This work chronicles the history of 300 enduring years of conflict between Russia and Chechnya. In its modern form, this conflict coincides with the breakup of the Soviet Union. However, the overall history of the continual unrest is much longer than the post-Soviet era, and readers are provided with an excellent chronology and introduction to the problems, their aftermath, and various reasons for the longevity of the conflict. The explications by Askerov are insightful, and contrast in great part with what most people may have read in the papers or heard in television news accounts. This is not a new conflict brought about by the breakup of the former Soviet Union, but Russia's ongoing struggle for control of the area and Chechnya's quest to be free from Russia by whatever means. The author offers the reader an A-Z list of the people, places, and terms that are important to understanding factors underlying the drawn-out conflict. Supplying more than 500 cross-referenced entries, the author covers this conflict from numerous aspects. The volume offers an extensive bibliography for those wishing to delve deeper into the subject. Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduates and above.