Annotation: The Caucasian War is one of the most controversial chapters of the history of Russia. The book by Amiran Urushadze, however, goes beyond the scope of historiographical and political disputes: this is not the history of military campaigns, battles, conquest and resistance that interests the author, but rather the comprehensive, if many-faced and multi-faceted, history of
a man engaged in the Caucasian War. The book comprises seven stories “narrated” by various historical characters. Of these there are public officials and back-bench participants of the events that took place in the XIX century Caucasus as well.
First and foremost, the book contains Nicolas I’s
considerations, who had “inherited” the Caucasian War and hadn’t lived to see its end. His point of view on the Caucasian problematics contributes to clearer understanding of the logic of the policy executed by the Empire towards its tumultuous southern margin. The book traces the fortunes of the Russian officers and Сossacks, who saw service at the Caucasus, as well as the  tragedy of the Caucasian highlanders, the descendants of the local clanish aristocracy. All this diversity of individual opinions and point of view contribute to the wholesome, multi-faceted picture of the dramatic and underlying problem that still have not been solved.

“This book reads like a good suspense novel. It has all of it — intrigues, conspiracy, heroic deeds, acts of treachery, battle scenes and human tragedies.
The conquest of Caucasus is a sort of Russian Frontier, witnessing unparalleled examples of heroism, courage and valor; it is the “Game of Thrones” placed in Caucasian settings, where the interest and aspirations of countless clans, tribes, dynasties intertwine with political wills of at least three mighty Empires.”
 
— Juri Saprykin, journalist

“The Caucasian War is entering into its third century. Amiran Urushadze shows why all the military successes gained by the Russian Empire in 18th—19th centuries could not bring the long-desired peace neither to the Highlanders, nor to the Cossacks, the Crown and the neighboring countries. The history of the country bleeds through a gallery of masterfully outlined biographical portraits, capturing the reader’s eye and attention from cover to cover.”

— Gasan Guseinov, philologist