Kara Kush [Import] [Hardcover]

Idries Shah (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Stein and Day Publishers; First Edition edition (1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812830989
• ISBN-13: 978-0812830989
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,196,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great fictional story based in reality:, July 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Kara Kush (Hardcover)

Kara Kush is one of the best adventure stories I've ever read. The tales of bravery coupled with the fascinating history and insight into the freedom fighters of Afganistan and the world sparked my interest long before I knew what a Sufi was (I still may not know). This novel had such a ring of honesty that I found myself doubting it could be anything but the very best of non-fiction. From the actual phone number of the KGB to the descriptions of leaders and life experiences, this book paints a picture so vivid and genuine that one must wonder from what narrative or collection the author was writing. I would recommend this story to anyone with a curious spirit and the wish to be led somewhere interesting.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A look at Afghanistan: then ... now? ... always?, June 27, 2010

By 

Ursiform (Torrance, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Kara Kush (Hardcover)

This book was published in 1986, but noticing it on my shelf, and with the news of the day, I thought it was high time to review it.

Although the conceit is an American-educated Afghan returning to organize Afghans fighting the Soviets in the 1980s--probably intended to help sales for this English-language book written by an Afghan--the book is an Afghan's view of the Afghan struggle to defeat the invading Soviets. While the cold war message Americans might have taken away from the book was that Afghans were our allies in defeating the totalitarian Soviet Union, the lasting message is a different one. Afghanistan is not so much a nation as a geographical region filled with fiercely independent tribes. Much has been made of their success in repulsing invaders. But the deeper story is that they have never surrendered their independence to anyone, including indigenous governments. Tribal leaders were willing to pledge nominal fealty to Afghan governments so long as those governments made no effort to expand their writ to tribal areas. But the tribes never allowed themselves to actually be governed by any central authority. Even the Taliban, for all their brutality, never controlled the whole area of Afghanistan.

Some have criticized this book for treating the Soviets as caricatures. But the book is told from the Afghan viewpoint, and fighters demonize their enemies. This is not an objective book that tries to see the Soviets as they really were, it is a book that presents the Soviets as an Afghan imagines them. If that is a problem for you, you might not like the book.

A powerful--albeit biased and definitely period--book, it still offers a vivid insight to Afghan tribalism. Yes, to read it today you will have to set aside some cold war baggage. But many "old" novels carry baggage from their era. This novel is a lively read, and deserves a new lease on remembrance by yet another tragic turn in Afghan history.

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Afganistan during the Soviet occupation of the 1980's, February 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Kara Kush (Hardcover)

A revealing testimony about the authors homeland and his truely unique incites into its people and their history. A must read for any student of coherent thinking and a wonderful example of triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds. Whether you are interested in warfare, travel, or incites into the greater capacities of the human spirit Kara Kush is the book for you. This story is truely told from an insiders point of view.