Grade 8 Up–These titles look at the importance of Islam in this region. The emphasis that they place on geopolitics, both in the countries' historical development and in their current significance, gives them a cohesive focus and an interest level not usually found in country studies. Although there are individual chapters on the land, history, economy, people, cities, and foreign relations, the growth and influence of Islam are integrated throughout the texts. The writing is lucid and lively; the photographs, relevant and representative of a variety of lifestyles. Kazakhstan is the most impressive, but the others are equally informative. The author of Kyrgyzstan could not have predicted the overthrow of Akayev in spring 2005, but he does alert readers to why the president was losing support.
