To Catch a Tartar by Chris Bird

by Chris Bird

Former Associated Press journalist Chris Bird lived for many years in the midst of the Chechen conflict; in this engrossing account, he offers a first–hand insight into the history of a region still in turmoil today.In To Catch a Tartar, Chris Bird traces a personal journey through the violent de–colonialization of the Soviet empire, recording a war in which lightly armed Chechen fighters held their own against tens of thousands of Russian troops, a conflict that in many essentials has not changed since Lermontov and Tolstoy fought the gortsy, the “mountaineers” of the Caucasus. Instructive and erudite, this is an absorbing history of a still–unknown corner of the world. Chris Bird is the former Caucasus correspondent for Agence France–Presse and The Associated Press.

Genres: Travel, History

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bird does a good job in presenting the plight of the Chechen people, whose current story (let alone history) is little known outside Russia, save occasional headlines here and there. I confess I ended up skimming towards the end for the last couple of chapters (the Chechen story is rather grim and doesn't get better), but can recommend the book as an engaging, first-hand, objective account.

[Jane E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunningly good reporting on the first Chechen war with interesting historical nuggets thrown in for good measure. Well written and never boring. (Purchased secondhand at Skoob Books, London, UK)