The Sabres of Paradise: Conquest and Vengeance in the Caucasus

The reviews I've read so far fail to emphasize that this book, while it certainly covers much of the history of the Caucuses in the latter half of the 19th century, is in no small part a biography of Imam Shamyl, "The Lion of Dhagestan", and his role as the leader of what was referred to as "The Mureed Wars". Shamyl was a legendary, charismatic leader who, through the power of his Islamic faith, and with the added dimension of being son-in-law of one of the great Shaykhs of the Naqshbandi Sufi order (Jamaluddin Ghumuqi), united the various tribes and peoples of this region to fight off the great Russian Bear for nearly 25 years. It is an epic tale of heroism and tragedy on a personal and cultural level, and will grip the reader as they follow the exploits and the battles that are still to this day legendary in the Caucuses.

As a student of Russian history, I must say that this book is the best I have ever read. It covers Russian cultural perspective as no book can, and brings into focus the tragedy of Chechynia and Daghestan like nothing else could. Nothing is a better source for understanding 19th and 20th century Russia.

This book reflects the chivalrous true side of the Chechens and their lifestyle