I like books, like this one, that I can dig into and find people, places and things (not to mention different ways of thinking and philosophies) to round out or enhance what the author writes about.
This book, for me, brought me more up-to-date on the how the different groups, communities and cities are modernizing beyond the old notions of nomadic tribal areas. Some yurts have modern amenities, they watch TV via satellite, they carry around tablets and cell phones, the children go to university. There are still improverished groups and areas, but now the picture of the whole area has changed for me. Oh, and the mining, it is more extensive than I thought. That shouldn't be a surprise, but I always had the notion that all the tribal factions and fighting, internal and external, kept modernization and mining to a minimum. The fractiousness of the area still holds their economies back, but not as much as I thought.
I wonder how extensive is the notion that the religious authorities are to blame for much of the poverty and backward thinking in these countries.
Thanks for sticking with it even though the discussion ended up being mostly just you and me , Barb.
Pat, I trusts you are improving daily. I assume you have to do some sort of physical therapy taking up your time for a little while yet. Hope to see you back up to speed soon.
