Review of the hardback: 'Though the Qara Khitai or Western Liao have attracted a certain amount of research over the years, it is a great pleasure to welcome the first monograph in English devoted entirely to their history and culture. ... impressive ... this volume is surely bound to remain a key work on the Western Liao for many years to come. ... a major step forward in a number of ways, and will undoubtedly be recognized as such in the years to come.' Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies