- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Andre Deutsch Ltd; Updated edition (2 April 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0233002758
- ISBN-13: 978-0233002750
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13.2 x 1.9 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 231,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
John Griffiths delves into the history, culture, social fabric, internal politics and economy of this intriguing and backward country. He reveals a nation living in the shadow of perpetual conflict: from the early incursions: Persian, Greek, Hun Mongol, through the Russian invasion and subsequent withdrawal, to the rise of the Taliban and the resulting international crisis which led to the War on Terror and the ongoing Allied occupation of the country.Set against Afghanistan's deep-rooted religious, ethnic and social divisions and the more recent bitter civil war that left as many as 2 million Afghans dead and over 6 million homeless, Griffiths examines the political situation, in particular the role of the Taliban - who controlled approximately 90 percent of the country before the war - under their fanatical and reclusive leader. He analyses their stance on minority groups, the importance of Islam, the place of women in Taliban society, their views on education and their support for the Islamic fundamentalist Osama bin Laden.He also discusses the difficulties that the West have and will continue to face when attempting to impose law and order on a country which has as its core a collection of diverse, independent and proud peoples, and stresses the importance of ultimately creating stability in what is becoming a vitally important strategic and political flashpoint. Fully updated, "Afghanistan: Land of Conflict and Beauty" provides an insightful and informative account of a country trapped between the middle ages and the twentieth-first century.
About the Author
John C. Griffiths is a journalist who writes for numerous newspapers including The Telegraph, the Financial Times and the Sunday Times. He has written 12 books (four about Afghanistan), and has visited virtually every part of Afghanistan including the remote north-east. He is also a broadcaster, businessman and politician. He lives in Hertfordshire.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Among the plethora of publications concerning Afghanistan and the recent events there the author uses his own background to update a book he wrote in 1981 to set these occurrences in an historical context. Following a summary of the history of the Afghan people and the region, he is able to cover the period of the Russian invasion, the subsequent civil war between factions of the mujehadin, and the rise of the Taliban, relating these events to invasions seen throughout the history of the area. As a reader with an interest in Afghanistan this historical context was very useful, and his 'Inconclusive Conclusions' gives some constructive comments which may lead to a way forward following the 'war on terrorism'. Anyone wishing to understand more of the background of this area and the conflicts which have recently afflicted then people who live there, would do well to use this as an introduction and a foundation for further reading.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
John Griffiths has produced an outstanding window into Afghanistan and its contant rivalries and tensions. And that's the key word - constant
For a country which most of us in the West will know, the majority (including myself) will probably not know much of the country's history. Whilst the section of the current conflict could have been larger, I think this book would provide most readers with a very good starting point from which to understand the Afghan people - and particularly to realise that the current conflict appears to be simply another chapter in Afghanistan's turbulent history.
The lesson from this book is any outside agency looking to control or dictate to the Afghan people is in for a hard time. I shall be reading more about Afghanistan from now on.
For a country which most of us in the West will know, the majority (including myself) will probably not know much of the country's history. Whilst the section of the current conflict could have been larger, I think this book would provide most readers with a very good starting point from which to understand the Afghan people - and particularly to realise that the current conflict appears to be simply another chapter in Afghanistan's turbulent history.
The lesson from this book is any outside agency looking to control or dictate to the Afghan people is in for a hard time. I shall be reading more about Afghanistan from now on.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An excellent book. A little bit wordy and condescending in parts but certainly a worthwhile read if you are interested in Afghanistan and the historical background to its troubles.
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