Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation

The book Kazakhstan-The Central Asia Leopard by university professor Anton Caragea is opening to the Romanian public a rare opportunity to have a glimpse into an unfamiliar and far away world: Central Asia. 

Unfortunately until now this vast space was unexplored by Romanian literature. With this book, the eminent researcher and diplomat Anton Caragea is creating for us an exceptional political, economic and cultural guide, offering a chance to take part in the spectacle of two millennia of history of the heart of Central Asia: Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan-The Central Asia Leopard is allowing the reader to uncover the fascination and richness of Scythians society, the splendor of the empires of Otrar and Taraz, lifting the veil over the adventure of Kazakhs khan history, the tragedies of soviet history until the remarkable re-birth of today Kazakhstan.

Extremely interesting is the fact that the work is by itself an opportunity to attend, as informed spectators to recent history of Kazakhstan: from the construction of a new capital: Astana, to the birth of a new state on world map: Kazakhstan and the enormous exertions of president Nursultan Nazarbayev to map it as a major state on world arena. All this historical fresco`s are interesting, documented and benefits of a full of passion presentation, transforming this book in a major editorial enterprise of the last years.

Finally, for the readers loving practical`s aspects the book is more than satisfactory: chapter`s dedicated to tourism, political and economic information and a practical guide presenting Kazakhstan cultural and natural reserves, region after region, city by city, all the information`s are accessible, combining hundred of books and documents in a research that is becoming an essential guide for all those wishing to have access to a region that is rapidly emerging as a world power: Central Asia.

In the end, I can only hope that this impressive work of erudition by professor Anton Caragea will have the reader that it deserves and will be read by history passionate and will open a Romanian research school on Central Asia.

Dr.Mircea Constantinescu-European Diplomatic Academy