{"product_id":"nazarbayev-and-the-making-of-jonathan-aitken-9781441153814","title":"Nazarbayev and the Making of Kazakhstan: From Communism to Capitalism","description":"\u003cp\u003eKazakhstan is colossal in size, complicated in its history, colourful in its culture and is a nation state that most outsiders know little of. Much of the existing narrative revolves around the country's first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev. But his life can only be understood in the context of the land in which he was born, raised and became a leader. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFor centuries the tribes of Kazakhstan had been plundered and conquered by foreign invaders. The most ruthless of these were the 20th century leaders of the Soviet Union, but after its collapse it was Nazarbayev who emerged as the new President of the nation state. Jonathan Aitken's masterly book is a riveting account of how Kazakhstan has capitalised on its natural resources (including oil) to become one of the great economic success stories of the modern era. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eNazarbayev himself is widely admired as a political leader and strategist, having overcome extraordinary crises including hyperinflation, food shortages and the emigration of two million people. However, his record on human rights is less than perfect and the independence of the judiciary and the press are questionable. Corruption is also widespread in Kazakh society, making it an easy target for Ali G in his movie Borat. The obstacles faced in becoming a successful economy are described and examined honestly in this truly fascinating story.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Jonathan Aitken\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1441153810\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781441153814\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Continuum\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/09\/2009\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 280\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.40lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.40h x 6.30w x 1.00d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLondon Review of Books\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/28\/2010 pg. 13","brand":"Jonathan Aitken","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":43989830402303,"sku":"9781441153814","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_efff6bcf-17e4-4111-9efb-5dded44fbe08.jpg?v=1683301623","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/nazarbayev-and-the-making-of-jonathan-aitken-9781441153814","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}