Georgia emerged from the fall of the Soviet empire in 1991 with the promise of swift economic and democratic reform. But that promise remains unfulfilled. Economic collapse, secessionist challenges, civil war and the failure to escape the legacy of Soviet rule - culminating in the 2008 war with Russia - characterise a two-decade struggle to establish democratic institutions and consolidate statehood. Here, Stephen Jones critically analyses Georgia's recent political and economic development, illustrating what its 'transition' has meant, not just for the state, but for its citizens as well. An authoritative and commanding exploration of Georgia since independence, this is essential for those interested in the post-Soviet world. Read more

Oliver Bullough's Let Our Fame be Great: Journeys Among the Defiant Peoples of the Caucasus is the extraordinary untold story of the inhabitants of the Caucasus and their unbreakable spirit. The Caucasus mountains are a land of jagged peaks and rugged people, who for over 200 years have rebelled against Russia's attempts to add them to its empire. Oliver Bullough's extraordinary debut tells their story for the first time. Travelling from remote village to refugee camp, rocky mountain gorge to forgotten massacre site, he discovers exiles, fighters, lost sects, defiant survivors - and an unbreakable spirit. 'With this impassioned volume Bullough has struck a blow for the glory of the Caucasus and helped to give voice to the voiceless' Justin Marozzi, Financial Times 'Gripping stories that tell of the terrible things that happen to people caught up in constant warfare ... Now their stories are sung by a champion and will resound beyond their boundaries' The Times 'A haunting portrait of a people blown to the winds by a forgotten storm' Economist 'Wonderful, moving' Norman Stone 'Brilliant ... Bullough draws you irresistibly into his narrative, fusing reportage, history and travelogue in colourful, absorbing prose ... The book is a pleasure' Spectator 'Grand, furious' Sunday Times Books of the Year 'Let its fame be great' Scotsman Oliver Bullough (b. 1977) studied modern history at Oxford University and moved to Russia in 1999. He lived in St Petersburg, Bishkek and Moscow over the next seven years, working as a journalist first for local magazines and newspapers, and then for Reuters news agency. He reported from all over Russia and the former Soviet Union, but liked nothing more than to work among the peoples and mountains of the North Caucasus. Read more

The brief war between Russia and Georgia in August 2008 seemed to many like an unexpected shot out of the blue that was gone as quickly as it came. Former Assistant Deputy Secretary of State Ronald Asmus contends that it was a conflict that was prepared and planned for some time by Moscow, part of a broader strategy to send a message to the United States: that Russia is going to flex its muscle in the 21st century. A Little War that Changed the World is a fascinating look at the breakdown of relations between Russia and the West, the decay and decline of the Western Alliance itself, and the fate of Eastern Europe in a time of economic crisis. Read more

The Caucasus is a jagged land. Sandwiched between the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, Turkey to the west, Iran to the south and Russia to the north, if the Caucasus didn't already possess the highest mountain range in Europe, the massive political pressure exerted from all sides would have forced the land to crack and rise anyway. Conquered in its time by Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, Peter the Great, Hitler and Stalin, its history is eventful to say the least. Noah's Ark lies, apparently, on the borders of Armenia; the Garden of Eden can be found in the south of Azerbaijan; and Prometheus was, for his sins, bound and pecked on the peak of a mountain in Georgia. Now, Nicholas Griffin combines history with travelogue as he explores the Caucasus in search of the legacy of Imam Shamil, 19th-century freedom fighter and guru of today's Chechen resistance. Read more

First published in 2008. Intended for would-be travellers to Georgia, this guide presents information on all of the country's regions, as well as its history, language, literature, and political conditions. Batum, Tiflis, Vladikavkaz, the Kakhetian Road, Signakh, and the Alazana are among the locales explored by the author of this fascinating book, first published in 1888. Today's travellers would be well advised to carry two guides: a modern book to assist them with practical necessities and Wardrop's Kingdom of Georgia to convey to them Georgia's history and eternal spirit. Read more

This is the first full history of the ancient Georgia ever to be written outside Georgia itself. It is also an introduction to the substantial archaeological work that has been carried out in Georgia in recent decades. The principal purpose of this book is to open up ancient Georgia for the world of scholarship at large. It is not only the history of a neglected region, but also a sustained attempt to inform topics and issues that are more familiar to the historians of antiquity: myths of the periphery, Caucasian mountains and their passes, Greek colonization, the Persian, Athenian, and Selecuid empires, Pompey's conquest of Mithridates' empire, the development of the Roman frontier in the eastern Black Sea region, Roman diplomancy in Iberia, the Christianization of Iberia, Sassanian ambitions in Transcaucasia and Byzantine warfare there.The author has lived in Georgia for substantial periods during the last decade: he has made extensive use of scholarship in Georgian and Russian, and has first-hand knowledge of most of the sites which he discusses. Read more

Georgia is the most Western-looking state in today’s Near or Middle East and, despite having one of the longest, most turbulent histories in the Christian or Near Eastern world, no proper history of the country has been written for decades. Eminent historian Donald Rayfield redresses this balance in Edge of Empires, focusing not merely on the post-Soviet era, like many other books on Georgia, but on the whole of its history, accessing a mass of new material from the country’s recently opened archives. Rayfield describes Georgia’s swings between disintegration and unity, making full use of primary sources, many not available before in an English-language book. He examines the history of a country which, though small, stands at a crossroads between Russia and the Muslim world, between Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and is a dramatic example of state-building and, also, of tragic political mistakes. Read more

Classic, simple, intelligent and at the same time fascinating Kriss Kross Puzzles that will allow you to spend your time with benefit and pleasure.Discover the fascinating world of Kriss Kross puzzles with which it is so easy and fun to develop your logical thinking and strengthen your memory - these are the features of this game.Key features:300 Puzzles for Adults and Seniors.Answers to each puzzle.Premium matte cover and beautiful simple book design.Treat yourself to joy and simplicity, you will definitely like it! Read more

This is a tale through the Caucasus from Europe’s lowest point on the shores of the Caspian Sea to its highest point on the summit of Mount Elbrus. The route follows a strand of the Silk Road from Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan through the desert to reach a ferry across the Caspian to Baku.From there the journey winds through some of the history of the Caucasus with its ancient kingdoms and the landscape of Azerbaijan and across the border into Georgia. This country is famous for its distinctive and good quality wines plus many churches and monasteries, an enclave of Christianity surrounded by populations that are predominantly Muslim.Mount Elbrus is in Russia to the north, but the border was shut so it meant a diversion through Cappadocia in Turkey and a flight via Moscow before approaching Mount Elbrus from the Russian side of the border for the attempt on the summit, which at an elevation of 5,862 metres is Europe’s highest mountain. Read more

With its wealth of historical sites, vibrant culture, and varied landscapes, "Discovering Georgia: A Comprehensive Travel Guide to the Jewel of the Caucasus" takes readers on an immersive tour across this enchanted nation. From the sun-kissed Black Sea beaches to the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus Mountains, this book reveals the hidden gems and famous sites that epitomize Georgia's charm. Experience the warmth of Georgian hospitality, indulge in the tastes of traditional Georgian food, and explore historic cities shrouded in legend. Regardless of your interests—history, wildlife, or cuisine—this guide offers insightful analysis and useful advice for making the most of everything Georgia has to offer. Take off on an incredible journey to see why Georgia is genuinely the jewel in the crown of Caucasus. Read more

This multidisciplinary collection provides a unique insiders’ perspective on the major issues in Georgian politics, society, and economics in the twenty-five years since its independence from the Soviet Union. Read more

Tony Anderson set out in the summer of 1998 to walk from the Caspian to the Black Sea, along the southern crest of the Caucasus. He was pulled along in the wake of the many tribes and peoples who had passed through the mountains, leaving behind a whisper of their deeds and names. He wanted particularly to visit the Georgian mountain tribes - Pshavs, Toush, Khevsours, Ratchuelians and Svans - to discover if they shared a common culture and to test the old idea of the Caucasus as an impenetrable barrier from sea to sea, with ancient tribes living in isolation from the outside world. From Azerbaijan in the east to Svaneti in the west, Anderson found communities where the old customs and beliefs still triumphantly survive, despite years of communist oppression and the terrible uncertainties since the collapse of the Soviet Union. From Khevsoureti he crossed into Chechnia to hunt bear. In Ratcha he found a community of mountain Jews that had lived in the mountains since the exile from Babylon. Everywhere he met with great kindness - even in Svaneti, where he was robbed. Throughout his journey Anderson refers back to many other visits to Georgia, to the politics of independence, to the war in Abkhazia and Osetia, to the civil war and Shevardnadze's accession to power, to the history of these people at one of the most significant crossroads of the world. One of the mysteries is how Georgia, devastated time and again by all the great vagabonds of history (Huns, Avars, Khazars, Lesghians, Mongols, Tartars) and torn between great empires (Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Persian, Turkish, Russian) has managed to survive. But survive it has with a vibrant culture still intact and, in the mountains, still deeply connected to its ancient ways. Read more

Georgia is the most Western-looking state in today's Near or Middle East and, despite having one of the longest, most turbulent histories in the Christian or Near Eastern world, no proper history of the country has been written for decades. Donald Rayfield redresses this balance in Edge of Empires, focusing not merely on the post-Soviet era, like many other books on Georgia, but on the whole of its history, accessing a mass of new material from the country's recently opened archives. The book begins with the first intimations of the existence of Georgians in ancient Anatolia and ends with today's volatile President Saakashvili. It deals not only with the country's internal politics, but with its complex struggles with the empires which have tried to control, fragment or even exterminate the country. All the world's history - Xenophon's Greeks, the Arabs, the invading Turks, the Crusades, Chingiz Khan and Timur Lang, the Persian empire, the Russian empire, Soviet totalitarianism - is reflected in Georgia's history. Donald Rayfield describes Georgia's swings between disintegration and unity, making full use of primary sources, many not available before in an English-language book. He examines the history of a country which, though small, stands at a crossroads between Russia and the Muslim world, between Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and is a dramatic example of state-building and, also, of tragic political mistakes. Read more

Daily Codeword for adults is a great way to spend your time with benefit and joy, along with a pleasant and beautiful book for every day.Key features:100+ addicting puzzlesPleasant and fun timeTons of benefit and development!Classic and correctly composed Codeword Puzzles for every day are waiting for you.The best Codeword book awaits you...! Read more

The essential introduction to modern Georgia s history and culturePeter Nasmyth has lived in and travelled extensively throughout Georgia for thirty years. Georgia in the Mountains of Poetry is his fascinating account of this intriguing country, based on his travels and hundreds of wide-ranging interviews. Reprinted numerous times, it remains the only comprehensive book on Georgia s history and culture written for the general reader, now substantially revised and expanded for this new edition.Georgia no larger than Switzerland ranks in the world s top twelve countries for geographical diversity. It borders on the Black Sea and contains the heart of the Caucasus Mountains, subtropical wetlands and semi-arid regions. Stone towers attest to its 3,000-year- old history, which has witnessed the thousand-year reign of the Bagrationi monarchy, the rise and fall of the Soviet Union, a bitter civil war and the celebration of its independence in 1991. Yet little is known about this remarkable place outside its borders, and Georgia in the Mountains of Poetry is essential reading for anyone interested in this fascinating region, as well as for students and researchers looking for an insight into life after the collapse of the old Soviet order in the richest and most dramatic of its former republics.'Indispensable to all serious travellers to the Caucasus' TLS Read more

Mount kazbek,Georgia is one of the top rated tourists attractions in the world. These Photos Will Leave You Speechless.Full-Color Picture Book"40 Special Images-Large Print (8.5"*11")This full page picture book will make a great home coffee table decor accessory or as a gift for a loved one. Breathtaking Photos & Places. If You Have Visited It Before Or Are Planning To Visit It, These Photos Will Make You Feel Satisfaction.The Reality Is That Visual Aids, Particularly Photographs, Can Help Activate Memories For Someone With Alzheimer's, Memory Loss, And Dementia, And This Is True For Individuals With Both Early-Stage And Full-Stage Alzheimer's.My Book Can Also Be Used For Other Purposes, Including: In Cafes, Bookshelves, End Tables, Restrooms, Waiting Areas In Offices & Barbershops, & because It Will Be Attractive To The Viewer's With Its Wonderful Pictures, It Will Be Sufficient For Its Use.It can Increase The Quality Of Life For Persons With Down's Syndrome. Read more

The first comprehensive cultural and historical introduction to modern Georgia. It covers the country region by region, taking the form of a literary journey through the transition from Soviet Georgia to the modern independent nation state. Read more

This volume describes the results of the first ten years of the joint Anglo-Georgian excavations at Nokalakevi, West Georgia. The site, known to the Byzantines as Archaeopolis, was a major fortress in the fourth to sixth centuries A.D. often described as the capital of Lazika-Egrisi. Known to medieval Georgian chroniclers as Tsikhegoji, the site is also thought to be the capital of Colchis at the time of the first unification of Georgia in Hellenistic times. Extensively excavated since 1973, and by AGEN since 2001, this is the first significant publication of results to be produced in English. Read more

Historical Dictionary of Georgia, Second Edition through its chronology, glossary, introduction, appendixes, maps, bibliography, and over 900 hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on important persons, places, events, and institutions and significant political, economic, social, and cultural aspects, traces Georgia's history and provides a compass for the direction the country is heading. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Georgia. Read more