The New Great Game: Blood and Oil in Central Asia

Author: Lutz Kleveman
List Price: $24.00
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ISBN: 0871139065
Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press (September, 2003)
Sales Rank: 3,420
Average Customer Rating: 4.4 out of 5

Customer Reviews

Rating: 5 out of 5
Fascinating read! Eye-opener!
This is one of the most brilliant books I have read in years!
Ever feel that the Bush administration's is hijacking the War on Terror to pursue U.S. oil interests in Iraq and Central Asia? Well, the journalist Lutz Kleveman traveled to the frontlines and oil fields to find out. What he discovered on his fascinating journeys from the Caucasus all the way down to Afghanistan is eye-opening..
And what an adventure tale this book is, too! The author beautifully weaves his bold political analysis into gripping travel writing. His encounters with the power players in the region, be they Russian oil bosses or Afghan warlords, make for a great read. I enjoyed every page of it!

Rating: 4 out of 5
A reporter's view of an old geopolitical game
Anyone who is familiar with their history and of the "Great Game" played out in Central Asia between Russia and Great Britain will take heart that the game is back in play, albeit with a new cast of players. Today the precious commodity is oil, and in light of the demise of the former Soviet Union, a whole new cast of characters are activily engaged in competing for influence and the associated riches that will come with control of the oil resources.
One new facet of this game, that Kleveman highlights is the role multinational oil corporations play in the game. Whether you adhere to many of Kleveman's suggestions that much of what is done in this region is done at Big Oil's behest is subject to debate.
The book is well written..although I did note some factual errors, particularly with some of the military terminology that he uses. Book is very reminiscent of Eastward to Tartary...but overall a good read for anyone interested in the realpolitik of Central Asia.

Rating: 4 out of 5
The Cold War is over!
The book is well-written, and provides great and complete information on the current state of affairs in Central Asia, China and Azerbaijan. It also gives a bit of an historical overview of the affairs in the region from late 19th century onwards. The author judges the events from personal experience and provides many details from encounters in every country mentioned.

There is a downside to the personal approach to geopolitical writing, however, and it is the author's obvious hatred of Russia. His description of the Chechen terrorists and the Nord Ost hostage affair is biased and one-sided, tarnishing an otherwise excellent work.



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