"...An extremely stimulating work... draws attention to a number of facts and events which, until now, remained more or less unnoticed in scholarly literature. The author introduces new viewpoints into traditional historiography... which should contribute to a deeper understanding of relations among substantial features of Russian history." - Professor K. V. Maly, Charles University, Prague - "Edgar Knobloch introduces the reader to a dimension of Russian history that is both fascinating and relatively unknown - how the Central Asian side of Russia, with its steppe frontier, has had such a profound influence on Russian civilisation in general." - Professor Norman Stone "You have to admire Edgar Knobloch: his unblinking focus, his unflagging industry, his undeniable erudition, his trenchant opinions, his indifference to academic fashions. Most other scholars will hate this unashamedly tendentious book - but it is the most eloquent statement yet of the case for classifying Russian history apart from that of the rest of Europe. Russia's continued self-distancing from the EU will ensure that Dr Knobloch attracts attention, even where he does not command assent. - Professor Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, Tufts University"

Edgar Knobloch is uniquely qualified for this work. A graduate in Law and Economics, he has studied the History of the Middle East and Arabic, speaks fluent Russian, dabbled in Turkish and Persian. In more than 30 journeys he has visited all Middle Eastern countries from Yemen to Xinjiang, China, as well as Russia. His works include, among others, The Art of Central Asia, Beyond the Oxus, Monuments of Central Asia, and Archaeology and Art of Afghanistan. He has also made translations of several medieval travelogues, including those of Carpini, Rubruck, and Clavijo. He lives in France.