Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan by Joanna Lillis (PDF)

Description

Dark Shadows is a compelling portrait of Kazakhstan, a country that is little known in the West. Strategically located in the heart of Central Asia, sandwiched between Vladimir Putin’s Russia, its former colonial ruler, and Xi Jinping’s China, this vast oil-rich state is carving out its place in the world as it contends with its own complex past and present. Journalist Joanna Lillis paints a vibrant picture of this emerging nation through vivid reportage based on 13 years of on-the-ground coverage, and travels across the length and breadth of this enigmatic country that lies along the ancient Silk Road and at the geopolitical and cultural crossroads where East meets West.Featuring tales of murder and abduction, intrigue and betrayal, extortion and corruption, this book explores how a president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, transformed himself into a potentate and the economically-struggling state he inherited at the fall of the USSR into a swaggering 21st-century monocracy. A colourful cast of characters brings the politics to life: from strutting oligarch to sleeping villagers, from principled politicians to striking oilmen, from crusading journalists to courageous campaigners.Traversing dust-blown deserts and majestic mountains, taking in glitzy cities and dystopian landscapes, Dark Shadows conjures up Kazakhstan as a living, breathing place, full of extraordinary people living extraordinary lives.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: Review “Lillis traveled widely across the country, carried out an impressive number of interviews, and followed several key events… She also closely explored the stories and experiences of numerous [people]… Her work demonstrates that [Kazakhstan] has become more secretive, authoritative, and oppressive.” ―CHOICE “This is a fine book, beautifully written and with just the right blend of affection and censure. Lillis has rendered a great public service by dispelling some of the myths and caricatures that have gathered around Kazakhstan, which remains one of the world’s least well-understood countries.” ―Eurasianet About the Author Joanna Lillis is a Kazakhstan-based journalist reporting on Central Asia whose work has featured in the Guardian, The Economist and the Independent newspaper.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐A useful but somewhat uneven work. It is written in a journalistic style, with much use of interviews, and is organized as a series of short specific topics, with relatively little analysis and a somewhat impressionistic style. There is a lot of interesting material, but there is no real effort to pull the pieces together.Some of the more interesting chapters are discussions of both high level and low level corruption; on restrictions on the press; on the suppression of meaningful political opposition; on Kazakh history; on the complex relationship with Russia; on ethnic tensions. There are also some rather fluffy short chapters on oddball topics such as an ostrich farm or a hobbyist vineyard. Unfortunately there is very little on the economy or general social tends.A lot of this is definitely useful and good, but it would have been helpful to see more analysis of the connections between the various topics. For example, many of the government’s fears (such as its relationship with an awakened and aggressive Russia or of the risk of internal ethnic unrest) seem well founded, and these fears clearly affect its internal behavior. How well is it balancing different risks and opportunities?Overall, I did feel that I learned a lot about today’s Kazakhstan from the various chapters, so despite the weaknesses, I’d still recommend this as a useful entry to thinking about Kazakhstan.

⭐Dark Shadows is an excellent book for numerous reasons. It is very easy to read but more importantly very concise and summarizes a lot of key aspects on Kazakhstan which makes it a great entry point for people who know little of the country. Yet it is serious and detailed enough for those who expect more on such a subject. It sets the context with the Russian and Soviet history. It talks about the social and political life of Kazakhstan, the nuclear testing, and has chapters dedicated to other stories and topics.A core section of the book deals with some of the political scandals and dynastic power struggles that plague Kazakhstan. It gives a glimpse into the world of (now former) President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who has helped to mold, define, and establish Kazakhstan in the 21st century in his own unique way. The author even predicted that the capital (Astana) would eventually be renamed in honor of the president (it turned out to be Nur-Sultan)!Another advantage the book has is the author’s experience of decades living in the Soviet space and Kazakhstan which provides a rich pool of insight, knowledge, and research to pull from. If you are interested in Central Asia and Kazakhstan, this book is an absolute must-read!

⭐I knew nothing about Kazakhstan going into this book and I have come away with the feeling that I have gotten a glimpse into an enormous, complex and compelling country. I think the book is a great primer on the various political as social aspects of Kazakhstan. It is by no means something like a comprehensive history, but I loved the format of short chapters on various topics. For me, when I am new to a subject I retain much more when it is presented in small chunks. The book covers 20th and 21st century history and the book is focused on firsthand accounts of important historical moments from witnesses the author has interviewed.Joanna Lillis’s writing is straightforward and compelling. I tore through the book a number of days, something that is uncommon for me with nonfiction. Overall, if you are interested in Eurasia, I would highly recommend.

⭐If you’re interested in Kazakhstan’s political history since its independence from the USSR, this book is a decent insight into it. However, personally, I wished the author had included more positive stories from her time and experiences learning about the lives of the people of Kazakhstan. There’s just far too much of a focus on the nefarious forces in the country. Of course the title of the book clearly points to what the book is about, but I was hoping to learn more about the country as a whole and not just the recent political history. There are parts of the book that are slow which should probably have been edited out. Since there aren’t very many books available about the country (Apples Are from Kazakhstan is a puff piece), this is still worth reading to learn about Kazakhstan.

⭐An important but often overlooked country. This is the best book I have been able to find on Kazakhstan. Very much worth reading on this rising nation.

⭐This was not a very good read. I wanted to know more about Kazakhstan. I should have paid attention to the title

⭐Outstanding insights into Kazakhstan’s history, politics, and society. Best book in English on Kazakhstan in last decade.William CourtneyUS Ambassador to Kazakhstan, 1992-95

⭐Joanna’s book is the gold mine of information about this highly secretive, and equally important Central Asian country.Muhammad TahirHost and Editor of the Majlis Podcast

⭐Kazakhstan has a fascinating past and a very interesting present and this knowledgeable writer captures it all so well. Without being ‘in your face’ the reality of every aspect of the history and today’s life in this country is conveyed in the most page turning fashion. I almost feel I know he country.

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