Afghanistan: A Military History from Alexander the Great to the War Against the Taliban

Afghanistan: A Military History from Alexander the Great to the War against the Taliban
I was lent this book by a friend, with whom I'd been discussing Afghanistan.
I have to confess, I didn't read it cover to cover. It does cover a GREAT deal of time and I was not so interested in the really old stuff. I read some of the initial bits, and then skipped ahead past the Mongols and the like.

It's a fascinating read in many ways. Having lived next door to Afghanistan for a while, it was particularly relevant, and I guess you're unlikely to read it unless you're interested in the area, or in world history, but if you are, I'd recommend it.
It wasn't just fascinating though, it was also borderline depressing in some ways. The main things that bothered me I guess were 1) the ruthlessness of nations in wanting power in Afghanistan in order to further their own dreams and desires (England, Russia, America etc.) and 2) the way in which the country has been battered and bruised both from within and from outside. It evoked memories of listening to a young person talking about how they'd been abused. It all just seems so unfair on the country, and of course on the people who largely want no part in conflict, but do want to be free. They seem condemned to pursue the former in order to achieve the latter.
There are some interesting comments from the author in the afterword. (He generally remains dispassionate throughout the main text, sticking largely to the facts, though using irony and the like to demonstrate some clear follies on the part of invaders!). He suggests the possibility of a Swiss-like government, drawing parallels between the countries (terrain, ethnic diversity, independence from surrounding nations etc) to strengthen this argument.
All in all, I'd recommend it (I finished it on holiday in Spain - that's how much I got into it!) highly to those interested in the region.

Unlike the other books on here, I'm not currently in a position to lend this out, as it's not mine. However, I think I probably will get hold of a copy of my own.