The Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan, carved in the sixth century AD, represented two aspects of the Buddha, universal and historical. In March 2001 the Taliban destroyed them. They were massive, 55m and 38m tall, hewn out of the solid rock face and it took weeks to bring them down. The Buddhas have a remarkable story to tell, from their creation at a time when Greek culture left behind by conquest influenced Buddhism to their role in the lead up to the destruction of two other colossi from a different era in New York in that same year. A book about the Buddhas is also a book about Bamiyan, a place that occupies one of the most strategic positions on earth and is also stunningly beautiful. And about the remarkable Hazara people who live in that valley and have played a central historical role in the history of the whole region. It is rare that a historical account of an extraordinary monument can also be of urgent contemporary relevance.
The Buddhas of Bamiyan (Wonders of the World)
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Review
'Written with enthusiasm' -- The Times
'The latest addition to Profile's brilliant Wonders of the World series ... tells the fascinating story of these figures ... He begins with their ignominious end and recounts western responses to them, their construction and the wealth and importance of Bamiyan to have been able to create such structures.' -- Financial Times
'Morgan has done what no others have been able to do, including UNESCO, Japan, and Switzerland, who have all pledged to rebuild the Buddhas. He brings them to life, again, and let them tell their tales, still etched in stone, words in air.' -- The Daily Beast
'Morgan tells an exemplary tale- of violence and tranquillity, survival and loss, ownership and iconoclasm.' -- TLS
'In The Buddhas of Bamiyan, Llewelyn Morgan ... explores not so much the heartbreaking demise of the statues as their remarkably long lives ... The story of Bamiyan, Morgan suggests, is really the story of Afghanistan itself.' --Guardian
'the latest addition to Profile's brilliant Wonders of the World series ... tells the fascinating story of these figures ... He begins with their ignominious end and recounts western responses to them, their construction and the wealth and importance of Bamiyan to have been able to create such structures.' Financial Times
--Financial Times
'The latest addition to Profile's brilliant Wonders of the World series ... tells the fascinating story of these figures ... He begins with their ignominious end and recounts western responses to them, their construction and the wealth and importance of Bamiyan to have been able to create such structures.' -- Financial Times
'Morgan has done what no others have been able to do, including UNESCO, Japan, and Switzerland, who have all pledged to rebuild the Buddhas. He brings them to life, again, and let them tell their tales, still etched in stone, words in air.' -- The Daily Beast
'Morgan tells an exemplary tale- of violence and tranquillity, survival and loss, ownership and iconoclasm.' -- TLS
'In The Buddhas of Bamiyan, Llewelyn Morgan ... explores not so much the heartbreaking demise of the statues as their remarkably long lives ... The story of Bamiyan, Morgan suggests, is really the story of Afghanistan itself.' --Guardian
'the latest addition to Profile's brilliant Wonders of the World series ... tells the fascinating story of these figures ... He begins with their ignominious end and recounts western responses to them, their construction and the wealth and importance of Bamiyan to have been able to create such structures.' Financial Times
--Financial Times
Book Description
The 'other' decimated twin Wonders of the World and the tragic country of Afghanistan
Inside This Book
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Caro9898
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Buddhas of Bamiyan is a beautifully written, heartfelt eulogy to these astonishing monuments. Carved into an Afghan cliff face 1400 years ago, the Buddhas were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. Morgan's book tells their story and, through it, the messy, complicated story of Afghanistan. He takes the reader from the peaceful seventh century Buddhist kingdom of Bamiyan to the confusion and fear of the modern, war torn country.
Morgan has a clear, accessible style. His extensive and detailed research is obvious as the book contains new material and previously unpublished photgraphs.
Nobody will ever see these monuments again, but this book is undoubtedly the next best thing. Morgan has recaptured what he could of the essence, history and atmosphere of the Buddhas of Bamiyan and by doing so he has given them a meaning and significance that will hopefully outlast their Taliban destroyers.
Morgan has a clear, accessible style. His extensive and detailed research is obvious as the book contains new material and previously unpublished photgraphs.
Nobody will ever see these monuments again, but this book is undoubtedly the next best thing. Morgan has recaptured what he could of the essence, history and atmosphere of the Buddhas of Bamiyan and by doing so he has given them a meaning and significance that will hopefully outlast their Taliban destroyers.
By Jeannie
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is an intriguing and beautifully written book which looks at the history and religion of Afghanistan over the last 1500-odd years. I bought it on impulse, and have been delighted with my choice, as the breadth of the book's scope takes the reader on a journey through both landscape and time. Definitely to be recommended!
By Angus
Format:Hardcover
If you work in Afghanistan or intend to visit - or you are just interested -this is a fabulous book that explains one of Afghanistans must famous places
Morgan gives us a glimpse into a fascinating past and describes the setting and context of the Buddhas of Bamiyan in a way that pulls the reader on and into the depths of history
Whilst Morgan descrbes an ancient story he brings it right up to date opening with the tragic destruction of the Buddhas and some keen insight into why some elements of Afghan society come to have such poor regard for the ancient history of their country -
The reader will be constantly surprised by this concise book - one for the Christmas stocking of anyone interested in Afghanistan beyond the clatter of machine gun fire
Morgan gives us a glimpse into a fascinating past and describes the setting and context of the Buddhas of Bamiyan in a way that pulls the reader on and into the depths of history
Whilst Morgan descrbes an ancient story he brings it right up to date opening with the tragic destruction of the Buddhas and some keen insight into why some elements of Afghan society come to have such poor regard for the ancient history of their country -
The reader will be constantly surprised by this concise book - one for the Christmas stocking of anyone interested in Afghanistan beyond the clatter of machine gun fire
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
ok reading
If you want to know about the giant Buddha statues destroyed by the Talibans and the historical context this is ok. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Max Deeg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intriguing in its insights, wide-ranging in its scope
Resisting the temptation to entitle this review "I can't believe it's not Buddha", I have to confess that I didn't come to this book as a historian, a student of Buddhism or... Read more
Published 11 months ago by ajvs
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