"Caucasus: A Journey to the Land Between Christianity and Islam''

by Nicholas Griffin

(University of Chicago Press, 256 pages, $16)

A complicated book, a carefully sculpted book, a disturbing book (think kidnappings and beheadings), a darkly comic book. All these statements are true about British novelist Griffin's nonfiction account of his trek through the troubled tribal mountain regions between the Caspian and Black seas. Griffin skillfully weaves a then-and-now narrative, exploring parallels between a local 19th century Islamic guerrilla leader called Shamil and a late 20th century Islamic guerrilla leader in the same area who is also named Shamil. Along the way, he provides detailed travel signposts through this tumultuous region that none but the most resourceful should think about following just now.

Still, Griffin is lyrical: "The hills are dusted with wildflowers, specks colored like setting suns and harvest moons. The young man plucks the purple flowers and holds them to my nose. They smell of concentrated jasmine but have a mentholated purity about them. One deep inhalation is equal to a third lung. ''

Quell: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/11/14/TRG5Q9P30I1.DTL