Review Statements by Kazakh and Other Scholars
"In knowledge of the peoples of Central Asia, especially the Kazakhs, this work now being published is a piece of material which will not be found elsewhere. Its main ideas have been presented by the author to the public in a number of scholarly conferences in Kazakhstan and now in published form. ...This work of Charles Weller should not be received from one, narrow perspective. Drawing to the best of his ability on world experience, he has written the work in objective fashion. Therefore, even in times to come, I wish success for his labors in his purpose of making known nations to nations!"
- Garifolla Yesim, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science, Kazakh National (State) University
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"This is a work of top-level scholarship, I consider its release to the public a good and right thing!
-Burkitbai Ayagan, post-doctoral graduate of history, president of 'Kazakh Encyclopedia'
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"The historical and social importance of this book is immense. It will take a special place among the many books which have been published in the field of history and sociology in recent times. It elevates the status and level of the Kazakh nation and the right of statehood for the Kazakh people and produces confidence in the reader as to the ability (of Kazakhstan) to be placed alongside the states of Europe and Asia. This work needs to be made public and distributed widely in universities and other educational institutions. Without question it instructs people in love for (their) fatherland and ethnonational identity and reinforces confidence in the bright future of the Kazakh nation in accordance with a national policy that does not marginalize or offend the multiple ethnic groups living in Kazakhstan.
- Kadrahman Duisembin, Member, International Academy of Anthropology
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"Just as Shokan Ualihanov did in his time, Charles Weller strives to explain the Turkic civilization to the world with integrity and braveness."
- Tursin H. Gabitov, post-doctoral graduate and professor of philosophy and culture
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"The essence and uniqueness of this work is due to a great many things. First (with a view to the Kazakh version), a foreign American scholar knows how to drive home his thoughts and reflections in our State language, the Kazakh language. Second, he, together with the Kazakh people, genuinely sympathizes with the peoples of Central Asia and, with a view to the present and the future, puts forth the issue of defending their nationhood, making the effort to thoroughly analyze the problems involved. The author analyzes in comparative fashion the Marxist and Western modernist trends, elucidating how important they are for today's nation of Kazakhstan. There are sure grounds for evaluating his use of recent Western works alongside authors from Kazakhstan and Eastern Europe, and his putting of these together into circulation, as a new contribution to scholarship. This work, which stimulates a number of thoughts and which raises a number of essential issues, creates exceptional interest in the reader."
- Nagima Zh. Baitenova, post-doctoral graduate and professor of philosophy
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"This work immediately captures one's attention, displaying its importance and scholarly sharpness. ...When Weller emphasizes that the Kazakh people, who (historically) came to possess the wide-spacious steppe, still to this day have a historical, legal right to this land, you are left with the impression that one of the Kazakh's own genuine sons has written these things. This is not blind partiality, I know it to be his objectivity as a scholar, and even his cultural cordiality. ...I know him as a person helping to connect and forge the process of establishing dialogue and genuine mutual respect for one another between two nations, two cultures, two continents."
- Aktolkin T. Kulsarieva, PhD and associate professor of philosophy and culture
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"Charles Weller's work focuses upon one of the most vital issues that Kazakhstan is currently facing as a nation. Together with the sunny side of a nation which, after achieving independence, is pressing ahead on the road of democracy, it lays bare the shadowy aspects as well. ...he focuses his attention on the two imperatives of Western democracy, the separation of religion and state and the separation of ethnicity and state, giving primary attention to the latter. The issues raised by the author are crucial. It is the fruit of one who is a sympathetic, spiritual brother who wishes to come to the aid of defending the Kazakh (people's) ethnic-national identity through these kinds of his own works which critique those, including albeit a few citizens encountered on occasion in our own midst, who today look indifferently and apathetically upon the indigenous culture of the (Kazakh) ethnos. The author's own word testifies to this: 'it is (historically) self-evident that the Kazakh people hold a special place in the nation of Kazakhstan'."
- Ainur D. Kormanalieva, PhD and associate professor, Eastern and Islamic studies
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"When I first learned from Charles Weller about [the issues he addresses] I said, 'This concerns the destiny of an entire nation.' ...this work, In Defense of Kazakh and Central Asian Nationhood, is an exceedingly profitable study written by someone who has learned the Kazakh language, understood their heart and soul and who is (thus) able to give a sound, relevant answer to those in view. I have full confidence that the gratitude of the Kazakh people, whose quality is that of a peaceful people, and that of the other peoples who share their lot, will be apportioned to him. I am of the opinion that all scholars will do well to consult this work."
- Nursaule Rsalieva, PhD candidate and instructor of Linguistics and Translation Theory
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