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aashi20's review against another edition
4.0
Ahmed Rashid starts the book with a brief history of Afganistan and further explains the rise of the Taliban. This book perfectly encompasses the social, economical, political, and religious factors that made Taliban a threat to its nation and the world.
The plight of a disturbed state and people, devoid of basic human rights, crippled with poverty is disturbing to read but provides an insight into human's ability to commit atrocity under the umbrella of religion.
Taliban started as a savior for the people of Kandahar from the corrupt Mujahideen leaders but ironically they became what they were fighting against.
It will be an interesting read for people who are curious about geopolitics, religion, ethnic diversity and social conditions of Afganistan after the defeat of the Soviet Union in 1989.
The New edition also includes the events that followed 9/11 and how the United States changed its foreign policies and urged Pakistan to stop supporting the Taliban. This part also covers the impact of Taliban in neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan (2000-2009).
I admire the courage of Ahmed Rashid, who interviewed various leaders of the Taliban and the Anti-Taliban alliance amidst the chaos, packed with violence and fear. The book is an honest and truthful description of the brutal events that took place.
The plight of a disturbed state and people, devoid of basic human rights, crippled with poverty is disturbing to read but provides an insight into human's ability to commit atrocity under the umbrella of religion.
Taliban started as a savior for the people of Kandahar from the corrupt Mujahideen leaders but ironically they became what they were fighting against.
It will be an interesting read for people who are curious about geopolitics, religion, ethnic diversity and social conditions of Afganistan after the defeat of the Soviet Union in 1989.
The New edition also includes the events that followed 9/11 and how the United States changed its foreign policies and urged Pakistan to stop supporting the Taliban. This part also covers the impact of Taliban in neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan (2000-2009).
I admire the courage of Ahmed Rashid, who interviewed various leaders of the Taliban and the Anti-Taliban alliance amidst the chaos, packed with violence and fear. The book is an honest and truthful description of the brutal events that took place.
mugglemom's review against another edition
3.0
What is remarkable about this book is that it was published 6 months BEFORE Sept 11,2011...and it couldn't be missed when the author states that the USA "had a plan for Osama Bin Laden but not a plan for Afghanistan".
Ah wrong-o! Apparently the US didn't even get that right.
Still, the material is great for historical knowledge and written by non-US citizen so there's less slant.
Ah wrong-o! Apparently the US didn't even get that right.
Still, the material is great for historical knowledge and written by non-US citizen so there's less slant.
aashi20's review against another edition
4.0
Ahmed Rashid starts the book with a brief history of Afganistan and further explains the rise of the Taliban. This book perfectly encompasses the social, economical, political, and religious factors that made Taliban a threat to its nation and the world.
The plight of a disturbed state and people, devoid of basic human rights, crippled with poverty is disturbing to read but provides an insight into human's ability to commit atrocity under the umbrella of religion.
Taliban started as a savior for the people of Kandahar from the corrupt Mujahideen leaders but ironically they became what they were fighting for.
It will be an interesting read for people who are curious about geopolitics, religion, ethnic diversity and social conditions of Afganistan after the defeat of the Soviet Union in 1989.
The New edition also includes the events that followed 9/11 and how the United States changed its foreign policies and urged Pakistan to stop supporting the Taliban. This part also covers the impact of Taliban in neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan (2000-2009).
I admire the courage of Ahmed Rashid, who interviewed various leaders of the Taliban and the Anti-Taliban alliance amidst the chaos, packed with violence and fear. The book is an honest and truthful description of the brutal events that took place.
The plight of a disturbed state and people, devoid of basic human rights, crippled with poverty is disturbing to read but provides an insight into human's ability to commit atrocity under the umbrella of religion.
Taliban started as a savior for the people of Kandahar from the corrupt Mujahideen leaders but ironically they became what they were fighting for.
It will be an interesting read for people who are curious about geopolitics, religion, ethnic diversity and social conditions of Afganistan after the defeat of the Soviet Union in 1989.
The New edition also includes the events that followed 9/11 and how the United States changed its foreign policies and urged Pakistan to stop supporting the Taliban. This part also covers the impact of Taliban in neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan (2000-2009).
I admire the courage of Ahmed Rashid, who interviewed various leaders of the Taliban and the Anti-Taliban alliance amidst the chaos, packed with violence and fear. The book is an honest and truthful description of the brutal events that took place.
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