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October 4, 1999
Media Contact: Guy Lamolinara (202) 707-9217
Public Contact: Center for the Book (202) 707-5221

The Race for Empire in Central Asia To Be Discussed at the Library on November 2

The struggle for mastery of Central Asia from the 1820s to the present is the topic of the next book to be featured in the Center for the Book's "Books & Beyond" author series. Karl E. Meyer and Shareen Blair Brysac will discuss their new book, Tournament of Shadows: The Great Game and the Race for Empire in Central Asia (Counterpoint, 1999), at the Library at 6 p.m. on November 2, in the West Dining Room, sixth floor, James Madison Memorial Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E. The program is free and open to the public, and tickets are not required.

Tournament of Shadows is the result of five years of research and writing by its authors, who decided to write the book during a visit to the Khyber Pass in December 1990. In the introduction, Mr. Meyer explains that for many years he has been fascinated by "the original Great Game, the clandestine struggle between Russia and Britain for the mastery of Central Asia. Not only did its episodes teem with improbable drama, but the Game itself was a Victorian prologue to the Cold War."

A foreign affairs writer, Mr. Meyer has served as London bureau chief for The Washington Post, and in 1979-1998 was a member of The New York Times editorial board. His previous books have been on archaeology, the Cuban invasion (with Tad Szulc), and the newspaper column in America. Ms. Brysac, a former lead dancer in the companies of Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor and Jose Limon, also has been an award-winning producer/director/writer of prime-time documentaries for CBS. She is the author of a forthcoming book, Resisting Hitler: Mildred Harnack-Fish and the Red Orchestra (Oxford University Press).

Interpreting services (American Sign Language, Contact Signing, Oral and/or Tactile) will be provided if requested five business days in advance of the event. E-mail isp@loc.gov or call (202) 707-6362 TTY and voice to make a specific request. For other ADA accommodations, contact the Disability Employment office at (202) 707-9948 TTY and (202) 707-7544 voice.

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress was established in 1977 to stimulate public interest in books, reading, and libraries. For information about its activities, visit its Web site at www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook.

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PR 99-145
10/4/99
ISSN 0731-3527