Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #409333 in Books
• Published on: 2004-11-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 131 pages

Synopsis
Chronicles the author's journeys across the area, provides reportage and background information on the bitter conflict with Russia, and includes a time line.

Customer Reviews

A personal insight into a secret war
It never ceases to amaze me that the the conflict in Chechnya remains almost unseen in the west. The scale of the destruction carried out by Russia in this country is beyond belief and yet we know very little about why or even where this conflict is taking place. The scale of this tragedy is shrouded in propaganda and lies from the Russian government, they won't allow any reporters into the country unless they are 'attached' (maybe it should read embedded? read into that what you will) to the Russian military, and so this obfuscation continues without any challenge. Andrew Meier recounts his own journey into the heart of a country torn apart by successive wars and continuing aggression from without and within, he portrays the privations of a nation that has no recognisable governement or administration and uncovers tales of ethnic cleansing and brutality on an unprecedented scale. A harrowing first person account that captures the beauty of the country and the nobility of its people whilst skilfully portraying the senseless nature of the continuing conflict in this forgotten country. Essential reading for anybody who wants an easy to understand introduction to the subject.

Balance?
Western and Islamic commentators present the Chechen conflict in simplistic David and Goliath terms. Excesses committed by members of the Russian forces are lovingly detailed but the often truly shocking and barbarous crimes against humanity committed by increasingly Islamiscied and Arab influenced Chechen extremists are glossed over or denied altogether. The beheading videos first seen in the West after the ill-fated Iraq war were pioneered in Chechnya with young, Russian victims in the main. The horrific genocide, rape and enslavement of the Russian population by Chechen extremists after the Soviet Union started to disintegrate is quite simply denied by Chechens and their apologists in the West and Islamic world. This book unfortunately as with many others has set its stall out in the Chechen camp. Go elsewhere for a truly balanced view.