Pride of Small Nations: The Caucasus and Post-Soviet Disorder

by Suzanne Goldenberg

Book by Goldenberg, Suzanne

233 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1994

Reviews

[Diana Ishaqat · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm disappointed with this read, it's full of superficial, unjust Soviet era-inspired framing of the North of the region and the history of its people.

For instance, the author denies the Circassian struggle (perhaps the longest resistance in the region, documented by historians from various parts of the world), and claims the natives left at the beginning of the war, arguing that they already "surrendered" two centuries earlier (two centuries before the Tsarist invasion of the Caucasus even started), when Tsar Ivan I married a Circassian noblewomen, Maria Temryukovna (I wonder, were they able to see the future?).

Moreover, the author addresses Kabardians, Cherkess, and Adygs as three different but "related" groups (a narrative most likely derived from the Stalinist system-Truman Institute, 1999) in a clear lack of understanding of not only the timeline of the war in the North, but also the nation itself.

In general, the massacres the Circassians were subjected to during the deportations were commonly concealed in Russian literature, and so was their resistance, because such a narrative could help realize the legitimate demands of Circassian nations, which include land rights and Genocide recognition (Lapin, 2003).

I'm giving this a star as a reader, just because the book might be useful for those who are looking for an introduction into the establishment of modern Georgia and Armenia.

[Garen Gregorian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to some basic modern history of the region, though quite dated by now. Many inaccuracies that are obvious today, but 1994 was a different one environment in terms of information. I am also suspicious of the narrative symmetries of the chapters on southern caucasus nations.

One leaves with the impression that in all nations, unreasonable nationalism and the unfortunate inability of moderates to control nationalist fervor of all nations is equally to blame for the instability. History is more messy than that.

[Mako · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good research and factually rich but poor analysis at times. Really fails to emphasize the meddling of Russia in this region’s internal affairs and how it was the main instigator of ethnic conflicts. The author rather pushed the blame on the ethnic groups.

Factually very informative but I’d recommend other literature for a more accurate analysis.