Chechens: Culture and Society 2014th Edition

I commend the writer. She writes very well. It is very precise and clear. What I like most is she uses very simple language to discuss a complex problem. Moreover, when she presents her conclusion, she is brutally honest. At times, I wonder if there is a tinge of bitterness of having lived with the Chechen people with almost ten years, that in the end, it come to nothing and she blamed the backwardness of Chechen culture for this. However, I think many Chechens also blame themselves for having not only been defeated but having been used by other powers and powerful interests as a tool rather than unifying for the greater goal of independence and liberation. Overall, I highly recommend the book. My only suggestion would have been to cut some parts of the book which weren't particularly relevant. A few chapters in the middle of the book should have been the climax of arguments, but around page 155 is the real climax and I think that the first 60% should have been reduced to make it just 1/3 of the book, in order to have a real beginning, middle, and end.

This is an essential study of a people who are too often dismissed with a single word: crazy, violent, terrorists, etc. But their ancient and powerful culture is as good as any and better than most, and their logic is impeccable. A rare look at a rare people whose road has been hard, but who continue to try to prevail.