Georgia In the Mountains of Poetry

First published in 1998 this book has become one of the comprehensive cultural and historical introductions to modern Georgia. This, its third edition, brings its drama-rich story up to date. Covering the country region by region in the form of a literary journey, the book carefully selects the events - all eyewitnessed - that steered Georgia through its transition from Soviet republic to independent democracy, then more recently its Rose Revolution. But underlying the modern nation state is a recorded history that stretches back nearly 3,000 years. Georgia converted to Christianity in 330AD, and its Bagrati monarchy endured for over 1,000 years. Embracing Russian rule in the late 18th century, the Bolsheviks would then wrench Menshevik Georgia into their fold in 1921. But vigorous repression still failed to eradicate Georgia's strong sense of nationhood. This lively and topical book is careful to present the culture, religion and mythology that sustained Georgia's remarkable survival up and into its contemporary statehood. Travelling extensively across the whole Caucasus over a period of nineteen years, Peter Nasmyth offers an authoritative and dynamic text is based on hundreds of wide-ranging interviews. This much-expanded new edition will be essential reading for anyone interested in this strategically important region, as well as for students and researchers requiring a practical insight into life in what was the Soviet Union's richest and most coveted republic.Nasmyth, Peter is the author of 'Georgia In the Mountains of Poetry', published 2006 under ISBN 9780415396691 and ISBN 0415396697.