The Taliban and the Crisis of Afghanistan

by Robert D. Crews (Editor), Amin Tarzi (Editor)

5 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-0674032248

ISBN-10: 9780674032248

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The Taliban remain one of the most elusive forces in modern history. A ragtag collection of clerics and madrasa students, this obscure movement emerged out of the rubble of the Cold War to shock the world with their draconian Islamic order. The Taliban refused to surrender their vision even when confronted by the United States after September 11, 2001. Reinventing themselves as part of a broad insurgency that destabilized Afghanistan, they pledged to drive out the Americans, NATO, and their allies and restore their "Islamic Emirate."

The Taliban and the Crisis of Afghanistan explores the paradox at the center of this challenging phenomenon: how has a seemingly anachronistic band of religious zealots managed to retain a tenacious foothold in the struggle for Afghanistan's future? Grounding their analysis in a deep understanding of the country's past, leading scholars of Afghan history, politics, society, and culture show how the Taliban was less an attempt to revive a medieval theocracy than a dynamic, complex, and adaptive force rooted in the history of Afghanistan and shaped by modern international politics. Shunning journalistic accounts of its conspiratorial origins, the essays investigate broader questions relating to the character of the Taliban, its evolution over time, and its capacity to affect the future of the region.

Offering an invaluable guide to "what went wrong" with the American reconstruction project in Afghanistan, this book accounts for the persistence of a powerful and enigmatic movement while simultaneously mapping Afghanistan's enduring political crisis.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Bringing the story of a poorly understood but suddenly vitally important political movement up to date, the authors provide new perspectives on a revitalized Taliban that again threatens the stability of Afghanistan and Pakistan.”―David Edwards, Williams College

“Tarzi and Crews' account of the Taliban's historical and political evolution provides a most useful and important perspective on strategic thinking. Issues that bedeviled the Taliban endure, and this timely book underlines the scope of the problem.”―Ronald E. Neumann, former Ambassador to Afghanistan

“Historian Crews and reporter Tarzi have assembled eight revealing essays on this widely reviled movement...The authors' 58-page introduction adds additional clarity and context to Afghanistan's tortured history, making for an engrossing read.”―Publishers Weekly

“The Taliban and the Crisis of Afghanistan is of great value and highly welcome...Historically, successful counter-insurgency depends on striking political deals with parts of the insurgency. For that to happen, NATO needs to know its enemy. This volume makes a great contribution towards understanding the Taliban and the insurgency.”―Timo Noetzel, World Today

About the Author

Robert D. Crews is Professor of History at Stanford University.

Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Harvard University Press (May 15, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780674032248
ISBN-13: 978-0674032248
ASIN: 0674032241
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Customer Reviews: 5 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,704,862 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #702 in Central Asia History
- #3924 in Asian History (Books)
- #1099 in Afghan War Military History

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Timothy M

Great in depth and detailed account of the Taliban in Afghanistan

July 27, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I was nervous about this book at first. Often books that are series of chapters written by different authors can be hit or miss. I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case in this book. The extremely long introduction set the book's tone, making its a detailed analysis of the various parties and ideas that make up the Taliban and was written in away that made the book easily digestible. Chapters on the Rise and fall of the Taliban and the Neo-Taliban were of particular interest. Both giving a contrasting picture of the way the movement formed and the way the "movement" exists today (extremely fragmented).

There was nice chapters on why the movement gained ground so fast, and why the new government (and ISAF) has so many problems consolidating its power today. The last conclusion was not as original or insightful, however, as the rest of the book. And seemed to jump on the failures of both the new government and ISAF with out emphasizing, as the rest of the book did, the complexities and nuances of the Afghan situation.

This book along with Ahmed Rashid's book on the Taliban, are great to have.

7 people found this helpful

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Raul

God Book

September 12, 2009

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A good book that highlights some great items about the Afghan political, military, and specially cultural issues. The introduction is rather long but the rest of the book coves in the chapters (separate from each other) some good points

3 people found this helpful

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You will understand Afghanistan like a local

August 15, 2013

Format: Paperback

This book is not for anyone who is mostly unfamiliar with the general history of Afghanistan. This is a thorough, in-depth analysis from multiple author's perspectives of the foundation, rise, defeat, and subsequent resurrection of the Taliban. Each of the essays was packed with history and information. The text can sometimes meander from topic to topic, needing to explain one facet of Afghan history in order to tell a story about the rise of the Taliban, but altogether the authors have done a competent job in summing up a complex subject. I would recommend having a map of the country nearby while reading.

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Roann

... with more notes and highlighting than I would have liked. Thankfully it did not distract from the reading ...

August 4, 2014

Format: Paperback

The book was in fair condition with more notes and highlighting than I would have liked. Thankfully it did not distract from the reading much. Excellent book to read. I would just get a new one next time.

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diana "Anna"

A fascinating book

June 4, 2008

Format: Hardcover

This book is extremely well written and is a fount of information. It is a must for anyone trying to understand the mess in Afghanistan.

14 people found this helpful

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The Taliban and the Crisis of Afghanistan