Georgia - In the Mountains of Poetry (3rd rev. ed. 2006) [Caucasus World: Peoples of the Caucasus]

This is the first comprehensive cultural and historical introduction to modern Georgia. It covers the country region by region, taking the form of a literary journey through the transition from Soviet Georgia to the modern independent nation state. Georgia's recorded history goes back nearly 3,000 years. The Georgians converted to Christianity in 330 and their Bagratuni monarchy endured for over 1,000 years. The Soviets ruled the region from 1921 but their vigorous repression did little to eradicate the strong Georgian sense of nationhood and under Gorbachev, Georgian independence became inevitable. Nasmyth's lively and topical survey charts the nation's remarkable cultural and historical journey to statehood. Having travelled extensively in the country over a period of five years, Peter Nasmyth is exceptionally qualified to write on Georgia. His authoritative, dynamic and perceptive book is based on hundreds of interviews with modern Georgians, from country priests to black marketeers. Georgia will be essential reading for anyone interested in this fascinating region as well as for students and researchers requiring an insight into life after the collapse of the old Soviet order in the richest and most dramatic of the former republics. Book Cover......Page 1 Half Title......Page 2 Series Title......Page 3 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 8 Preface to the third edition......Page 9 Part I: PRE-INDEPENDENT GEORGIA......Page 18 1. Why Georgia?......Page 20 2. Before the Caucasus......Page 27 3. The mountains of poetry......Page 36 4. Kazbegi......Page 50 5. The mountain......Page 56 6. Kazbegi to Tbilisi......Page 62 7. Tbilisi......Page 72 8. Mtskheta......Page 130 9. Gori......Page 139 10. Vardzia......Page 148 11. Kakheti......Page 153 12. Svaneti......Page 164 13. Sukhumi......Page 188 Part II: INDEPENDENT GEORGIA......Page 204 14. The eve of independence......Page 206 15. The young shoots of war......Page 213 16. Batumi......Page 222 17. Khevsureti......Page 240 18. Georgia’s war: a return to Sukhumi......Page 261 19. A religious revival......Page 279 20. Kutaisi......Page 292 21. New Georgia......Page 302 22. The Rose Revolution......Page 314 23. A walk in Tusheti......Page 327 FURTHER READING......Page 340 Appendix 1: Oil, water & Mensheviks......Page 341 Appendix 2: Notes on the new economics......Page 344 Select bibliography......Page 346 Political chronology of Georgia since 1900......Page 349 Index......Page 351 First Published In 1998, This Book Has Become One Of The Comprehensive Cultural And Historical Introductions To Modern Georgia. This Third Edition Brings The 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.--jacket. Part I : Pre-independent Georgia -- Why Georgia? -- Before The Caucasus -- The Mountains Of Poetry -- Kazbegi -- The Mountain -- Kazbegi To Tbilisi -- Tbilisi -- Mtskheta -- Gori -- Vardzia -- Kakheti -- Svaneti -- Sukhumi -- Part Ii : Independent Georgia -- The Eve Of Independence -- The Young Shoots Of War -- Batumi -- Khevsureti -- Georgia's War : A Return To Sukhumi -- A Religious Revival -- Kutaisi -- New Georgia -- The Rose Revolution -- A Walk In Tusheti. Peter Nasmyth. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 329-331) And Index. Serves as a cultural and historical introduction to Georgia. This book covers the country, region by region, taking the form of a literary journey through the transition from Soviet Georgia to the independent nation state. It is aimed at those interested in this fascinating region, and is based on hundreds of interviews with modern Georgians Providing the comprehensive cultural and historical introduction to modern Georgia, this book charts the nation's remarkable journey to statehood, giving insights into this region. It covers the country region by region, taking the form of a literary journey through the transition from Soviet Georgia to the modern independent nation state. A psychological geography that takes a literary path into the fascinating national character of Georgia. It covers an eleven year period of momentous change in this central Caucasian nation. It also provides a historical investigation into the emotions and culture driving these changes. All voyages are searches in disguise, and this one to the nation of Georgia has turned out as no exception.