Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan

Dark Shadows is a compelling portrait of Kazakhstan, a country strategically located in Central Asia, sandwiched between Russia and China. It explores how President Nursultan Nazarbayev transformed the economically-struggling state into a swaggering 21st-century monocracy, featuring a colorful cast of characters.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Dark Shadows is a captivating portrayal of Kazakhstan, a country that is relatively unknown in the Western world. Strategically situated in the heart of Central Asia, sandwiched between Vladimir Putin's Russia, its former colonial ruler, and Xi Jinping's China, this vast oil-rich state is carving out its place in the global landscape as it grapples with its complex past and present. Journalist Joanna Lillis offers a vivid portrayal of this emerging nation through her extensive reportage, spanning 13 years of on-the-ground coverage, and her travels across the length and breadth of this enigmatic country, which lies along the ancient Silk Road and at the geopolitical and cultural crossroads where East meets West.

The book delves into the intricate dynamics of power, exploring how President Nursultan Nazarbayev transformed himself into a potentate and the economically struggling state he inherited at the fall of the Soviet Union into a swaggering 21st-century monarchy. A diverse cast of characters brings the politics to life, ranging from strutting oligarchs to sleeping villagers, principled politicians to striking oilmen, crusading journalists to courageous campaigners.

Through its vivid descriptions, Dark Shadows transports readers to the dusty deserts and majestic mountains of Kazakhstan, showcasing its vibrant cities and dystopian landscapes. It conjures up Kazakhstan as a living, breathing place, full of extraordinary people leading extraordinary lives. This book serves as a valuable contribution to understanding the complexities and contradictions of a nation on the rise, offering a glimpse into the lives and struggles of its people as it navigates its path towards a brighter future.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350350243