Product Description

Thanks to 20 years of civil war and its association with terrorism, Afghanistan is now unjustly thought of in the West as a barbarous backwater. Afghanistan: A Traveler's Companion & Guide aims to dispel this image in a comprehensive introduction to 3,500 years of Afghan culture. Starting with a full history of the country from 1500BC, each chapter looks at the major cities and regions, describing their distinctive cultural and ethnic traditions, 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, including such luminaries as Wilfred Thesiger and Bruce Chatwin.

Experienced Afghan traveler Matthew Leeming contributes detailed information for those who intend to visit the country as tourists, with guides to specific cities and areas, as well as more general advice. A number of short specialist appendices by leading experts further illustrate matters such as archaeology, architecture, carpets, miniature painting, calligraphy, music, flora and fauna.

Wonderfully illustrated with superb images from world-renowned photographers such as Michael Yamashita and Roland and Sabrina Michaud. Also includes engravings, etchings, paintings and priceless museum artifacts.

This lavish guide reveals the immense treasury of cultural, historical and natural wealth-too frequently forgotten-that is Afghanistan.

• Written by authors with both academic and first-hand knowledge of the country
• Essential reading for anyone with an interest in Afghanistan's history
• Includes stunning contemporary photography from world-renowned photographers such as Michael Yamashita and Roland and Sabrina Michaud
• Rare archive material includes black-and-white photography by Wilfred Thesiger
• Literary excerpts from Herodotus to Robert Lowell, Robert Byron, Peter Levi and Bruce Chatwin
• The most comprehensive coverage, from Alexander the Great to the new constitution
• 110 stunning color photos
• 512 pages of invaluable information on Afghanistan

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28046 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, and 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 the subject for the Times, Sunday Telegraph, Spectator and the Literary Review. When not in Afghanistan, he lives near Winchester in southern England.

Customer Reviews

The unknown Afghanistan
This hefty tome oozes quality. From its 768! pages printed on very fine paper to the wonderful photographs to the heavy duty binding. The authors convey a deep love for this intriguing country so often only heard of in terms of war and violence. This is also a most comprehensive history of Afghanistan. Its blue lapis lazuli was used as ornament on The Mask of Tutankhamun. Coins of the Graeco-Bactrion kingdoms of Afghanistan reveal life in the lost "Atlantis of the East". As a travelling guide you get "down to earth" advice: "Driving in Kabul is a contact sport. (An airline)... fly, when they feel like it. "The Worst Hotel in the World." etc. Some places are presently out of reach for the ordinary traveller due to war - again. For the Afghans, I sincerely hope peace will prevail. They are proud and tough people despite, or maybe because of, their many hardships. This book tenfold improved my understanding of their beautiful and complex country. Possibly you would bring the several pounds of guide book along in your rucksack? Probably not. On the final page, as in many places in this "tour de force", there is a fine underlying humour: "Published to appeal to the armchair traveller". I'll be travelling often with this good companion.

afghan guide
A comprehensive guide to everything about Afghanistan from carpets to stupas. Its excellent photographs and abundant maps leave the reader with a desire to visit this fascinating country. The book is heavy to hold but difficult to put down. A must for all travelers (armchair or footworn) of distant horizons.

Excellent Book
Very helpful. Filled throughout with fact and history, as well, as suggestions for modern day travelers. I have purchased a lot of books on Afghanistan, and this one gets a LOT of use.