Customer Reviews

Afghanistan

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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Louis Dupree's book is the single best survey of Afghanistan ever written. Indeed, it is the best survey of any country with which I am familiar. In 700 well-written pages, the book introduces the reader to the flora, fauna, geology, geography, folk customs, ethnic groups, literature and history of the country. When I served as the legal advisor to the US Embassy in Kabul for a year, I found it invaluable.

"Afghanistan" gives the reader a complete insight in life in Afghanistan from the Stone-age until the Russian Invasion. Dupee go's in extreme detail about all aspects of Afghanistan's society and "illustrates" them with many stories which makes the book fasinating from the first page to the end. He presents the reader Afghanistan historicly, geographicly and demographicly. The index in the back of the book, makes it to a most complete reference source. After reading this book you know more about Afghanistan than many Afghanies!

(Please feel free to correct my english) Jeroen van Dijk

Anyone interested in the History,Ethnology and culture of Afghanistan will be immensely satisfied.Dupree's fine-toothed research covers every square inch of this tragic yet fascinating country.From Alexander the great's classic Central Asian campaigns up to the post Soviet invasion era.

Anyone interested in the History,Ethnology and culture of Afghanistan will be immensely satisfied.Dupree's fine-toothed research covers every square inch of this tragic yet fascinating country.From Alexander the great's classic Central Asian campaigns up to the post Soviet invasion era.

This book was on the 1st Marine Division's recommended reading list for officers about to deploy to Afghanistan. It is thorough and long. It's also an extremely dry read. That said there are portions of it that are quite informative, making this an overall great resource for those who are about to visit the region. One thing to remember, though, is that this book was published in the 1970's, so there is no reference to the Russian invasion, Taliban or post-911 engagements.