A remarkable book and very topical following recent events in this tragically war-torn country.

Little is known or understood about the events that occurred in Afghanistan since the 1980s - events that led inexorably to the recent disastrous withdrawal from the country by America and her allies. The story is complicated and worth following to understand the sequence of events leading to the present time - events which commenced in 1842 following the three year British occupation of the country. The Afghans rebelled and after forcing the resident British army from Kabul, the entire British force of around 16,000 troops was annihilated as were its thousands of families and servants while attempting to retreat back to India in the depths of a ferocious winter.

Recent events commenced with the nine year occupation of the country by the Russians - before they were ignominiously defeated by tribesmen - tribesmen supplied with modern weapons by the Americans delivered through 'neutral' Pakistan. The Russians suffered a total defeat and in the process lost 15,000 soldiers killed and 35,000 wounded.
And then the Americans moved in - only to fail, even though they were resident there for twenty years.

The book clearly explains how the various invaders were all doomed to failure by trying to convert a nation of tribesmen, content to live in the tenth century, to modern day American values. The intrusive role of Pakistan is also examined and although the subject is complex, the authors have presented their account in a highly readable format supported by well defined maps. This is a masterful piece of work which should be compulsory reading in every military academy and for any politician considering any intrusive association with Afghanistan.

Highly recommended.

Dr Adrian Greaves, The Anglo-Zulu War Historical Society