Restless Valley: Revolution, Murder, and Intrigue in the Heart of Central Asia

by Philip Shishkin

It sounds like the stuff of a fiction two revolutions, a massacre of unarmed civilians, a civil war, a drug-smuggling highway, brazen corruption schemes, contract hits, and larger-than-life characters who may be villains . . . or heroes . . . or possibly both. Yet this book is not a work of fiction. It is instead a gripping, firsthand account of Central Asia’s unfolding history from 2005 to the present. Philip Shishkin, a prize-winning journalist with extensive on-the-ground experience in the tumultuous region above Afghanistan’s northern border, focuses mainly on Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Both nations have struggled with the enormous challenges of post-Soviet independent statehood; both became entangled in America’s Afghan campaign when U.S. military bases were established within their borders. At the same time, the region was developing into a key smuggling hub for Afghanistan’s booming heroin trade. Through the eyes of local participants—the powerful and the powerless—Shishkin reconstructs how Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have ricocheted between extreme repression and democratic strivings, how alliances with the United States and Russia have brought mixed blessings, and how Stalin’s legacy of ethnic gerrymandering incites conflict even now.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics, Asia, Travel, Social Science, Journalism

328 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

I'm the author of Restless Valley Revolution Murder and Intrigue in the Heart of Central Asia, a nonfiction account of skulduggery and true crime in a region that has served as America's launchpad for the war in Afghanistan. In my previous life, I was an award-winning staff correspondent of The Wall Street Journal, reporting from all over the world. For my sins, I got to run WSJ's Baghdad bureau during the height of Iraq's sectarian war. And I've also written extensively about Turkey, Afghanistan, the Balkans, the U.S., Europe, and of course Central Asia. A fellow at the Asia Society, I now live in Beijing. In my writing, I'm drawn to life's many absurdities, stranger-than-fiction plot twists, and unlikely characters, plenty of whom populate the pages of Restless Valley.

Reviews

[Denis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began reading this book with some trepidation, as so much of the scarce writing on Central Asia is badly written and/or distorted (by ignorance, by political or cultural biases, by academese, etc), but it's genuinely good. Having lived in Kyrgyzstan during and immediately after some of the events described in the book, it was a joy to read such a well-crafted narrative that doesn't twist the complicated reality of the place to achieve that narrative. A riveting book that finally gives me a book to recommend without reservations to people who want to understand Central Asia better.

[晓木曰兮历史系 Chinese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written by a journalist who has a complicated family relationship with Central Asia and is composed of eight relatively independent reports. The second chapter talks about the drug problem in Central Asia, the third and eighth chapters talk about Uzbekistan, and the rest mainly talk about Kyrgyzstan. It's okay to look at it separately, but it feels a little out of balance when combined.

The drug problem started in Afghanistan’s poppy fields and spread endlessly.

In 2001, Afghan farmers planted 8,000 hectares of opium poppies. Nearly ten years after the invasion of the West, the poppy cultivation area has expanded more than 15 times. Just looking at this data can't help but suspect that the US military went to poor Afghanistan to buy drugs. In fact, the West began to think that as long as the insurgents were cracked down, the drug problem would be solved naturally. Later they may find that it is too difficult to occupy this country, let alone govern it.

The anti-narcotics sergeant’s monthly salary is about ninety dollars, and the one kilogram of heroin he arrested for the drug dealers is asking for more than nine hundred dollars. Even if you can find a few clean and self-conscious police chiefs, you can't resist the others to help smuggle drugs in the face of huge profits.

It seems more realistic to start with poppy farmers. "The government promised to provide cash, equipment, fertilizer, tractors, and seeds, but they didn't keep their promises." Farmers who switched to growing wheat found that drug dealers were more trustworthy. The government is corrupt and incompetent, unable to deliver subsidies, and orders alone cannot prevent farmers from growing poppies. The drug dealer not only provided poppy seeds, but also told the farmers how much to plant and provided a large advance payment.

The Kyrgyz problem is endless revolution. The government that came to power after the Tulip Revolution quickly corrupted, and the president's family looted the country's wealth. The only good news is that the president did not choose to fight to the end in the next revolution, which will inevitably lead to large-scale bloodshed and even civil war. However, the young man who slayed the dragon quickly turned into an evil dragon. The new president repeated the same mistakes and stepped down due to corruption. Chaos in the revolution is unavoidable. Day-day robbery severely disrupts order, while conspiracy assassination is even more terrible, leading to a situation where bad money drives out good money without a solution to chaos. People with political ideals are unwilling to seek refuge in foreign powers such as China, the United States, and Russia, and they will inevitably fall into a disadvantage when competing for resources.

Uzbekistan’s problem is just the opposite. There is no revolution, and the dictatorship is massacring unscrupulously. Europe and the United States demanded an independent investigation, and the Uzbek President directly expelled the Americans from the air base. A few years after sanctions were imposed, the United States had sought to turn aside the issue of human rights because of the war in Afghanistan. Most of the human rights fighters were suppressed, leaving one or two to decorate the facade. As soon as the international accusations came, they publicized how he would not die if there were no human rights here. Human rights organizations cannot obtain official resources in such a country and can only rely on foreign donations.

After the Arab Spring turned into the Arab Winter, I heard people say that we would prefer the old order rather than disorder. First of all, we have to admit that the results of Arab changes have been bad, democracy and freedom have not been obtained, and they have fallen into chaos and turmoil. Secondly, it should be explained that this change may have many kinds of results, but the reality is not the result that people want. We cannot choose Uzbekistan’s stagnant pool just because Kyrgyzstan’s situation is not as good as before. If you ask the Afghans whether to choose Taliban rule or US military rule, this is not a fair question. There must be a third option. Uzbekistan has always been desperate, while Kyrgyzstan hopes that disappointment alternates. Sometimes people still have to live on hope, no matter how slim the hope is.

Central Asia is currently the battlefield of the game between China, the United States and Russia. There is not much attention to China in the book. What impressed me most was that China nominated the "Manas" epic to be included in the "Representative List of Human Intangible Cultural Heritage", which caused strong dissatisfaction with Kyrgyzstan. China stated that the nomination is because it represents the Kyrgyz minority living in China. This reason is ridiculous, as if Koreans nominated the Dragon Boat Festival because it represents the minority of Chinese in Korea. Because such a false name triggers diplomatic disputes, one can't help but worry about the outcome of China in this big game.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

It may be difficult for me not to love this book because I am currently on assignment in Kyrgyzstan. I admit it. However, the story telling by the journalist/author is first rate. This is not a story but a history that truly reads like a novel.

Within its pages you'll find dictators, crime bosses, and citizens rising up. Those citizens are jailed, tortured, and occasionally escape from Central Asia. One of the last stories was about a woman jailed for reselling teapots. Teapots? Why would this pull a 7 year jail sentence?

I recognize some of the names, like Edil Baisalov and Roza Attunbayeva (sp?), guests of my Ambassador. Odd. I came here not being able to recognize or speak the names, but gradually the names in their central asian and russian dialect have stuck with me. The names could cause you to stumble, but the stories remain.

I have only one other book I would recommend higher than this one. I wish this was written before I moved to Bishkek.

[Ansgar · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is truly an amazing book. Well written, well researched and incredibly interesting!

[Gabby M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve been thinking about whether I would have liked this book more on audio (it's not actually available on audio, just hypothetically) or if it would have been entirely too confusing and I can’t really decide. It’s written by a journalist who spent time in central Asia (particularly focused on the titular Ferghana Valley, which includes territory inside both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan) and recounts loosely connected stories from his experiences there. I’m usually interested in stories about the former USSR, and there is a lot of stuff here that is attention-grabbing conceptually: murders! corruption! dictators! The way this was organized, though, did not at all work for me. Single stories were broken up in ways that felt jarring and made it hard to remember details that seemed like they should have been important. This is absolutely a symptom of Western privilege, but the names are unfamiliar and so keeping track of the players was a challenge. Some of the financial crimes that went along with the corruption are recounted in levels of detail that at least for me, rendered them obtuse and difficult to follow. It’s not like I got nothing out of the book, but it felt like it was actively fighting against my efforts to get drawn into it so it ended up feeling like a slog.

[Shannon Ellsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than Afghanistan and Pakistan, "The Stans" have always been an area of the world greatly under represented in mainstream American literature. We know "the stans" are there. We know they used to be Russian. That's about it. This book made me connect with this area of the world on a personal level. The author has clearly traveled there and his writing describes things in a way that engage you rather than spit out boring historical facts. I think this book should be added to all world history classes.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Restless Valley is a highly readable history of modern-day Kyrgyzstan, told in a series of vignettes about its political leaders and human rights defenders. There are also two chapters about Uzbekistan, featuring the Andijan incident and its human rights record under previous president Islam Karimov. Shishkin writes well and his own presence in the story makes the events more personal and relatable. For his next book I’d love to see the same treatment of all the Central Asian countries!

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A journalistic history on recent events in Central Asia, and particularly Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. This book is a must for anyone moving to the area, or interested in the background as to why this area functions the way it does.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philip Shishkin provides an excellent analysis of the political upheaval in Central Asia during the 2000s with a focus on Kyrgyzstan and it's struggle to establish democratic legitimacy. The narrative also covers other neighbouring countries in particular Uzbekistan which has experienced significant political repression since the fall of the USSR. Shishkin does an effective job of introducing a diverse cast of Kyrgyz including politicians, journalists, police officers and average citizens. While some of the names got a little confusing I found most of these individuals to be highly interesting with different motivations and opinions. Revolution does not always lead to a better and more improved form of government with corruption being an almost cancer like plague. An insightful entry point into the region, it's history and the plight of Kyrgyzstan.

[Megan Stupi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fast paced introduction to the complex politics in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. It was written in a journalistic, easy to follow manner. It lost one star for me because sometimes the events were hard to follow due to the writing style and the occasional typo was slightly distracting. Overall a necessary book to read.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable and exciting, Shishkin tells a meandering, somewhat personal narrative of Central Asia in the first decade of the 21st century. More of a memoir than anything else, it’s a fascinating picture into a region often ignored and forgotten by the rest of the world. Was fascinating reading this after having visiting Uzbekistan in 2023.

[Marilyn Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to find out more about the history of Uzbekistan and the book gave me much more. I'm not sure why I used to believe that the world was a simple place. Bribery, corruption in high places and a general disregard for human rights and a country's well being seem a given in this part of the word. But, I don't think that ir is unique.

[Caroline Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who spent 10 months in the Fergana Valley, I often recommend this book to my friends and family as the best way to understand that region of the world. I enjoy how he explains the 2000s in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. He seems to enjoy the region and understand how it works. If you want an engaging introduction to Central Asia, I highly recommend.

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

it’s weird to read this book while living in the place it went down. like they’re talking about a bridge where a murder happened that started an ethnic war and I walked over that bridge to go to lunch yesterday

[Gigi Neuenfeldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Provides little known insight into Central Asian politics via lively stories that would draw any reader in.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engagingly narrated and well-researched account of a very interesting part of the world that doesn't receive a lot of attention in the States.

[Arthur_de · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reads like a good fiction, however is much more interesting and exciting as the book is obviously nonfiction.

[Angus Lauder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping personal stories and overall coverage of revolutions and dictatorships in a normally overlooked region

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and valuable book. Exactly the sort of in-depth, on-the-ground, and highly readable account of 21st century Kyrgyzstan (and bonus Uzbekistan) I've been looking for.

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slightly bombastic look at Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, from 2005 to 2013.

[Giulio Porelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read!

extremely well written and captivating. excellent primer on a topic few other sources cover

[Matt Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent insight to an often forgotten part of the world.

[Catherine Fitzpatrick]

Can't wait to read this book:

http://yalepress.yale.edu/book.asp?is...

I have read many of Philip Shishkin's articles on Central Asia and he's had some of the best stuff.

Example of a great tweet of his:

https://twitter.com/philip_shishkin/s...
if u commit mass murder, your thoughts on education become irrelevant @globaltimesnews oped on #Mao U.S. debate http://bit.ly/Ypt04y

Re: Global Times
Mao furor shows truth of US free speech
"The US, which prides itself in freedom of speech, can’t even tolerate a quote from Mao."

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subtitled, "Revolution, Murder, and Intrigue in the Heart of Central Asia." Set mostly in Kyrgyzstan, but also slipping over the borders into the other adjacent "-stans," this tome outlines the nature of our friends-of-convenience whom we needed to prosecute our now-declared successful ten-year war on Afghanistan. With our willingness to engage with friends like these, I fear for our cultural soul.

[Beau Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the more fascinating books I've read in the past decade. Shishkin's book, as others have pointed out, reads almost like a novel as it portrays the fascinating world of Central Asia. Highly recommended for folks who want to read an engaging account of a part of the world that many Westerners would consider culturally remote, mysterious, and intriguing.

[Caroline Lupini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book for the most part though I did have a somewhat hard time following some of the names and timeline. The book seemed to jump around quite a bit. Granted, my knowledge about the events covered in the book was very limited before I started reading.

[Brad H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. A little repetitive in places.