Russia and Central Asia: Coexistence, Conquest, Convergence

"Shoshana Keller’s Russia and Central Asia: Coexistence, Conquest, Convergence is a book I couldn’t put down. Anyone curious about Central Asia from a Russian history background would benefit from her unassuming prose. Whatever your interest, there will surely be an aspect of Central Asian and Russian history that will tickle your fancy. The University of Toronto Press publishes some of the most powerful books that demystify this shrouded region and lesser-known history, opening the doors so that any student can begin learning about the richness of these societies."

Katherine Leung, Lossi 36 Weekly

"Shoshanna Keller has written an important book on the history of Central Asia that covers its pre-Russian, Russian imperial, Soviet, and post-Soviet periods, focusing on the imperial and Soviet periods. As she tackles this thorny subject, Keller’s most significant contribution is to bring into focus the nomadic perspective that has largely been neglected by earlier scholarship."

Gulnar Kendirbai, Columbia University, Acta Via Serica

"Well informed on historical debates of each period that the book addresses, Keller demonstrates how the relations between these two spaces evolved before, during, and after key episodes in their respective histories."

Alisher Khaliyarov, Ohio State University, Central Asian Survey

"The book’s simplicity and strong engagement with new finds in existing scholarly literature make this an important survey text for those looking to first engage Central Asia."

Jeff Sahadeo, Carleton University, American Historical Review

"Shoshana Keller offers students an accessible and engaging account of the historical relationship between Russia and the peoples of Central Asia. The text is enlivened by the author’s deep knowledge of Central Asian history and command of local languages."

Sarah Cameron, University of Maryland

"Russia and Central Asia breaks ground for its relative fullness in treating the modern history of Russian-Central Asian interaction in all of its violent, productive, and cross-culturally intermingling ways. Such a book has been badly needed for decades by both scholars and students wanting to teach and learn about the Russian-Central Asian nexus that continues to constitute many aspects of the respective countries' cross-border relations in terms of politics, economics, and social relations. This well-written and accessible book will be the standard bearer for many years to come."

Russell Zanca, Northeastern Illinois University