“The book will appeal to a wide range of readers including those with a general interest in Central Asian politics. ... The book is rich on context; it offers less when it comes to theoretical discussions about nation‐state and state‐building. ... the book will be a relevant read for those interested in studying Soviet policies and governance in post‐Soviet states.” (Javeed Ahwar, Journal of Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics & Society, JSPPS, Vol. 6 (2), 2020)