An insightful portrait of Turkmenistan, its people, traditions, history and current politics by the former Country Director for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Kropf, his diplomat wife and young daughter spent two years among the Turkmen, returning to the United States in the wake of 9/11. He writes with insight and wonder of the strange personality cult of the country's leader, the markets, bazaars, carpets and history of spies and secrets in this isolated, strategic corner of the world.  (CAS128, $26.00)