Clearly and engagingly written, Kudaibergenova's book balances its elite focus with a sprinkling of ethnographic set pieces from the field and a chapter examining how elite efforts are received among the Latvian and Kazakhstani publics. . . . Her approach is a useful one for political scientists to add to their toolbag as they continue to probe how the nation shapes politics in states around the world.-- "Eurasian Geography and Economics"
Diana Kudaibergenova offers us a powerful analysis in nation-building processes after the collapse of the Soviet Union, comparing the trajectories of Latvia and Kazakhstan. By looking at the interrelation between power and nationhood, she highlights the complex articulations between the nature of political regimes and ideological choices related to constructing the nation. A must-read for all those following the post-Soviet nationalizing regimes and their evolution over time and space.--Marlene Laruelle, George Washington University