Product Description

Thanks to 20 years of civil war and its association with terrorism, Afghanistan is often unjustly thought of in the West as a barbarous backwater. This guide dispels that image in a comprehensive introduction to 3,500 years of Afghan culture. Starting with a full history of the country from 1500 BC, each chapter looks at the major cities and regions, describing their distinctive cultural and ethnic traditions, and their associations with poets, artists, musicians, travelers, and holy men, as well as warriors and conquerors. Ancient and modern sources from Afghanistan are extensively quoted, as well as the thoughts, musings, and experiences of writers from America, Europe, Russia, China, India, and the Middle East. Wonderfully illustrated, this book also features engravings, paintings, and images of priceless museum artifacts. A number of specialist essays by leading experts present topics such as archeology, architecture, carpets, flora and fauna, miniature painting, and music.

This new edition contains the latest travel updates from the ground, a new special topic on Kabul's Bala Hissar—one of the world's greatest but least well-known Mughal forts—and a new essay on Afghanistan's search for unity, providing the full historical background for the political struggle which Afghanistan is now facing. 307 color photos, 19 maps & plans.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53052 in Books
• Published on: 2005-06-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 768 pages

Review
Goes a long way towards humanising both the country and its people. -- Asian Affairs Journal

If travel books came with warnings, [this one] would read 'Caution, may inspire actual voyage.' -- Time

Strong on history and sumptuously produced, can be enjoyed even by adventurers who never leave their armchair. -- Daily Telegraph

Thorough and beautifully illustrated, this book is a comprehensive—and fun—window into Afghan history, culture, and traditions. -- Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner

About the Author
Bijan Omrani was educated at Wellington and Lincoln College, Oxford. He is an occasional contributor to the Spectator. When not traveling, he lives in Berkshire, England. Matthew Leeming was educated at Trinity College, Oxford. He first visited Afghanistan in 1993 to help restart the traditional tile-making industry, after which he became an extensive traveler throughout the country, writing on Afghanistan for the Times [London], Sunday Telegraph, Spectator, and the Literary Review. He lives near Winchester in southern England.

Customer Reviews

Invaluable Deployment Companion
This is not your typical guide book. "Go here, stay here, visit this museum, etc...". This is a comprehensive field guide with detailed information on every aspect of culture, traditions and history of the people and land of Afghanistan. The book is a daunting 768 pages, but it is very managable. It is broken down regionally with emphasis on ethnicity. This is especially valuable when trying to understand the intracacies of modern Afghanistan, i.e. Dealing with a Hazara is differnt from dealing with a Pashtun as they have different cultural backgrounds. This book has helped me survive two deployments to Afghanistan. It has also helped me to appreciate and respect the people and land, so that I fully understand the importance of saving this beutiful land and vibrant culture from descending back into the darkness of taliban rule.

"A river is not contaminated by having a dog drink from it." Afghan proverb

Great Book!
This is a great informative book about the history and culture of Afghanistan. Lots of nice photos too! It's compact and they fit a lot of info into this fairly compact book. Also has some travel advice for tourists. Paperback.

Excellent
I am currently deployed to Kabul and after reading and reviewing many guides and books this is the best guide and historic account I have found. Another great book is Taliban by Rashid.