Shattering Empires

'Shattering Empires is a pioneering study that brilliantly illuminates the entangled crises of the Ottoman and Russian states. In this timely and well-written book, Reynolds skilfully shows how the confrontation between these two states contributed to the collapse of both empires and to the birth of a new kind of politics in the Middle East and the Caucasus.' Robert D. Crews, Stanford University 'Michael Reynolds has written an important and original book. He relates a complex story with remarkable clarity and admirable rigor. His balanced and nuanced account is based on wide research and is a major addition to the literature on Russian and Ottoman history, and to the history of the First World War.' Peter Holquist, University of Pennsylvania 'Michael Reynolds combines a deep understanding of Russia and Turkey to produce an outstanding book that illuminates both historical and contemporary questions.' Stephen Rosen, Harvard University 'A first-class work of history ... an impressively clear and highly original account of the complex events in the Russian and Ottoman empires ...' Financial Times 'Shattering Empires is a fine book ... it makes a valuable contribution not only to the history of Russian-Ottoman relations but also to our understanding of the intersection of nationalism and geopolitics in the age of imperial downfall.' Times Literary Supplement '... impressive and original ... [Reynolds] is particularly good on the Ottoman deportations and massacres of Armenians in 1915.' Financial Times 'This fine, provocative book asks important questions: about the alleged anachronistic nature of empires; about nationalism as a driving force to explain the modern historical narrative; about the quest for security and its costs and consequences. It deserves a wide and serious reading.' The Journal of Military History