Blight

Ghost Wars

Some books are easy reads, and others are difficult reads. Ghost Wars is definitely a difficult read. At Christmas 2005, I received Ghost Wars, and I just finished it on my way back from Seattle. I wasn't able to read it continuously because it took a good deal of conscious effort to keep all the Afghani and Arabian names (of both places and people) straight. Thus it was a long term companion on all of my business trips, and now as I pack for another trip I feel strange not placing this tome in my carry-on bag.

Ghost Wars by Steve Coll is a very in depth and extremely detailed examination of the history of Afghanistan from the Russian invasion to September 10, 2001. There are hundreds of footnotes, often several per paragraph, backing up the facts laid out with various sources. There are a large cast of characters that weave their way in and out of the military and political conflicts that result in the Afghanistan of today. It was enlightening and I feel much more understanding of the complex obstacles and challenges faced in the region.

Don't be scared off from this book. If you can get past the foreign names this is the best chance you have of understanding what happened. Aren't you curious how the Taliban managed to stay in power as long as they did, why Pakistan didn't more actively suppress terrorists operating within and around its borders, and who Hamid Karzai really is?

Labels: book

posted by Blight @ 1:08 AM