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Synopsis
This book is a record of the author's experiences during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. He lived and travelled with the Russian soldiers, went into combat with them and shared the terror, helplessness and despair of waging war in a foreign land against an unseen enemy for unclear purposes. The book also explains how and why Russian troops went into Afghanistan. It describes the drug problems, criminal behaviour and psychiatric disorders prevalent among veterans and concludes with an account of the Russian withdrawal and its aftermath.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Exactly how much time passes from the moment a man is wounded until he starts to feel the pain? Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Exactly how much time passes from the moment a man is wounded until he starts to feel the pain? Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was an excellent account of what life was like for the Soviet Soldiers fighting in Afghanistan in the late nineteen eighties. The book is written between two tours of the country in 1987 and 1989 and it gives a fascinating insight into the operations and tactics of the Soviet Army and Mujaheddin fighters. It's well written and beautifully descriptive of Afghanistan its people and climate.
The author documents the thoughts, of not just ordinary Russian soldiers but of their senior field commanders, all of who talk candidly of the worsening situation and the inability to win the hearts and minds of the local population. In one Candid interview with an Afghan Colonel the future of the Soviet withdrawal and the ensuing infighting between the Mujaheddin is predicted well in advance of the actual events.
However whilst I enjoyed the book immensely I thought that some of the original fluency has been lost in the translation from Russian to English, and the reader is taken too quickly from situation to situation or place to place without a great deal of explanation. This can be confusing but shouldn't be allowed to ruin the book.
Overall the book is a real soldier's tale and gives you a great insight into the mindset of combat soldiers serving in a foreign country, in a war they don't believe in, with an enemy they can't see. A cautionary tale for any superpower or occupying force that believes they are invulnerable. I would recommend anyone with an interest in the demise of the Soviet Union, Afghanistan, the roots of modern day extremism to read it.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The author provides a unique insider's view of the (extreme) conditions the Soviet forces fighting the war Afghanistan were facing, and how they tried to deal with these conditions.
Recommended to anyone who wants to learn and understand what counter insurgency warfare in Afghanistan (then and now) was/is about.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a real interesting read and puts over the Russian point of view during the Russian occupation of Afghanistan.
Reading it though, you find yourself 'smilingm and shaking oyur head' as many times you can insert Americans/ISAF instead of 'Russians'. Sad.
Although interesting, it does drone on a bit and I found myself skipping some pages.
Well worth the read in conjunction woith other Afghan books.
A must for military analysists.
Reading it though, you find yourself 'smilingm and shaking oyur head' as many times you can insert Americans/ISAF instead of 'Russians'. Sad.
Although interesting, it does drone on a bit and I found myself skipping some pages.
Well worth the read in conjunction woith other Afghan books.
A must for military analysists.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent first hand account of the Soviet war in Afghanistan
Borovik had two tours of duty as a journalist in Afghanistan, in 1987 and 1989 - this is the first hand account of his encounters with Soviet soldiers and officers during the... Read more
Published on 16 April 2010 by AK
Russians are sentimental and boring sometimes
...and this book is a good example of their tedious ramblings. Maybe it's the translation?? Anyway, don't bother with this book.
Published on 8 Oct 2009 by Anidroc
A GREAT READ
As a starting point in understanding the Soviet-Afghan war; one can do no worse than read this book. Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2008 by Ratboyslim32
An excellent insight into the Soviet War in Afghanistan
This book was an excellent account of what life was like for the Soviet Soldiers fighting in Afghanistan in the late nineteen eighties. Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2003 by Duncan Smith
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