needs a lot more of this kind of text. It would be going too far to characterize it as a "data dump." but more than once the thought occurred to me.I WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED to find no discussions of the migrations of Iranian and Indic speaking tribes into Iran and the Indian subcontinent. This are two of the most consequential migrations out of Central Asia that ever occurred, but on a word about them. If the author had made a strategic decision that Iran and India were not Central Asia and therefore he was not going to cover these events, then it was a mistake. At one point we find ourselves in a substandard discussion of how the Medes defeated Scythian overlords, with no discussion of how the Medes, also Iranian language speakers from Central Asia, got to Iran in the first place. The Macedonian 's penetration to the edge of Central Asia by sticking their toes in the Syr Darya got a lot of coverage, though it was arguably far less consequential. Correcting these omissions and beefing up the approach for consolidating and interpreting findings will go along way towards making this a five star book.

The item shipped in a timely manner and the publication in perfect condition. Just keep in mind to check the size and weight of the item, because for my moving out purposes it was slightly heavy. Still, I'm enjoying every piece of information in it! Would definitely recommend to a friend.

This history is beautifully illustrated. It's a book I open often and pour over. It covers an area about which I knew very little. It's a beguiling introduction to Central Asia, inviting more perusal and deeper study.

This series of books has so far proven first rate. -- JRG

Wonderful pictures, text a bit light but effective in giving essential details without a lot of complexity not needed in such a coffee table book still with some academic value.

The research that produced this valuable encyclopedic work on the steppe nomads known to the Greeks as Scythians in Antiquity is deeply impressive and far-ranging. The maps and illustrations are splendid.

Dies ist der erste Band einer vierteiligen Reihe des Schweizer Forschers und Fotografen Christoph Baumer.Gegenstand sind Geschichte, Kunst, Kultur, Landschaften und Menschen Zentralasiens, die vor allem durch dieatemberaubenden Bilder bestechen.

be not too sceptical of a single author's ability to encompass a huge subject in a captivating and well informed manner that holds together despite the chronological ,and land mass immensity.It should work. for all ages!

Interesting, well-written, with wonderful maps, tables, and pictures. A must-read for everyone interested in the hisotry of Central Asia.

Another insight into this fascinating part of the ancient world.

DELIGHTFUL