Geographically and historically Inner Asia is a confusing area which is much in need of interpretation. Svat Soucek’s book offers a short and accessible introduction to the history of the region. The narrative, which begins with the arrival of Islam, proceeds chrono-logically, charting the rise and fall of the changing dynasties, the Russian conquest of Central Asia and the fall of the Soviet Union.Dynastic tables and maps augment and elucidate the text. The contemporary focus rests on the seven countries which make up the core of present-day Eurasia, that is Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Sinkiang, and Mongolia.Since 1991, there has been renewed interest in these countries which has prompted considerable political, cultural, economic, and religious debate. While a vast and divergent literature has evolved in consequence, no short survey of the region has been attempted .Soucek’s history of Inner Asia promises to fill this gap and to become an indispensable source of information for anyone studying or visiting the area.

Maps :-
1 Inner Asia: principal political units - Page viii
2 Kök Turkic Empire, ca. 622 - 52
3 Mongol Empire, ca. 1294 - 102
4 Timurid Empire - 124
5 Central Asia, ca. 1825 - 176
6 Central Asia under Tsarist Russia - 194
7 Sinkiang (Chinese Turkestan) - 264
8 Kazakhstan - 276
9 Kyrgyzstan - 277
10 Tajikistan - 278
11 Turkmenistan - 279
12 Uzbekistan - 280
13 Mongolia - 296