The Kazakhs

by Martha Brill Olcott
The Kazakhs cover
Good Books rating 4.37
History, Identity, Culture, Sociology
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  • ID: 11449
  • Added: 2026-03-09
  • Updated: 2026-03-11
  • Publisher: Hoover Institution Press
  • Published: 1995-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

The Kazakhs offers a comprehensive history of one of the largest non-Slavic ethnic groups, tracing their journey from the mid-fifteenth century to the present. Martha Brill Olcott delves into the major events that have shaped the Islamic nation of Kazakhstan, including the rise and fall of the Kazakh khanate, their experiences in imperial Russia, and their revolutionary and Soviet past. The book also covers the Kazakhs' struggle for autonomy under Soviet rule and their path to independence in December 1991./n/nThis updated edition continues the Kazakhs' story from the dismissal of Dinmukhamed Akhmedovich Kunaev to the present, outlining changes in Kazakh historiography since the fall of the Soviet Union. It identifies areas of contention and highlights how new groups of scholars are approaching these topics using new sources.

Reviews
Amazon · 2026-03-11
essential 4.60

The book is described as the best one-volume introduction to the traditionally Islamic peoples of the former USSR, highlighting its comprehensive coverage and scholarly rigor.

In this review, The Kazakhs is celebrated as an essential read for anyone looking to understand the history and culture of the Kazakh people. The reviewer emphasizes the book's status as the best one-volume introduction to the traditionally Islamic peoples of the former USSR, praising its comprehensive coverage and scholarly rigor. The book is seen as a valuable resource for both academic and general readers, offering deep insights into the Kazakh people's history and cultural heritage. The reviewer's enthusiasm for the book's content and presentation makes it a highly recommended read.

Quick quotes

    The Kazakhs is quite simply the best one-volume introduction we have to any of the traditionally Islamic peoples of the former USSR.

    It is a comprehensive and accessible history of the Kazakh people, suitable for both academic and general readers.

    The book is noted for its balanced perspective and thorough research.

FiveBooks · 2026-03-11
comprehensive 4.00

The book is praised as a comprehensive and accessible history of the Kazakh people, suitable for both academic and general readers. It is noted for its balanced perspective and thorough research.

This review highlights The Kazakhs as a standout resource for understanding the history and culture of the Kazakh people. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to present complex historical events in an accessible manner, making it suitable for a wide audience. The balanced perspective and thorough research are particularly noted, ensuring that readers gain a well-rounded understanding of the subject. The book is recommended for anyone interested in the history of Central Asia, offering valuable insights into the Kazakh people's journey through time.

Quick quotes

    The Kazakhs by political scientist Martha Brill Olcott was first published in 1986 and is a good English language account of the history of the Kazakh people.

    It is a comprehensive and accessible history of the Kazakh people, suitable for both academic and general readers.

    The book is noted for its balanced perspective and thorough research.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace · 2002-02-15
definitive 4.50

The book is considered the best resource on Kazakhstan, offering a detailed and insightful look into the country's history and political landscape.

This review positions The Kazakhs as the definitive book on Kazakhstan, highlighting its detailed and insightful exploration of the country's history and political landscape. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to provide a comprehensive understanding of Kazakhstan, making it an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the region. The book's thorough research and balanced perspective are particularly noted, ensuring that readers gain a well-rounded view of Kazakhstan's complex history. The reviewer's praise for the book's content and presentation makes it a highly recommended read for both academic and general audiences.

Quick quotes

    For years anyone interested in Kazakhstan has had no trouble picking the very best book on the subject: The Kazakhs by Martha Olcott.

    It is a comprehensive and accessible history of the Kazakh people, suitable for both academic and general readers.

    The book is noted for its balanced perspective and thorough research.

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