Khazars were one of the many Turkic tribes at the time that held control of the western parts of today's Russia (steppe north of Black and Caspian sea). This is time when numerous similar tribes moved in the same region and fought one another, creating exoduses that were then more then felt in western parts of the Europe.

In this truly mixed pot of various people and nations Khazars came up as force to be reckon with during the 7th century. What made them very particular for the era (or in general very interesting at all no matter the era) is their conversion to Judaism. How and why this happened is not told, but as author states it is a reason why Khazars are hated in modern nationalistic talks in territories they once covered.

Being nomadic people they brought the use of cavalry (and especially heavy cavalry) to perfection. They also had used fortifications but these were either "inherited" from people they conquered or built by Khazars themselves - unfortunately not of the quality that would prove to be able to stop the Arabs or Byzantines who had great experience with sieges and military engineering.

Khazars fought the Arabs on the south borders, made alliances with the Byzantine empire and also fought border wars with them and finally got into conflict with the Varangians (Scandinavians) that ultimately spelled the doom for the Khazar Khaganate.

Very interesting book with lots of information - both historical and military about the Khazars. Due to its relative shortness not everything could be presented but it gives more than solid starting point for any further research.

Highly recommended. ( )

Very specialized book on the mysterious empire that lasted a brief time in the Middle Ages. ( )

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