The Empire of the Steppes: A History of Central Asia

About this book

While the early history of the steppe nomads is shrouded in obscurity this obscurity lifts somewhat after their contact with cultures possessing written histories. But even when information about them becomes relatively more plentiful linguistic ocmplexities make its interpretation extremely difficult. Thus while the number of specialized studies devoted to them is impressive general works embracing the many disciplines involved or syntheses on a grand scale encompassing the sprawling history of these peoples are exceedingly scarce. Among these very few The Empire of the Steppes is outstanding. The aim of this first English-language edition has been to make available a major work useful to the general reader as well as to the specialist above all an edition which retains the majestic sweep and grandeur as well as the overriding intellectual grasp of Groussets original. Hailed as a masterpiece when first published in 1939 this great work of synthesis rapidly became indispensable to scholars fluent in French. Now after a decade of preparation this unique history of Central Asia is available in English in a felicitous translation by Naomi Walford from the 1952 French edition the last published in Groussets lifetime. Nineteen maps have been expressly prepared for the Rutgers edition and a comprehensive 54-page index has been added. In addition specialists have checked the text notes and bibliographical references to bring this vast work into conformity with present-day academic standards.