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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
The author is absolutely crazy, but that makes for a fascinating book and an interesting insight into a country i know only through the US media.
A peek into the world of rural Afghanistan (which is a world so unlike the one I which I live) circa 2002. The life of the people the author interacted with is so foreign, so ancient, confounding and ultimately, so unknowable to this 21st century American. I value gaining a (small and fleeting) glimpse of the represented cultures which manifest these divergent perspectives.
It appears that the author is fortunate to have survived walking these treacherous roads, a risk well beyond reasonable for most of us. Yet despite multiple well informed warnings not to proceed alone, in the winter, despite land mines, wolves, Taliban sympathizers, militias, robbers and despots, he walked on. Charm, wit, arrogance and the undeserved good will of his fellow humans allowed him to someone beat the odds, and he arrived unscathed in Kabul.
It appears that the author is fortunate to have survived walking these treacherous roads, a risk well beyond reasonable for most of us. Yet despite multiple well informed warnings not to proceed alone, in the winter, despite land mines, wolves, Taliban sympathizers, militias, robbers and despots, he walked on. Charm, wit, arrogance and the undeserved good will of his fellow humans allowed him to someone beat the odds, and he arrived unscathed in Kabul.
I first read this book last February, giving it a generous two stars. At the time, Rory's intentions eluded me. I couldn't grasp why anyone would travel the breadth of Afghanistan on foot. He troubled so many people for lodging, food, guidance, only to document their poor hospitality and hygiene. I sped through the book and tucked it away in my bookshelf thinking ‘What was the point of that?’
Having followed Rory's political career since then, I decided to revisit the book with less judgemental eyes. I was prepared to get the same sense of privilege and pomp that initially put me off the first time reading it. What a difference a second reading made - maybe it was time passing, or a deeper interest in Asian history, but this time the journey, and the insights he gave into modern Afghanistan captivated me.
Rory was retracing the steps of Babur, the first Mughal emperor, from Afghanistan's westernmost city, Herat, to its capital in the east, Kabul. The kicker, while Babur had an army and horses, Rory had only walking boots and sunglasses.
I won’t spoil anything for those who haven’t yet read it, but Rory skilfully relays Afghanistan's diversity through the people and cultures he encountered, weaving in explanations of the country's rich history and giving reasons for its current state. This isn't a cheerful tale; it reveals the true Afghanistan—its people, wars, and destruction. Yet it does so respectfully. Highly recommend giving this a read.
Having followed Rory's political career since then, I decided to revisit the book with less judgemental eyes. I was prepared to get the same sense of privilege and pomp that initially put me off the first time reading it. What a difference a second reading made - maybe it was time passing, or a deeper interest in Asian history, but this time the journey, and the insights he gave into modern Afghanistan captivated me.
Rory was retracing the steps of Babur, the first Mughal emperor, from Afghanistan's westernmost city, Herat, to its capital in the east, Kabul. The kicker, while Babur had an army and horses, Rory had only walking boots and sunglasses.
I won’t spoil anything for those who haven’t yet read it, but Rory skilfully relays Afghanistan's diversity through the people and cultures he encountered, weaving in explanations of the country's rich history and giving reasons for its current state. This isn't a cheerful tale; it reveals the true Afghanistan—its people, wars, and destruction. Yet it does so respectfully. Highly recommend giving this a read.
I was sceptical reading this book due to my experience of reading the marches. However found my self really enjoying it, I loved the combination of the remoteness of the walk, the background of an international war and the history of the walk of emperor babur.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Rory Stewart is, in my opinion, one of the most interesting and thoughtful figures in British public life.
The Places in Between is the diary of his walk from Herat to Kabul, just after the fall of the Taliban, a truly epic undertaking.
The book is generally well-written, improving towards the end, although the prose is often workmanlike rather than beautiful. What is conveyed superbly is an outsider’s sense of the different Afghan communities along the way. Their generosity, humanity and occasional cruelty. Rory doesn’t judge, he just reports.
A fascinating book, and one I would recommend to anyone who thinks that nation building is easy.
The Places in Between is the diary of his walk from Herat to Kabul, just after the fall of the Taliban, a truly epic undertaking.
The book is generally well-written, improving towards the end, although the prose is often workmanlike rather than beautiful. What is conveyed superbly is an outsider’s sense of the different Afghan communities along the way. Their generosity, humanity and occasional cruelty. Rory doesn’t judge, he just reports.
A fascinating book, and one I would recommend to anyone who thinks that nation building is easy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Religious bigotry
This book taught me about a part of the world and a people so foreign to me.
Me reading this book: I will DIE if I don't get to walk across Afghanistan this VERY second.
Me, remembering I'm a girl: Actually... maybe that's reversed.
Me, remembering I'm a girl: Actually... maybe that's reversed.
I was so taken aback by the beauty of the writing of this book, I’m not sure if this was written by Rory or ghost written, but it’s made me excited to read his other books.
I feel like this has given me a glimpse into the complexity of daily life for afghans and how much it differs from the view I’d gotten from the news.
Rory Stewart was both courageous and stupid for his decision to do the walk, but I’m glad he did, and I’m glad he wrote about it, I wish I’d done it too.
I feel like this has given me a glimpse into the complexity of daily life for afghans and how much it differs from the view I’d gotten from the news.
Rory Stewart was both courageous and stupid for his decision to do the walk, but I’m glad he did, and I’m glad he wrote about it, I wish I’d done it too.
