-Abazov provides an introduction for students and general readers to the culture and customs of Central Asian republics: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Coverage encompasses the land, people, language, history, and economy; thought and religion; folklore and literature, with attention to key individuals; media and cinema; performing and visual arts; architecture; gender, courtship, and marriage; and festivals and leisure activities. Elite life, ideology, and details of political structure and struggle are not discussed in favor of the life of common people. B&w photos are incorporated. —Reference & Research Book News

-[C]entral Asian culture remains relatively unknown to the West. The Culture and Customs of the Central Asian Republics provides a concise yet thorough overview of the region. The book is greatly enriched by Rafis Abazov's insider knowledge of dynamic changes in the post-independence era....Coverage includes thoughts and religions, folklore, literature, media, cinema, performing and visual arts, gender and marriage, festival and social customs. Evocative photos, a map, a chronology, and a glossary compliment the text; and the selected bibliography (resource guide), provides a resource for curious readers to conduct further studies. This is the best source for students and general readers to extensive insight into the jewel of Eurasia. —Central Asia Discovery