Afghanistan - A Short History of Its People and Politics

A fascinating chronicle of a nation's turbulent history and a must read for anyone interested in the historical evolution of one of today's most dangerous breeding grounds of global terrorism. Starting in 7th century A.D., Martin Ewans shows Afghanistan's early days - powerful dynasties, fierce tribal rivalries and stunning architectural feats. He examines the various milestones on the country's road to the 21st century. The three Anglo-Afghan Wars (1838 - 1913), a power struggle between Russia and Britain for colonial supremacy in Afghanistan, ended by the nation's proclamation of independence in 1913. A leftist coup in the 1970s ended the monarchy and resulted in the invasion of Russian troops in 1979. A decade later, Russia withdrew and left Afghanistan in a Civil War that tore apart the nation's last remnants of religious, ethnic and geopolitical unity-the Taliban was born. In Ewans' lucid and dispassionate prose, is a once powerful empire, whose traditions and political stability have over the years slowly been reduced to ruins. Today, Afghanistan is war-torn and destitute, its people struggling to live their lives one day at a time under one the most fundamentalist and rigid rules imaginable. Martin Ewans carefully and concisely weighs the lessons of history to provide a frank look at Afghanistan's fragile relationship with its neighbouring countries and the dangerous national and international consequences of the Taliban's place in Islamic society....