Goltz effectively conveys the absurdities and weirdness that was the former Soviet Union right after the Union's collapse. This in itself is no easy task. But Goltz also does an impressive job of weaving together his personal experiences with an analysis of Azeri politics. His personal narrative is kept within the greater context of the political events unfolding at the time, something Goltz's status as the first accredited foreign journalist in Azerbaijan undoubtedly helped. Goltz was a witness to many of the young republic's formative events, both public and private.

In his observations and analysis, Goltz combines a good eye for detail with a shrewd understanding of politics, and of human nature. Goltz does not let naive ideological commitments drive his depiction of events, a very common failing among journalists covering the former USSR. He avoids rigid assignment of black and white hats, preferring instead to show the actors as he sees them -- composites of good and bad traits. Thus the reader comes to understand Abulfez Elchibey as both an Azeri patriot and a less than competent leader surrounded by grasping underlings, and the current president Heydar Aliyev as a cunning and devious politico also surrounded by grasping underlings who has obtained a significant degree of stability for the embattled republic. Even as he eschews ideologically predetermined storylines in favor of complexity, Goltz's moral sense remains acute.

In the course of his years in Azerbaijan, Goltz witnessed a good deal of human tragedy and he has done a service in describing first-hand the plight of Azeri refugees, dead and living, at the hands of both the Armenian militias and their own government. Goltz clearly has a love for his fellow human beings, warts and all, and this allows him to find to find small moments of humor even as he describes the many injustices he has witnessed and the significant problems that lie ahead. His is a skillful balance of realism and hope. This is a riveting book, and is very highly recommended.


Brilliantly written and very objective!   July 13, 1999
 3 out of 6 found this review helpful

This book definitely deserves a special attention by anyone interested in history and modern politics in Caucasus region. The book stands out in its objectivity and professional coverage of a journalist who managed to take a deeper look into the conflict over Mountainous Qarabag.

The author skillfully depicts the crimes committed by Armenian Nazis against Azerbaijani population of Qarabag and Armenian Republic. He also reveals how these crimes and ethnic cleansing were hidden by Armenian propaganda machine. The book mentions several times the terrible nonsense of picturing the Armenian side as a "victim" of the conflict in mass media while the Armenian armed units supported by the Russian army destroyed hundreds of Azerbaijani villages, brutally massacred thousands of Azeri civilians and deported almost million people from their homes.

Now, when Armenia illegally occupies 20% of Azerbaijani territory, after Armenian "army" committed all kinds of hate crimes against Azerbaijani population ever know in history, this books must be even more appreciated by the interested public.


Captivating, informative, disturbing.   May 26, 1999
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

There are few heroes in Thomas Goltz's story of Azerbaijan's difficult birthing process, and his in-your-face record of the history of the new republic reveals much of the darker side of the human soul including, occasionally, his own. By his own description, Goltz doesn't suffer fools and - in his passionate, near obsessive pursuit of a truth that no one else seems to either see nor to care about - is an 'equal opportunity offender', nipping at the heels ( and other parts of the anatomy ) of Azeris, Armenians, Turks, Iranians,Russians and Americans, oil men, fellow journalists and his own editors.

Azerbaijan Diary succeeds as history, as analysis, as adventure. It should be required reading for politicians and policy makers, academics, oil executives and any young would-be journalists who wonder whether there are still any fact-driven , swashbuckling hacks out there in this largely electronic media age of underinformed talking heads. Meanwhile, Goltz should go wherever journalistic pit bulls go for a break and let someone turn this excellent book into a film script.


Excellent textbook on modern history   May 18, 1999
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

Mr. Goltz's book is a unique description of one of the modern ethnic conflicts that came to international attention after Bosnia. His first hand experience and interest in the region lets us learn and understand how noble ideas of national identification and independence can lead to so much tragedy and despair for people very little associated with politics or nationalistic movements.