Among the Afghans (Central Asia Book Series) [Hardcover]

Arthur Bonner (Author)

Book Description

Series: Central Asia Book Series | Publication Date: June 6, 1988

Arthur Bonner, a New York Times reporter with long experience as a foreign correspondent in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, spent most of 1985 and 1986 in Afghanistan and Pakistan researching the aftermath of the 1979 Soviet invasion of this mountainous, fiercely Islamic country. Bonner made another trip to Pakistan in mid-1987 to test his conclusions against recent events.
Bonner therefore brings both recent experience and the sharp eye of a veteran journalist to an analysis of the Afghan situation: the tenacity and courage of the resistance, the massive emmigration, and the toll taken by the seemingly endless conflict on the country and its people.
The author has seen both the great and small of Afghanistan--both the seared flesh of the hand that an Afghan mujahidin held in the fire to demonstrate his courage and the geopolitical reasons that impelled the former Soviet Union of set its might and treasure against a people who resisted with a fierce and sometimes (to Western eyes) thoughtless courage. This is the story of these antagonists--sobering, chilling, and finally enlightening.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Bonner, a New York Times reporter, joins the growing ranks of those who have gone to Afghanistan and written a book on their experiences. Reading the vignettes, at first one might think this book represents a simple journalistic treatment of a complex issue. Not so. Bonner's coverage is not all pro-Afghanihe asks probing questions and does not begin his reporting of politics in 1979 but rather shows the evolution of parties from the 1950s. Another area he focuses on is Western medical assistance. Libraries will have a difficult time finding a better book on this topic. Donald Clay Johnson, Univ. of Minnesota Libs., Minneapolis
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Well-researched, balanced, and compasstionate. . . . Mr. Bonner is an objective observer who pursues the facts with vigor.”—New York Times Book Review

“Bonner devoted several years to learning about Afghanistan, researching and traveling with the mujahidin. He has transformed his learning and experience into an eloquent and engrossing traveler’s tale.”—Orbis

Product Details

• Hardcover: 382 pages
• Publisher: Duke University Press Books; 1St Edition edition (June 6, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822307839
• ISBN-13: 978-0822307839
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,232,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A commendable work indeed..., January 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Among the Afghans (Central Asia Book Series) (Hardcover)

A remarkably resiliant traveler, Arthur Bonner chronicles his travels through Afghanistan in the worst years of the war. Actual accounts of battles as well as the state of the resistance abound and are surprisingly informative. However, given the scope of this book as well as the authors own superficial understanding of the situation in Afghanistan renders some conclusions hopelessly floating on the statements of the locals. But despite all this, the book is a good reading and certainly recommended.