What do you think?
Rate this book
Murder in Samarkand: A British Ambassador's Controversial Defiance of Tyranny in the War on Terror
When Craig Murray arrived in Uzbekistan to take up his post in 2002, he was a young ambassador with a brilliant career and a taste for whisky and women. But after hearing accounts of dissident prisoners being boiled to death and innocent people being raped and murdered by agents of the state, he started to question both his role and that of his country in so-called 'democratising' states.
Following his discovery that the British government was accepting information obtained under torture, Murray could no longer maintain a diplomatic silence. When he voiced his outrage, Washington and 10 Downing Street decided he had to go. But Uzbekistan had changed the high-living diplomat and there was no way he was going to go quietly. In this candid and at times shocking memoir, Murray lays bare the dark and dirty underside of the War on Terror.
Following his discovery that the British government was accepting information obtained under torture, Murray could no longer maintain a diplomatic silence. When he voiced his outrage, Washington and 10 Downing Street decided he had to go. But Uzbekistan had changed the high-living diplomat and there was no way he was going to go quietly. In this candid and at times shocking memoir, Murray lays bare the dark and dirty underside of the War on Terror.
432 pages, Paperback
First published March 6, 2006
28 people are currently reading
625 people want to read
About the author
Craig Murray
26 books39 followersCraig John Murray is a British political activist, former ambassador to Uzbekistan and former Rector of the University of Dundee.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 29, 2007
I was tempted not to finish this - like most people who go to the trouble to pick this book up, I already knew about Craig Murray and how the story ends. I have to admit that the very compelling sub-plot that kept me reading is that Murray is a fallen hero. He is an incredibly horrible and quite unapologetic lecher towards women of all ages. He sexually harasses all women who work for him. However, the fact that he is the one telling you all of this, gives the reader a perspective that I had never considered before. It also provokes really interesting questions about the moral weight of fighting torture and human rights abuses on a large scale versus hurting the people around you in your personal life. So worth reading I think, also for anyone interested in Central Asia and Uzbekistan in particular.
February 9, 2014
This should be compulsory reading for anyone who imagines that our Western democracies conduct all business in a principled way. Bush declared his 'War on Terror' and Blair signed up to it with all its absurdities. As Uzbekistan was an ally and a convenient place from which to launch attacks on Afghanistan, the Uzbek Government could do no wrong. But the new British ambassador, Craig Murray, refused to shut his eyes to the torture and corruption that ran through the whole country. He spoke out, loudly and repeatedly. In the eyes of the Foreign Office and 10 Downing Street he went from rising star to enfant terrible, a man with a brilliant future behind him. The dirty tricks they used to try to get rid of him were atrocious. Ironically, he was a most effective ambassador.
This is a book I will remember for a long time but I have to add that I lost sympathy for Murray due to the callous way he discarded his wife, who had supported him loyally through his difficulties.
This is a book I will remember for a long time but I have to add that I lost sympathy for Murray due to the callous way he discarded his wife, who had supported him loyally through his difficulties.
May 24, 2011
My thoughts on this book by Craig Murray are rather complex and mean that I struggle to know what to write here.
On one hand, Murray comes across as a vain, self-satisfied, pot-stirring and, at times, dishonest man. Reading his account of his time as British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, there were times where I almost put the book down for good, fed up with reading some of Murray's slightly smug accounts of derring-do.
On the other hand, Murray is honest enough to write this warts and all book, which at times certainly does cast him in a bad light. Nobody is perfect, and his willingness to expose his own faults is admirable, especially when it comes to his private life. Even more so, his version of events in the lead up to war in Iraq, the picture that is painted of Britain and the United States' approach to foreign policy, and the concerted efforts by the Blair government to get rid of a man who was not prepared to toe the party line, make this a fascinating and enjoyable read.
It's interesting to ponder whether an Ambassador should simply represent the policies of the government of the time, to further the interests of Britain abroad, or if they should use their position and influence to highlight and publicise elements of a foreign country's domestic policies that are contrary to the fundamental principles of democracy and human rights that Western governments purport to stand for. I would tend to lean to the former, but if, as in Murray's case, the government of the time refuses to listen to the man on the ground, then it does seem that the only honourable and positive stance is to push harder, rather than kowtow to pressure from government to keep quiet.
It's not as if more evidence was needed to show that the Blair-Bush axis was morally corrupt and fixed analysis to justify their invasion of Iraq, but it is sad to be presented with yet more proof that they abandoned most of the principles that Great Britain and the United States are supposed to stand for.
On one hand, Murray comes across as a vain, self-satisfied, pot-stirring and, at times, dishonest man. Reading his account of his time as British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, there were times where I almost put the book down for good, fed up with reading some of Murray's slightly smug accounts of derring-do.
On the other hand, Murray is honest enough to write this warts and all book, which at times certainly does cast him in a bad light. Nobody is perfect, and his willingness to expose his own faults is admirable, especially when it comes to his private life. Even more so, his version of events in the lead up to war in Iraq, the picture that is painted of Britain and the United States' approach to foreign policy, and the concerted efforts by the Blair government to get rid of a man who was not prepared to toe the party line, make this a fascinating and enjoyable read.
It's interesting to ponder whether an Ambassador should simply represent the policies of the government of the time, to further the interests of Britain abroad, or if they should use their position and influence to highlight and publicise elements of a foreign country's domestic policies that are contrary to the fundamental principles of democracy and human rights that Western governments purport to stand for. I would tend to lean to the former, but if, as in Murray's case, the government of the time refuses to listen to the man on the ground, then it does seem that the only honourable and positive stance is to push harder, rather than kowtow to pressure from government to keep quiet.
It's not as if more evidence was needed to show that the Blair-Bush axis was morally corrupt and fixed analysis to justify their invasion of Iraq, but it is sad to be presented with yet more proof that they abandoned most of the principles that Great Britain and the United States are supposed to stand for.
March 6, 2014
BBC BLURB: Craig is proud to be sent as Ambassador to Uzbekistan, eager to work hard and also eager for fun. The combination takes him on a dangerous course both professionally and personally, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
Craig Murray ...... David Tennant
Bax/Safayev ...... Jonathan Coy
Dill/French Ambassador ...... Richard Cordery
Foreign Secretary/Uzbek Judge ...... Simon Chandler
Prosecutor/Fazilov ...... Ian Gelder
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qs5x7
From wiki: A minor controversy involved the choice of photographs on the 2007 paperback edition, two of the three photos having been the same as those previously appearing in the 2004 Lonely Planet guide to Central Asia by Bradley Mayhew, Paul Clammer and Michael Kohn. Neither shows Samarkand. The rear cover of Murder in Samarkand uses the same photo of Bukhara that was the guide book's cover photo. Murray's front cover uses a sunset scene that had appeared on page 7 of the guide (and shows Khiva). There were no copyright issues in this case as both photos were licensed through Getty Images. Murray has stated he did not choose the cover and does not like its "masculine" appearance.
Craig Murray ...... David Tennant
Bax/Safayev ...... Jonathan Coy
Dill/French Ambassador ...... Richard Cordery
Foreign Secretary/Uzbek Judge ...... Simon Chandler
Prosecutor/Fazilov ...... Ian Gelder
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qs5x7
From wiki: A minor controversy involved the choice of photographs on the 2007 paperback edition, two of the three photos having been the same as those previously appearing in the 2004 Lonely Planet guide to Central Asia by Bradley Mayhew, Paul Clammer and Michael Kohn. Neither shows Samarkand. The rear cover of Murder in Samarkand uses the same photo of Bukhara that was the guide book's cover photo. Murray's front cover uses a sunset scene that had appeared on page 7 of the guide (and shows Khiva). There were no copyright issues in this case as both photos were licensed through Getty Images. Murray has stated he did not choose the cover and does not like its "masculine" appearance.
April 8, 2012
Since I currently live in Uzbekistan, I found this book to be quite eye-opening. Although I am aware of much that goes on, it was still shocking. Perhaps what was even more shocking though, was how far the British government went out of the way to keep Craig Murray quiet. The big drawback to this book, however, was Murray's love affair with Nadira. It was hard to take him seriously when he discusses in all seriousness that he thinks he will finally find emotional fulfillment with a 19 year old. Not to mention that he seems to find his wife unreasonable for being unwilling to put up with this. It makes him lose credibility and takes away from an otherwise very interesting book.
October 25, 2014
Jaw dropping insight into the moral turpitude of Blair, Bush, Jack Straw, New Labour and their friendly tyrants in high places (Uzbekistan). No other government had been shameless enough to proclaim an "ethical foreign policy"- perhaps they should be applauded for bringing black humour into the traditionally mirthless arena of government communications.
The story focuses on the attempts by Jack Straw and the Foreign Office to support the murderous, corrupt, centralizing dictator, Karimov, and silence the British ambassador, Craig Murray, who was campaigning for Human Rights, British business and democracy. When Murray discovered that Karimov's political opponents had been boiled alive, he tirelessly investigated while the luke warm Foreign Office suggested he praise Karimov for his moves towards democracy instead. The conflict increased because MI6, Straw and the Foreign Office wanted intelligence obtained under torture whilst Murray was pointing out that Karimov was making it up and creating an Islamist Bogeyman threat to get Western support. He also pretended to believe New Labour's public pronouncements against torture as a means of exposing Karimov's routine use of torture.
The Foreign Office, Blair and Straw couldn't countenance a man with an interest in human rights in a position of power. They tried to smear him from office with lies about alcoholism, mismanagement and using prostitutes and Murray was exonerated as British businesses and embassy staff lobbied hard, describing Murray as the most effective ambassador they had ever had. Ultimately, the Foreign Office encouraged him to talk to the press, then sacked him for having done so.
Murray's account reads like a Graham Greene novel with a flawed hero. He is open about his relationship with Nadira a postgraduate, nightclub dancer and his poor treatment of his (ex)wife. Murray is now a penniless campaigner and after dinner speaker living in London with a very pretty post-graduate.
The story focuses on the attempts by Jack Straw and the Foreign Office to support the murderous, corrupt, centralizing dictator, Karimov, and silence the British ambassador, Craig Murray, who was campaigning for Human Rights, British business and democracy. When Murray discovered that Karimov's political opponents had been boiled alive, he tirelessly investigated while the luke warm Foreign Office suggested he praise Karimov for his moves towards democracy instead. The conflict increased because MI6, Straw and the Foreign Office wanted intelligence obtained under torture whilst Murray was pointing out that Karimov was making it up and creating an Islamist Bogeyman threat to get Western support. He also pretended to believe New Labour's public pronouncements against torture as a means of exposing Karimov's routine use of torture.
The Foreign Office, Blair and Straw couldn't countenance a man with an interest in human rights in a position of power. They tried to smear him from office with lies about alcoholism, mismanagement and using prostitutes and Murray was exonerated as British businesses and embassy staff lobbied hard, describing Murray as the most effective ambassador they had ever had. Ultimately, the Foreign Office encouraged him to talk to the press, then sacked him for having done so.
Murray's account reads like a Graham Greene novel with a flawed hero. He is open about his relationship with Nadira a postgraduate, nightclub dancer and his poor treatment of his (ex)wife. Murray is now a penniless campaigner and after dinner speaker living in London with a very pretty post-graduate.
Read
July 13, 2012This book buoyed my hope, accentuated my despair, made me laugh, and made me cry. And it's a well-written page-turner. Near the end, Murray writes less about mind-boggling experiences in Uzbekistan and more about his battle with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This rounds it out to give a picture of the ugly intersection between what he saw in Uzbekistan and what he saw in British policy.
I'd be surprised if Uzbeks call him anything other than "hero."
An excerpt I liked:
pg 177
"But you did, like it or not." Simon was lighting a cigarette from the previous one. "The Prime Minister has made it plain that we stand shoulder to shoulder with the US in the War on Terror. We are embarking on a war, and London has better things to do than to read over-emotional telegrams from you."
Now I was getting angry, and my voice grew steadier and more deliberate. "I am sorry if I get emotional about people being boiled to death, or children being raped in front of their parents," I said. "I don't know how else to react. If you don't get emotional about it, I feel sorry for you."
I'd be surprised if Uzbeks call him anything other than "hero."
An excerpt I liked:
pg 177
"But you did, like it or not." Simon was lighting a cigarette from the previous one. "The Prime Minister has made it plain that we stand shoulder to shoulder with the US in the War on Terror. We are embarking on a war, and London has better things to do than to read over-emotional telegrams from you."
Now I was getting angry, and my voice grew steadier and more deliberate. "I am sorry if I get emotional about people being boiled to death, or children being raped in front of their parents," I said. "I don't know how else to react. If you don't get emotional about it, I feel sorry for you."
March 14, 2008
Murray is a arrogant self-important hypocritical blowhard. It's hard to get a sense of what human rights he defended between his courtship of a stripper and whining over government bureaucracy. Furthermore, he rails against those who have no sense of Uzbek history when he himself has no more than a superficial understanding himself.
Avoid at all costs.
Avoid at all costs.
September 1, 2008
Essential reading for anyone who cares what western governments are up to in the "War on Terror" - a deeply sobering as well as highly entertaining book.
June 23, 2024
My copy of this book had an insert with photos. These photos are, in order: enslaved Uzbek children picking cotton, Uzbekistan's brutal dictator, Islam Karimov, shaking hands with George Bush, details of Samarkand's Registan, several meetings, another photo of Karimov, the author's 19 year old Uzbek mistress "vamping it up in the residence", and Uzbek forces massacring protesters in Andijan.
I think that pretty much sums up the insane whiplash experience of reading it.
For about 50% of this book, Craig Murray launches and brave and impassioned effort on behalf of human rights in Uzbekistan. He conducts investigations, loudly and publicly contradicts the American position, and draws attention to how the War on Terror provided cover for Karimov's anti-dissident campaign of horrific torture and murder. This part is a vital and urgent look into the deep moral failures American and British policy, a horrifying chapter in Uzbekistan's history, and the corruption underlying it all. Having personally spent some time in Uzbekistan, including at the creepily propagandist Islam Karimov museum, it felt important to get some of that context.
However, Murray spends the other half of the book describing various "very pretty girls" he encounters, including their "perfect bums" and "purple knickers." He eventually begins an affair with a 19 year old Uzbek girl that he meets at a belly-dancing club (while noting that strip clubs in Tashkent were pretty tame, and he did not see even A Single Nipple in his many trips there). They are now married, so maybe that worked out, but he treats his wife's (he is married with 2 kids) anger at this as unreasonable, and I do question his choices of details to publish. He writes explicitly about his now-wife's rapes at the hands of Uzbek police, and his feeling that he blamed her for entering the car. He gets pretty detailed about her sexual history, his sexual history, etc etc, and it just feels...gross. I feel bad for his kids, you know? There's a whole thing about how he hired his secretary because she was such a hot blonde. It's creepy! It's weird! It doesn't really help his cause!
He also gives his opinion of every alcoholic beverage he drank during this whole period, but that was actually pretty entertaining. It was a fascinating journey and brings to light something really important but also...gross, weird, creepy, etc. I also would have liked to know more about the conflicts between his local and British staff. It was mentioned several times, but it was never clear what it consisted of, what the source was, or what he did about it. Strange for a book that is otherwise maybe too transparent.
5 stars for the human rights/interesting things about Uzbekistan half, 2 stars for the rest
I think that pretty much sums up the insane whiplash experience of reading it.
For about 50% of this book, Craig Murray launches and brave and impassioned effort on behalf of human rights in Uzbekistan. He conducts investigations, loudly and publicly contradicts the American position, and draws attention to how the War on Terror provided cover for Karimov's anti-dissident campaign of horrific torture and murder. This part is a vital and urgent look into the deep moral failures American and British policy, a horrifying chapter in Uzbekistan's history, and the corruption underlying it all. Having personally spent some time in Uzbekistan, including at the creepily propagandist Islam Karimov museum, it felt important to get some of that context.
However, Murray spends the other half of the book describing various "very pretty girls" he encounters, including their "perfect bums" and "purple knickers." He eventually begins an affair with a 19 year old Uzbek girl that he meets at a belly-dancing club (while noting that strip clubs in Tashkent were pretty tame, and he did not see even A Single Nipple in his many trips there). They are now married, so maybe that worked out, but he treats his wife's (he is married with 2 kids) anger at this as unreasonable, and I do question his choices of details to publish. He writes explicitly about his now-wife's rapes at the hands of Uzbek police, and his feeling that he blamed her for entering the car. He gets pretty detailed about her sexual history, his sexual history, etc etc, and it just feels...gross. I feel bad for his kids, you know? There's a whole thing about how he hired his secretary because she was such a hot blonde. It's creepy! It's weird! It doesn't really help his cause!
He also gives his opinion of every alcoholic beverage he drank during this whole period, but that was actually pretty entertaining. It was a fascinating journey and brings to light something really important but also...gross, weird, creepy, etc. I also would have liked to know more about the conflicts between his local and British staff. It was mentioned several times, but it was never clear what it consisted of, what the source was, or what he did about it. Strange for a book that is otherwise maybe too transparent.
5 stars for the human rights/interesting things about Uzbekistan half, 2 stars for the rest
August 3, 2020
As a little boy, I flew to south Asia via Aeroflot and spent 9-12 hours in Tashkent , Uzbekistan. Very vague memories but which have always made me want to visit the city one day - then I came accross this book which I eagerly devoured. This is a great account of Uzbekistan human rights and British politics. In his book, the author also makes claims against the UK government on trying to silence him physically which I find rather intriguing. The subsequent media allegations to discredit him, in my view, has to be taken with a pinch of salt as he was up against the hostile machinery of the UK government, his employer. I personally don't think he is mad - he was sane enough to have been selected as the UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan, lost his job for speaking out, but was again sane enough to become a rector at the University of Dundee for a while. Is everything in the book true, who knows? But for me, it was a fascinating read.
I think this book will appeal to anyone interested in Uzbekistan as a place of travel perhaps, to anyone interested in British dark arts etc. I must add, since reading the book a few years ago, I have watched a couple of food vlogging videos covering Uzbekistan - Mark Wiens (check him out on YouTube if interested. -Uzbekistan is definitely a place I would like to visit. I am not a politician, just a people loving tourist :)
I think this book will appeal to anyone interested in Uzbekistan as a place of travel perhaps, to anyone interested in British dark arts etc. I must add, since reading the book a few years ago, I have watched a couple of food vlogging videos covering Uzbekistan - Mark Wiens (check him out on YouTube if interested. -Uzbekistan is definitely a place I would like to visit. I am not a politician, just a people loving tourist :)
January 30, 2022
I’m not sure where to begin with this book. If I were to judge it solely based on the intrigue, scandals, and shock value, it would earn a 5/5: the colorful, at times unbelievable memoir of the former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan and his fall from grace. I’m torn between (a) admiration for Murray’s commitment to standing up to the Uzbek government’s human rights abuses and (b) extreme discomfort with his unprofessionalism and less-than-laudable behavior during off-work hours. I found myself sympathizing with him in his quest to bring justice to torture victims and fight the establishment figures who were determined to silence him. But I also question whether his methods were appropriate for a diplomat (they were not). I appreciate his candidness, but I am left wondering how reliable he is as a narrator. All that said, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book—even if I spent half the time cringing.
July 15, 2013
From BBC Radio 4 - Saturday Drama:
Britain's new young Ambassador to Uzbekistan is shocked over government torture tactics.
Britain's new young Ambassador to Uzbekistan is shocked over government torture tactics.
December 24, 2013
I think his work to expose the hypocrisy of the War on Terror is commendable but he's such a shitbag as a person, it can be hard at times to feel any sympathy for what he went through.
October 10, 2024
Un témoignage vraiment très précieux à mon avis ; et dont la lecture devrait être obligatoire pour toute personne travaillant ou voulant travailler dans le domaine de la diplomatie... Ce mémoire permet bien de se rendre compte des dérives des États occidentaux qui pensent à leurs intérêts personnels au dépens de la défense des droits humains ; finalement encore très parlant dans le monde actuel.
C'est riche d'informations, de petites histoires, et c'est très bien écrit ! Donc possible de le lire en faisant des pauses entre les chapitres, un peu comme des nouvelles.
J'enlève juste une étoile car l'auteur est un pervers orientaliste :-)
C'est riche d'informations, de petites histoires, et c'est très bien écrit ! Donc possible de le lire en faisant des pauses entre les chapitres, un peu comme des nouvelles.
J'enlève juste une étoile car l'auteur est un pervers orientaliste :-)
November 27, 2020
I'm torn on this one. I think the story he is telling is worth telling. The compromises the world's leading democracies made in working with the Karimov regime are severe and it is good that someone is telling that story. But the ambassador's personal life is so messy and, frankly, icky, that it got in the way of that story.
I'd like to read this story told by someone else who doesn't talk about his "lingering kiss" with a woman half his age whom he told upon first meeting he could not marry (he's already married) but he could "keep." To his credit, he's not painting a false picture of himself. And at one point he starts to consider if the money and power imbalance might have had some impact on his romantic success while globetrotting. But that's quickly bypassed as we hear about how in love he is with his new girlfriend. We also rarely meet a woman character without hearing if, and in what way, he finds her attractive.
He doesn't ever seem to consider how his behavior impacts his marriage, children, or work. I can't speak for his (now ex-) wife or children, but if his work consists of telling a story about human rights abuses in Uzbekistan, than this reader judges that there has been an adverse impact.
I'd like to read this story told by someone else who doesn't talk about his "lingering kiss" with a woman half his age whom he told upon first meeting he could not marry (he's already married) but he could "keep." To his credit, he's not painting a false picture of himself. And at one point he starts to consider if the money and power imbalance might have had some impact on his romantic success while globetrotting. But that's quickly bypassed as we hear about how in love he is with his new girlfriend. We also rarely meet a woman character without hearing if, and in what way, he finds her attractive.
He doesn't ever seem to consider how his behavior impacts his marriage, children, or work. I can't speak for his (now ex-) wife or children, but if his work consists of telling a story about human rights abuses in Uzbekistan, than this reader judges that there has been an adverse impact.
April 30, 2021
A very interesting look at how international diplomacy works when bigger matters i.e., the war on terror, are at stake. Craig Murray, the author, worked as the British ambassador to Uzbekistan. He is very aware of the human rights violations that are going on there, but not very self aware when it comes to his relationships with women. The book would probably be better without the latter, but it’s a much fuller picture of the man himself.
His picture of local politics is frightful and grim, and how Britain and the US we’re happy to overlook those politics to have an air base is quite damning.
His picture of local politics is frightful and grim, and how Britain and the US we’re happy to overlook those politics to have an air base is quite damning.
July 21, 2018
Riveting insight
An extremely interesting insight into the life of an extraordinary stubborn diplomat who wouldn't give up on his principles. This may seem commendable but Craig is in effect a victim of his own intransigence and perhaps stupidity and I am sure he would be the first to admit to that. Great read.
One point that I really can't accept however is the conviction which Craig accepts unquestioningly about the apparent lack of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. Just because they didn't find them doesn't mean they weren't there. Perhaps Craig should have checked out what happened when Saddam Hussein gassed the Kurds mercilessly before becoming so convinced that such weapons weren't there. I also find his utterings about Israel totally unacceptable but that's another story in another book.
This book is very well written and very informative about Uzbekistan.
Well done, Craig.
An extremely interesting insight into the life of an extraordinary stubborn diplomat who wouldn't give up on his principles. This may seem commendable but Craig is in effect a victim of his own intransigence and perhaps stupidity and I am sure he would be the first to admit to that. Great read.
One point that I really can't accept however is the conviction which Craig accepts unquestioningly about the apparent lack of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. Just because they didn't find them doesn't mean they weren't there. Perhaps Craig should have checked out what happened when Saddam Hussein gassed the Kurds mercilessly before becoming so convinced that such weapons weren't there. I also find his utterings about Israel totally unacceptable but that's another story in another book.
This book is very well written and very informative about Uzbekistan.
Well done, Craig.
Currently reading
March 15, 2020Of course it pictures the moral corruption of the west and Craig today (03/20) is probably the main voice together with John Pilger denouncing the sham trial of Assange.
Other reviews do already a good job depicting what the book is about but some reviews surprised me about their criticism of the very candid position Craig takes on his own moral shortcomings with women, while forgetting the risk he put himself into challenging Uzbek authorities and his own FCO guidelines by denouncing torture in the country (the attitude of the American ambassador is a great insight into the mechanics of DoS doublespeak on its war on terror).
A great book, great insight into Int Relations and FCO inner workings.
Other reviews do already a good job depicting what the book is about but some reviews surprised me about their criticism of the very candid position Craig takes on his own moral shortcomings with women, while forgetting the risk he put himself into challenging Uzbek authorities and his own FCO guidelines by denouncing torture in the country (the attitude of the American ambassador is a great insight into the mechanics of DoS doublespeak on its war on terror).
A great book, great insight into Int Relations and FCO inner workings.
July 11, 2023
I happened upon this book at a hotel library and quickly seized it. The author is a talented storyteller; writing autobiographically, he nonetheless follows a clear and self-deprecating line in relating events. What is truly horrific in this book are the stories of human rights abuse in Uzbekistan under the former despotic ruler and his system, with a hint that these may not have changed much at all since his demise. Then there are the political machinations employed UK and US forces in Central Asia which quickly remind the reader of events leading up to the 'mistaken' Iraq invasion.
The author frames his story with personal aspects lending what could be dry material a warmer human touch.
Mark di Frangia, author of The Naked Butler
The author frames his story with personal aspects lending what could be dry material a warmer human touch.
Mark di Frangia, author of The Naked Butler
June 23, 2025
Hard one. Interesting memoir, but it's hard to escape the feeling that there is another side to this story even if the author is quite open about his own shortcomings. I found the his general attitude towards women hard to stomach (which the author does not really seem to acknowledge), but perhaps that is partially explained by it being 20+ years ago by now and shifting societal views on that. It also comes out as rather vain, and with a general sense of self-importance. At the same time, the issues at stake (principled foreign policy vs realpolitik, roles of diplomats vs politicians, torture etc) are interesting to see from his point of view.
February 25, 2018
This is a fascinating, compelling book by the (briefly) British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, 2002-2004. His tenure was brief due to his impassioned defense of Uzbek citizens who were harassed, tortured, murdered by the government. Murray details how the President and his people took corruption to a level this career diplomat had trouble believing. Murray lost his posting due to his insistence on speaking truth to power. That he also loves women, drinking, having a good time is a part of the story that he chooses to share. Somewhat odd (or probably not) part of his tale.
July 1, 2017
An interesting account from the perspective of the author regarding the British Foreign Office at the time of the commencement of The War on Terror and his appointment as an ambassador to a former communist block country.
I am not convinced however that the details regarding his personal life seek to protect his opinions and character for purposes beyond seeking to add a layer of attempted humanising protection.
I am not convinced however that the details regarding his personal life seek to protect his opinions and character for purposes beyond seeking to add a layer of attempted humanising protection.
December 6, 2017
Very personable and well told, warts and all. I was living in Tajikistan during this time period and found myself in Uzbekistan quite frequently. So, this book has personal significance- I know some of the people in it even, and remember the events alluded to - like the bombings in Tashkent. Glad I read it.
February 8, 2018
The truth behind the propaganda
This was a book I could not put down. By no means perfect, like the rest of us, the author does seem really committed to human rights. Uzbekistan at the time seems like a terrible place to live for the majority. Glad it seems to be opening up however slightly now.
This was a book I could not put down. By no means perfect, like the rest of us, the author does seem really committed to human rights. Uzbekistan at the time seems like a terrible place to live for the majority. Glad it seems to be opening up however slightly now.
October 13, 2022
Severe human rights violations were brought to attention by Craig Murray – who merely possessed a small amount of human decency. He was chased out and silenced with rabid aggression by the UK and the US, justified by the "War on Terror."
Western governments provide good lives for their citizens, but not for the citizens of their allies.
We are just only until we are threatened.
Western governments provide good lives for their citizens, but not for the citizens of their allies.
We are just only until we are threatened.
October 3, 2023
While I admire Craig Murray's courage in speaking out against the horrible human rights abuses that were happening in Uzbekistan when he was the British ambassador, I found his descriptions and treatment of women offensive. This book could use a good editor because there was no explanation or context for a lot of his stories and many of them read as if he was telling his side of the story or responding to what was written in the press (which the reader might not have read or have any idea about). The final straw was the entire chapter of letters from various businesses vouching for him when the British government was trying to push him out of his job. And if you're going to call your book Murder in Samarkand, it should be pretty darn clear what the murder was. I finished the book and thought I had missed something. It's not a murder mystery, despite the dramatic cover and quotes, it's the story of an ambassador trying to stand up to an autocratic abusive regime. And cheating on his wife. I'm glad that I read it but I would only recommend it to people coming to Uzbekistan to get a sense of the history because unfortunately not much has changed.
June 11, 2025
Felt honest and reflective of Craig’s experience working as the ambassador to Uzbekistan showing both his personal faults and political integrity.
Sheds light onto the darker aspects of the war on terror and the new Labour Party relationship with the US during this time.
Provides a good counter view to what those in no10 at the time still say about their foreign policy.
Sheds light onto the darker aspects of the war on terror and the new Labour Party relationship with the US during this time.
Provides a good counter view to what those in no10 at the time still say about their foreign policy.
October 25, 2021
Absolutely fascinating account of the British Ambassador to Uzbekistan in the early 2000s !! Really eye opening into how the New Labour govt and Bush dealt with events surrounding the ‘War on Terror’ and torture.
Honestly could not recommend enough !
Honestly could not recommend enough !
January 24, 2022
Read in the run up to a planned trip to Uzbekistan (covid cancelled that!) and it was interesting to learn about the country through the eyes of a British diplomat. However, the author comes across a quite an unlikable character & dare I say sex pest?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews