Title: Eastward to Tartary: Travels in the Balkans, the Middle East, and the Caucasus Author: Robert D. Kaplan type of book: Non-Fiction call number: 915.6 KAP

This book is strong in story and setting.

Summary:
Mr. Kaplan is a journalist who has lived within and studied the Middle East, and studied the history and politics of Eastern and Central Europe. This book is an effort to "anticipate the problems" that loom in this important region of the world, what he defines as the Greater Middle East, where he traveled in 1998 through 1999. His trip went from Hungary to Israel, via Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan; and another trip from Turkey to Turkmenistan, passing through the former Soviet republics of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Discussions with politicians, farmers, taxi drivers, and teachers reveal the historical and ethnic issues and the parallels between present and past, to the influence of a deeper culture, the patterns of belief and behavior that trace back hundreds or thousands of years.

I would recommend this book!

Why
Mr. Kaplan's topic is a timely one and looks to be one of the world's present and future trouble areas. It is well written and the issues are clearly defined, offering a view of different cultures and their possible effects on the rest of civilization.

Other suggested reading:

Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History, also by Robert D. Kaplan

Employee Initials: KW Review Date: May 2003

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