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Azerbaycan Günlüğü
“Goltz’un petrolcülerin, casusların, İslamcı militanların, paralı askerlerin ve yozlaşmış politikacıların güç ve iktidar için mücadele ettiği her an patlamaya hazır bir bölgede bağımsız muhabir olarak geçirdiği altı yılın öyküsü, John le Carré ile Hunter S. Thompson karışımı bir anlatıyı andırıyor.”
- The New York Times -
“Her muhabir tarih yazılırken tanıklık etmenin nasıl bir duygu olduğunu anlatan bir kitap yazmanın hayalini kurar. Thomas Goltz’un yaptığı da tam olarak bu... Öyküsü, olayların özünün en alt basamağından ayrıntılı bir manzara.”
- The Wall Street Journal -
“Sadece bir macera olarak bile başlı başına sürükleyici bir anlatı bu, fakat Goltz bağımsızlık sonrası Bakü’nün yoksulluğundan Ermenistan ve Dağlık Karabağ’la yaşa- nan düzensiz savaşa kadar çeşitli konulara değindiğin- den akademik ilgileri olanlar da faydalanacaktır... Kesin- likle tavsiye ediyoruz.”
- Library Journal -
“Varlık mücadelesi veren cumhuriyetin doğum sancıları nın yüksek tempolu, ilk ağızdan öyküsü.”
- Publisher Weekly -
“Goltz kendisini –ve okurlarını– siyasetin, entrikaların, yolsuzlukların ve savaşın dünyasına sokabilme yeteneği- ne sahip, ki bunun sonucu sadece modern uluslaşma süreçleri üzerine ilgi çekici bir okuma değil aynı zaman- da sürükleyici bir dram.”
- Forbes Online -
“Azerbaycan Günlüğü’nün konunun meraklıları, akade- misyenler, CIA ajanları ve haberi yakalamak için ölümle burun buruna gelmekten kaçınmayan, tehlike bağımlısı röntgencilerden oluşan müstesna gazeteci kadrosu için Goltz’un kullandığı deyimle ‘bilgi hücum kıtaları’ arasın- da bir kült hit olduğu söyleniyor... (Fakat) bizzat Goltz, bu konuyla özel olarak ilgilenmeyenlerin tuhaf isimlere boş vermelerini ve öyküsünü yalnızca çok uzak toprak- larda yaşanan bir macera olarak ele almalarını öneriyor. Tavsiyesine uyun ve bu kitabı okuyun.”
- Brill’s Content -
- The New York Times -
“Her muhabir tarih yazılırken tanıklık etmenin nasıl bir duygu olduğunu anlatan bir kitap yazmanın hayalini kurar. Thomas Goltz’un yaptığı da tam olarak bu... Öyküsü, olayların özünün en alt basamağından ayrıntılı bir manzara.”
- The Wall Street Journal -
“Sadece bir macera olarak bile başlı başına sürükleyici bir anlatı bu, fakat Goltz bağımsızlık sonrası Bakü’nün yoksulluğundan Ermenistan ve Dağlık Karabağ’la yaşa- nan düzensiz savaşa kadar çeşitli konulara değindiğin- den akademik ilgileri olanlar da faydalanacaktır... Kesin- likle tavsiye ediyoruz.”
- Library Journal -
“Varlık mücadelesi veren cumhuriyetin doğum sancıları nın yüksek tempolu, ilk ağızdan öyküsü.”
- Publisher Weekly -
“Goltz kendisini –ve okurlarını– siyasetin, entrikaların, yolsuzlukların ve savaşın dünyasına sokabilme yeteneği- ne sahip, ki bunun sonucu sadece modern uluslaşma süreçleri üzerine ilgi çekici bir okuma değil aynı zaman- da sürükleyici bir dram.”
- Forbes Online -
“Azerbaycan Günlüğü’nün konunun meraklıları, akade- misyenler, CIA ajanları ve haberi yakalamak için ölümle burun buruna gelmekten kaçınmayan, tehlike bağımlısı röntgencilerden oluşan müstesna gazeteci kadrosu için Goltz’un kullandığı deyimle ‘bilgi hücum kıtaları’ arasın- da bir kült hit olduğu söyleniyor... (Fakat) bizzat Goltz, bu konuyla özel olarak ilgilenmeyenlerin tuhaf isimlere boş vermelerini ve öyküsünü yalnızca çok uzak toprak- larda yaşanan bir macera olarak ele almalarını öneriyor. Tavsiyesine uyun ve bu kitabı okuyun.”
- Brill’s Content -
596 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
23 people are currently reading
770 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Goltz
14 books14 followersThomas Goltz (October 11, 1954 – July 29, 2023) was an American author and journalist best known for his accounts of conflict in the Caucasus region during the 1990s.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 8, 2015
My review is not unbiased as I am Thomas' brother. However, I strongly recommend reading his 3 "diaries" if you have an interest in post-Soviet Central Asia!
July 14, 2010
I met the author while watching the World Cup in Azerbaijan at a German restaurant. He was downing the vodka and we were engaged in a religious discussion. He is atheist and a difficult one. Nothing more to be said.
I had this book already as it was recommended by a friend when I moved to Azerbaijan, but never picked it up until after meeting such an interesting person. I jumped to the chapter about Khojaly and was immediately engaged in the eyewitness story that he experienced for himself. I had only previously learned about the tragedy from 2nd hand sources, my students, who were advocating for justice for the massacred. I read a few chapters that night and although not a huge fan of the author as a person, I respect him for having the guts to write the first-hand account of a very real and scary ordeal. I will pick up the rest of the book to read more.
I had this book already as it was recommended by a friend when I moved to Azerbaijan, but never picked it up until after meeting such an interesting person. I jumped to the chapter about Khojaly and was immediately engaged in the eyewitness story that he experienced for himself. I had only previously learned about the tragedy from 2nd hand sources, my students, who were advocating for justice for the massacred. I read a few chapters that night and although not a huge fan of the author as a person, I respect him for having the guts to write the first-hand account of a very real and scary ordeal. I will pick up the rest of the book to read more.
March 5, 2017
I picked up this book merely because I was born in Azerbaijan but left with my family at the age of 11. I've always been curious about the history of the country but found it difficult to find unbiased, well-written accounts. Thomas Goltz's book gave a fascinating snapshot into the Azerbaijan I was born into - right after the fall of Soviet Union as country tried to find itself while being ignored by the international community. This is a great adventure, political and historical novel. Goltz highlights both the injustice that the country faces and also the mistakes which are made internally. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about post-Soviet Azerbaijan, this book is tough to put down once you're picked it up.
June 15, 2022
Çox nadir hallarda müəlliflə görüşməyi arzulayaram. Bu kitab məhz o oldu. Müəllifə vuruldum. Səmimliyinə, düzgünlüyünə, müharibə haqqında hər şeyi yaza bildiyinə görə. O dövrdə böyümüşəm, xaos övladıyam. Thomasın belə işi görməsi müqabilində bu dadda roman yazılmalıdı. Bəlkə onda haqqını vermiş olaram. Tərcümə edənlərə minnətdaram. Böyük iş görülüb.
December 25, 2020
This is not just a diary dedicated to the internal struggles of the oil-rich Post-Soviet country and its war with foreign enemies. This is a reflection of the tears shed for human tragedy. This is the grief of a man in Kalbajar who desperately does not want to leave his personal library to the occupiers. This is the story of Alif Hajiyev, who fought alone with his team in Khojaly to the last drop of blood. This is a comparison of contradictions - It is a written history of people walking carelessly in the city during tragic battles on the front and "crocodiles" fighting for a seat in parliament. Thank you, Thomas Goltz, not only because you are a person who has managed to write the history of modern Azerbaijan, but also because you have been able to glorifies human morality over war and conflict!
March 1, 2020
A good book for those who are interested in Azerbaijan's early struggles with independence, as well as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The author seems to be mostly politically neutral in local political matters of Azerbaijan and successfully describes the situation under three different presidents: Mutallibov, Elchibay and Aliyev. He has journeyed several times to the conflict zone and is able to provide a clear picture of the harsh realities of the Karabakh Conflict.
My only negative comment about the book is that at certain points it does not cover some of the most important events in detail, such as the coup attempt of the Huseynov and how it was actually prevented.
My only negative comment about the book is that at certain points it does not cover some of the most important events in detail, such as the coup attempt of the Huseynov and how it was actually prevented.
July 27, 2017
Presents a very one-sided account of the Karabakh conflict. I am curious why the author did not mention any of the massacres against the Armenian civilians such as the Maragha massacre. The indiscriminate shelling of the civilians in Stepanakert is mentioned only perfunctorily.
March 3, 2022
A long read but a very insightful dip into the wildly unknown Azerbaijan. Really interesting accounts of destruction, rebuild and power play.
Mostly a real-life political thriller and the uprising - for better or worse - of Heydar Aliyev in the 90s and the fallout of the USSR dissolving.
Would love to read more by Goltz, if it weren’t so damn expensive!
8/10
Mostly a real-life political thriller and the uprising - for better or worse - of Heydar Aliyev in the 90s and the fallout of the USSR dissolving.
Would love to read more by Goltz, if it weren’t so damn expensive!
8/10
February 25, 2018
Very biased, somewhat megalomaniacal, yet interesting read.
November 3, 2007
I "borrowed" this permanently from an old friend before I went to Azerbaijan and it was one of the few sources of modern Azeri history I could find. There just isn't a whole lot out there about this part of the world and it provides some context for what is happening in this part of the world.
January 16, 2019
Amazing book!
August 24, 2023
Hər bir azərbaycanlının oxumalı olduğu bir kitabdı deyə bilərəm.
Təşəkkürlər, cənab Qolts.
Təşəkkürlər, cənab Qolts.
September 7, 2024
Yazarın kendi ajandası, Anti-Rus, Anti-Komünist ve Anti-Ermeni tavrına rağmen dönemin siyasi denklemini başarılı bir şekilde yansıttığını düşünüyorum. Aliyev, Halk Cephesi, Eski Komünistler, Rusya, ABD, Türkiye, İran, dev petrol şirketleri, lokal milisler, paralı askerler arasında dönen bir "taht oyunları" anlatısı olarak okumak da ayrı keyifli.
January 5, 2024
I love all of Goltz’s work and this one as well. However, it would have benefited from an editor that was brave enough to streamline the writing.
January 19, 2024
One of the best books i've read in my life (out of thousands, a lot about Ussr).
First, Goltz seems to understand very well both the "Oriental" (Ottoman) and the (post)Soviet mind. Quite different universes, both rarely understood by Westerners (even famous ones like Galeotti).
Second, i loved his tongue-in-the-cheek sense of humor, present throughout the book (a book about dark times, not to forget).
Third, his journalist writing is excellent: to the point, yet highly descriptive in few words. Even so, there are scenes excellently writer-style written - memorable and often tear-provoking.
And fourth: it is very captivating - so captivating that I'm praising it, even though (always and forever) myself being a pro-Armenian (hint: the book is from the Azeri - enemy's - perspective).
Will look for his other war diaries (Georgia and Chechnia) immediatly!
First, Goltz seems to understand very well both the "Oriental" (Ottoman) and the (post)Soviet mind. Quite different universes, both rarely understood by Westerners (even famous ones like Galeotti).
Second, i loved his tongue-in-the-cheek sense of humor, present throughout the book (a book about dark times, not to forget).
Third, his journalist writing is excellent: to the point, yet highly descriptive in few words. Even so, there are scenes excellently writer-style written - memorable and often tear-provoking.
And fourth: it is very captivating - so captivating that I'm praising it, even though (always and forever) myself being a pro-Armenian (hint: the book is from the Azeri - enemy's - perspective).
Will look for his other war diaries (Georgia and Chechnia) immediatly!
September 12, 2023
Imagine a man traveling War-torn, post Soviet Azerbaijan between 1991 and 1994 and throwing all of his first-hand experience/impressions into "diary".
He was in Aghdam when civilians fleeing to nearest Azerbaijani town Aghdam following Khojaly massacre. He was there seeing all those victims coming to the town
He had visited Khojaly, Shusha and many other parts of Karabakh before the first war
He had seen how Abulfaz Elchibey raised to the power, presidency
He was in Aghdare when Azerbaijani forces performing 1992 summer offensive in the North Karabakh ending up with nothing
He was in Kalbajar when all Azerbaijani people got caught between Armenian forces in the middle of winter and had only two ways out, one with first Omar passage at almost 3000 m height, then second way of going up with "birds" and transportation to Yevlakh
He went to Zangilan when it was about fall, and there was only one way out from Zangilan which was leaving everything behind and going to Iran. He visited there by crossing the invisible security line and moving up Araz valley toward Zangelan with USA defence attaché, and met Abbas Abbasov, deputy prime minister of Azerbaijan
He was in Aghdam when it was about to fall
He was in Nakhichevan in 1992, interviewing Heyder Aliyev when he had almost no control over Azerbaijan. And this happened just before Shusha fall in early May 1992
He was in Nakhichevan in 1991 too, just before the first Karabakh war broke out, tried to interview H. Aliyev, but he couldn`t achieve. He, then, left there with the last commercial airplan flying from Nakhichevan to Baku through Armenia
He was also in Baku when H. Aliyev raised to the presidency
He interviewed Abulfaz Elchibey in 1991 in the ruined school in Baku before he was elected as a president
He visited Armenia before Kalbajar was invaded, seen the people flied from Baku upon 1988 events
He was in the middle of 14-15 May 1992 coup, 1993 Ganja Uprising by Surat H.
Then, he had seen Surat H. getting caught after harshly criticized by the president
And he was in Chirag platform, when H. Aliyev took one of his famous photos pouting oil into his face
He had seen a lot, he had seen one of the most critical moments in Azerbaijan Republic history. Strongly recommend to read this great book.
Rest in Peace, Thomas!
He was in Aghdam when civilians fleeing to nearest Azerbaijani town Aghdam following Khojaly massacre. He was there seeing all those victims coming to the town
He had visited Khojaly, Shusha and many other parts of Karabakh before the first war
He had seen how Abulfaz Elchibey raised to the power, presidency
He was in Aghdare when Azerbaijani forces performing 1992 summer offensive in the North Karabakh ending up with nothing
He was in Kalbajar when all Azerbaijani people got caught between Armenian forces in the middle of winter and had only two ways out, one with first Omar passage at almost 3000 m height, then second way of going up with "birds" and transportation to Yevlakh
He went to Zangilan when it was about fall, and there was only one way out from Zangilan which was leaving everything behind and going to Iran. He visited there by crossing the invisible security line and moving up Araz valley toward Zangelan with USA defence attaché, and met Abbas Abbasov, deputy prime minister of Azerbaijan
He was in Aghdam when it was about to fall
He was in Nakhichevan in 1992, interviewing Heyder Aliyev when he had almost no control over Azerbaijan. And this happened just before Shusha fall in early May 1992
He was in Nakhichevan in 1991 too, just before the first Karabakh war broke out, tried to interview H. Aliyev, but he couldn`t achieve. He, then, left there with the last commercial airplan flying from Nakhichevan to Baku through Armenia
He was also in Baku when H. Aliyev raised to the presidency
He interviewed Abulfaz Elchibey in 1991 in the ruined school in Baku before he was elected as a president
He visited Armenia before Kalbajar was invaded, seen the people flied from Baku upon 1988 events
He was in the middle of 14-15 May 1992 coup, 1993 Ganja Uprising by Surat H.
Then, he had seen Surat H. getting caught after harshly criticized by the president
And he was in Chirag platform, when H. Aliyev took one of his famous photos pouting oil into his face
He had seen a lot, he had seen one of the most critical moments in Azerbaijan Republic history. Strongly recommend to read this great book.
Rest in Peace, Thomas!
September 21, 2021
World Book Tour #11: Azerbaijan
In my quest to read a book from every country, I struggled to find a good English-language candidate for Azerbaijan. I am very glad to have happened across this rambling but compelling account by Thomas Goltz, an American journalist who lived in-country for a handful of years in the early 90s. Goltz's Azerbaijan Diary charts, via first-hand account, the history of the fledgling independent country in the wake of the Soviet Union's collapse. I especially enjoyed Goltz's account of how various national figures charted the newfound political vacuum. Goltz charts the unlikely rise of Heydar Aliyev, an elderly former Soviet apparatchik, to the Azerbaijan presidency. (For the curious: Aliyev went on to helm Azerbaijan until his death and his son heads the country to this day.)
With that said, I think Goltz has some blind spots. Goltz's accounts are often wildly compelling (particularly his daring attempts to study first hand the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh between Armenia and Azerbaijan), but can veer into self-aggrandizing territory. And, on the note of the Karabakh conflict, Goltz's views on Armenia strain credulity. Goltz seeks to combat what he sees as an erroneous international consensus which heaps all of the blame for the atrocities in Karabakh on Azerbaijan by heaping all of the blame on Armenia. Surely neither view is correct. But Goltz never seeks to hide that Azerbaijan Diary is a deeply personal account and, if the reader is willing to take some portions with a grain of salt, it really is quite an engaging read.
In my quest to read a book from every country, I struggled to find a good English-language candidate for Azerbaijan. I am very glad to have happened across this rambling but compelling account by Thomas Goltz, an American journalist who lived in-country for a handful of years in the early 90s. Goltz's Azerbaijan Diary charts, via first-hand account, the history of the fledgling independent country in the wake of the Soviet Union's collapse. I especially enjoyed Goltz's account of how various national figures charted the newfound political vacuum. Goltz charts the unlikely rise of Heydar Aliyev, an elderly former Soviet apparatchik, to the Azerbaijan presidency. (For the curious: Aliyev went on to helm Azerbaijan until his death and his son heads the country to this day.)
With that said, I think Goltz has some blind spots. Goltz's accounts are often wildly compelling (particularly his daring attempts to study first hand the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh between Armenia and Azerbaijan), but can veer into self-aggrandizing territory. And, on the note of the Karabakh conflict, Goltz's views on Armenia strain credulity. Goltz seeks to combat what he sees as an erroneous international consensus which heaps all of the blame for the atrocities in Karabakh on Azerbaijan by heaping all of the blame on Armenia. Surely neither view is correct. But Goltz never seeks to hide that Azerbaijan Diary is a deeply personal account and, if the reader is willing to take some portions with a grain of salt, it really is quite an engaging read.
July 22, 2020
A very engaging read. Reminded me of John Reed’s Ten Days that Shook the World for first hand accounts, and eyewitness views, of the birth of modern Azerbaijan. Alas, as the author makes clear many times, these events neither shook nor even interested much of the world contemporaneously. I thought it was very informative and definitely drew me in. After I finished, I re-read the relevant chapters of Kapuscinski’s Imperium on Armenia and Azerbaijan for a very different view and style. For me, the book raises a number of questions in addition to all that I learned, largely because Goltz is so embedded into the Azerbaijani side.
August 3, 2018
A peasant born with a silver spoon by peasant standards discovers a world bigger than he can comprehend.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews