Richard Foltz is Professor of Religions and Cultures at Concordia University, Canada.

I do not see how anyone can read this book without being educated, inspired and enlightened. For what is most impressive about the author is the broad extent of his knowledge. This gem of a book provides a valuable resource for general readers, challenging reductive nationalisms and dispelling entrenched stereotypes ... The book is highly recommended.

• List of IllustrationsPrefacePreface to the second editionAcknowledgmentsHistorical TimelineA Note on TransliterationIntroduction: Who are the Tajiks?1 The Prehistory of Central Asia2 Sogdians and Bactrians3 The Samanid Empire and the New Persian Renaissance4 Tajiks and Turks5 The Soviet Period6 The Republic of Tajikistan7 Tajiks in Uzbekistan Excursus: Afghanistan at a Stone’s ThrowConclusion: Differing Contexts, Manifold ChallengesNotesBibliographyIndex

Richard Foltz is Professor of Religions and Cultures at Concordia University, Canada.

I do not see how anyone can read this book without being educated, inspired and enlightened. For what is most impressive about the author is the broad extent of his knowledge. This gem of a book provides a valuable resource for general readers, challenging reductive nationalisms and dispelling entrenched stereotypes ... The book is highly recommended.

• List of IllustrationsPrefacePreface to the second editionAcknowledgmentsHistorical TimelineA Note on TransliterationIntroduction: Who are the Tajiks?1 The Prehistory of Central Asia2 Sogdians and Bactrians3 The Samanid Empire and the New Persian Renaissance4 Tajiks and Turks5 The Soviet Period6 The Republic of Tajikistan7 Tajiks in Uzbekistan Excursus: Afghanistan at a Stone’s ThrowConclusion: Differing Contexts, Manifold ChallengesNotesBibliographyIndex

Richard Foltz is Professor of Religions and Cultures at Concordia University, Canada.

I do not see how anyone can read this book without being educated, inspired and enlightened. For what is most impressive about the author is the broad extent of his knowledge. This gem of a book provides a valuable resource for general readers, challenging reductive nationalisms and dispelling entrenched stereotypes ... The book is highly recommended.

• List of IllustrationsPrefacePreface to the second editionAcknowledgmentsHistorical TimelineA Note on TransliterationIntroduction: Who are the Tajiks?1 The Prehistory of Central Asia2 Sogdians and Bactrians3 The Samanid Empire and the New Persian Renaissance4 Tajiks and Turks5 The Soviet Period6 The Republic of Tajikistan7 Tajiks in Uzbekistan Excursus: Afghanistan at a Stone’s ThrowConclusion: Differing Contexts, Manifold ChallengesNotesBibliographyIndex