| Afghanistan: A Short History of Its People and Politics Contributor(s): Ewans, Martin (Author) |
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ISBN: 0060505087 ISBN-13: 9780060505080 Publisher: Harper Perennial OUR PRICE: $14.39 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: September 2002 Annotation: 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 seventh century AD, Martin Ewans shows Afghanistan's early days - of powerful dynasties, fierce tribal rivalries and stunning architectural feats. In Ewans߬ucid and dispassionate prose, a once powerful empire is revealed, whose traditions and political stability have over the years slowly been reduced to ruins. Martin Ewans carefully and concisely weighs the lessons of history to provide a frank appraisal of Afghanistan's fragile relationship with its neighbouring countries.
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| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | Asia - Central Asia - History | Middle East - General - History | Reference |
| Dewey: 958.1 |
| LCCN: 2002024954 |
| Physical Information: 0.9" H x 5.35" W x 8.03" (0.60 lbs) 368 pages |
| Themes: - Cultural Region - Middle East |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: A fascinating chronicle of a nation's turbulent history. Reaching back to earliest times, Martin Ewans examines the historical evolution of one of today's most dangerous breeding grounds of global terrorism. After a succession of early dynasties and the emergence of an Afghan empire during the eighteenth century, the nineteenth and early twentieth century saw a fierce power struggle between Russia and Britain for supremacy in Afghanistan that was ended by the nation's proclamation of independence in 1919. A communist coup in the late 1970s overthrew the established regime and led to the invasion of Soviet troops in 1979. Roughly a decade later, the Soviet Union withdrew, condemning Afghanistan to a civil war that tore apart the nation's last remnants of religious, ethnic, and political unity. It was into this climate that the Taliban was born. Today, war-torn and economically destitute, Afghanistan faces unique challenges as it looks toward an uncertain future. Martin Ewans carefully weighs the lessons of history to provide a frank look at Afghanistan's prospects and the international resonances of the nation's immense task of total political and economic reconstruction. |
Contributor Bio(s): Ewans, Martin: - Sir Martin Ewans, a former officer of the British Diplomatic Service, served in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, as well as in diplomatic missions in Africa and North America. He holds a degree from Cambridge University and is currently chairman of the international charity Children's Aid Direct. |