"The Abkhazians are an ancient Caucasian people living mainly on the eastern shores of the Black Sea in the shadow of the Great Caucasus Mountains. Across the centuries, cultures as diverse as the Ancient Greeks, Christianity and Islam have all left their mark without affecting the unique individuality of the Abkhazians." "With the publication of this book, which includes an entirely new interpretation of Abkhazia's union with Russia over the period from the 18th century to 1917, the relevant facts about Abkhazia have finally become accessible to the English-speaking world, who would thus be better placed to understand Abkhazian aspirations."--BOOK JACKET.