Afghanistan: A History from 1260 to the Present

For a scholarly but very readable history of Afghanistan (from 1260 on), this is your book. A potential reader should be aware that a substantial part of the book, either because of the author's interest or because of the historical facts that were available to him, involves "The Great Game" between Great Britain and Russia. In any case, it's quite interesting.One criticism/observation. The author, in writing about the anti-Communist jihad, gives Ahmad Shah Massoud credit for being a highly successful commander, but doesn't go into much further detail about him. For the record, among other things, Massoud created havoc for the Soviets along their vital Salang Highway supply line and fought back 9 major Soviet/Afghan Communist incursions into the Panjshir Valley. The author graphically describes the many horrific crimes of revenge committed by the various Afghan rulers throughout history, but doesn't mention that Massoud had a well-documented reputation for mercy towards his enemies and prisoners. Westerners who knew Massoud, such as Olivier Roy, Sandy Gall, Edward Girardet and Michael Barry, have all spoken about Massoud's character, as has Arab Abdullah Anas, son in law of Abdullah Azzam, who spent 3 years with him. I met Massoud myself, in Takhar Province, 1991, while photographing the war, and was impressed. These omissions are perhaps quite understandable in a history that covers hundreds of years, but when the author manages to find the space to include what appears to be a toss off, sarcastic comment about "the cult of Massoud" in a caption, well, it grates a bit. And justifiably so, in my opinion. The simple fact of the matter is that, unlike many well-known historical figures, Afghan or otherwise, Massoud was not only an amazing fighter, but a good man. In my observation.

Great book.

I've gifted this tome to a well educated Afghan expatriate, whose extensive involvement in mid last century Afghan politics, diplomacy, with personal familiarity of the major players. He's impressed with the research behind this text, and has invited a wide circle of invested friends to join him in reading, and discussing this history.So far he's enthusiastic about its development, suggesting this is the best one volume history he's encountered to date.

Overall I was satisfied with the book, I was a bit disappointed when some minor details were not included, for example the author did not mention Shah Shuja's sadistic temperament as he would mutilate his servants body parts when they'd fail to please him in certain tasks. There were also other minor historical details that were not included, however overall this book is satisfactory of Afghan history.4.5/5

Great book, well written

O.k.