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Review
'Well-written, succinct, accessible, analytical, objective and balanced - this is one of the best introductions to the history of modern Afghanistan available to the general public.' --Baqer Moin, Head of the Persian Service, BBC
'This is a magisterial study of the troubled nation, from the accession of the Iron Amir in 1889 up to the Taliban, the war of the winter of 2001-02, and search for a new state structure thereafter.' --History Today
'Excellent - a veritable textbook, and a reference source for anyone interested in Afghanistan' --Dr. Thomas Withington, Jane's Intelligence Review and King's College, London
'This is a magisterial study of the troubled nation, from the accession of the Iron Amir in 1889 up to the Taliban, the war of the winter of 2001-02, and search for a new state structure thereafter.' --History Today
'Excellent - a veritable textbook, and a reference source for anyone interested in Afghanistan' --Dr. Thomas Withington, Jane's Intelligence Review and King's College, London
Product Description
Afghanistan dominates the news today, as it often did during the Soviet occupation two decades ago. But even in the 19th and early 20th centuries at the height of the Great Game, Afghanistan was the focal point of East-West relations. Squeezed between Russia, China, India and Persia, its tortured history provides an extraordinary glimpse into the patterns of world politics. Today, Afghanistan sits at the pivot of a region where a new Great Game is taking shape, pitched between America, its rivals and the peoples of Central Asia. 'Rasanayagam's work connects a difficult past with a difficult present in order to extract necessary lessons for the future. He presents a complex history, which will be understood by the general reader, drawing attention to a large range of issues in the contemporary world.' - Zahir Tanin, Producer for the Eurasian Region, BBC
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First Sentence
When Abdur Rahman was recognized as Amir of Afghanistan by the British in 1880 he had spent 11 years in exile in Samarkand and Tashkent, living on a generous stipend from the governor-general and commander of the Russian forces in Central Asia, General K. von Kaufman. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
When Abdur Rahman was recognized as Amir of Afghanistan by the British in 1880 he had spent 11 years in exile in Samarkand and Tashkent, living on a generous stipend from the governor-general and commander of the Russian forces in Central Asia, General K. von Kaufman. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A. Rasanayagam's book, although a work of considerable scholarship, reads like a novel. It is packed with the kind of relevant detail that gives coherence to the events and episodes described by putting them in context.As an example, the rivalries and fears of two expanding empires,Russia and Britain, resulted in the creation of Afghanistan as a buffer state in Central Asia. Another insight is given in the chapter on the prelude to the Soviet invasion, based on transcripts of the Soviet Politburo, casting doubts on the widely accepted idea that this act was just another blatant manifestation of Soviet expansionist aims.
The book is well-written and well organized, with a chronologically-arranged narrative structure that makes it an easy read.Each chapter is practically free-standing so the reader does not have to refer back to earlier chapters.
This book gives invaluable insights on a country very much on the headlines to any reader interested in world affairs, as much of what is described is of great contemporary relevance.
The book is well-written and well organized, with a chronologically-arranged narrative structure that makes it an easy read.Each chapter is practically free-standing so the reader does not have to refer back to earlier chapters.
This book gives invaluable insights on a country very much on the headlines to any reader interested in world affairs, as much of what is described is of great contemporary relevance.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a book on Afghanistan's modern history, rightly starting with the 'Iron Amir' Abdurrahman Khan who was the first to introduce - on a very modest scale, naturally - some modern institutions in Afghanistan. You should not expect any particular insgihts or discoveries in this book; it's main advantage is a clear style and a balanced approach. The author managed to describe the 'communist' period (1978-1993) without ideological stereotypes and labels, telling not only about the negative but also positive developments at that time. Interestingly, as the time passes, the Karzai government seems to be borrowing more and more from Najibullah's (the last communist President's) political arsenal, the latest example being establisgment of local self-defense forces at the village-district level. In a nutshell, if you want to get a balanced idea of the past 100 years plus of Afghan history written in an accessible and clear language - this is your book.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Detailed but Insightful
5 Mar 2004
Format:Hardcover
A very good book that helps to explain Afghanistan’s present situation by describing the conflicts and power struggles of the past. It is hard to keep track of all the names of Afghani warlords and tribal leaders but I do not fault the author for this. The devastation caused as a result of super power struggles during the Cold War is made abundantly clear. The book demonstrates how little loyalty Afghan leaders and family have toward each other. The book describes a level of suffering that is hard for North American’s to imagine. Unfortunately if the past is any indication the future, does not look bright for Afghanistan. One of the clear themes of the book is how the complex Afghanistan political and ethnic situations defy simple solutions. I was impressed by the author’s unbiased approach and his insightful predictions. His suggestions to reduce future violence are novel and very thought provoking.
2 of 9 people found the following review helpful
A general preview - yeah right !
12 Mar 2004
Format:Hardcover
Well ... this is not a bad book! If you want to learn something about the 19th century or early 20th century Afghanistan.
On the other hand, if u need fresh info, and think "Well look at this book, it was printed in May 2003! So it must be current and cover things up to ... hmmm ... beginning of 2003 ??" And that is a mistake ... up to about 2000. or 2001. is OK, but then it starts talking not of Afghanistan but all the popular stuff ... drugs, Osama, 9/11 ... just no Afghanistan!
That is a BIG minus in my world!
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