‘A major contribution to the understanding of an ongoing tragedy . . . an ideal primer for anyone wanting to understand the origins and nature of the Chechen conflict.’

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‘Journalists . . . should not pretend to give an overview for which they have not done the work. For that they should rely on analysts who can claim perspective—such as Tony Wood’.

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‘Wood presents a closely argued legal case for independence . . . In the process, he gives us a brilliant short history.’

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‘As Wood makes clear, part of the tragedy is that Chechnya's people are screaming into silence.’

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‘Highly readable and informed . . . At last someone with serious intellectual credentials on the left has written a book length argument against the occupation.’

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‘A well-written tale of a complex history and struggle . . . An essential addition to the collection of anyone truly trying to understand the nature and history of independence movements in the Russian sphere of influence.’

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‘Wood . . . argues strongly against the idea that Chechnya was or is an outpost of international Islamic terrorism . . . He is right to highlight the Kremlin's cynicism, incompetence and casual brutality.’

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‘A welcome alternative to the standard view.’

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‘Wood provides . . . an indictment of Russian misrule over the region and a weight of evidence to suggest that only sovereignty will fully pacify its people.’

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‘Wood gives readers an excellent and concise summary of the long history of Chechen resistance.’

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‘How the book balances questions about independence and the human rights abuses makes for fascinating reading. . . The analysis is passionately argued and thoroughly researched.’

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