Afghanistan: Mullah, Marx, and Mujahid

From Library Journal
In this skimpy work, Magnus (Naval Postgraduate Sch.), a former assistant cultural attache in Kabul, and Naby, a Middle Eastern scholar who has taught at Harvard and Columbia universities, spend some introductory chapters on Afghan history and politics before honing in on "Mullah, Marx, and Mujahid." Although they try to keep the three concepts distinct, the considerable overlap results in much repetition of ideas, and such a thematic arrangement makes the historical chronology troublesome to follow?all the more disappointing because between them, the authors have many years' experience in Afghanistan. Only the last 20 pages deal with the Taliban and the dramatic events in Afghanistan since 1992. Libraries should save their aquisitions funds for future works on Afghanistan.?Donald Johnson, Univ. of Minnesota Lib., MinneapolisCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Magnus and Naby have prepared a superb introduction to the often murky and misunderstood position of Afghanistan both inside and outside Asia. In addition to outlining the tumultuous history of the country and its people, the authors also provide information detailing the unique geographical, social, political, cultural, religious, and economic circumstances that have contributed to the evolution and development of contemporary Afghanistan. During the course of the twentieth century, Afghanistan has idly progressed from a colonial prize to a politically volatile Third World player. Although the successful campaign mounted by the Mujahid (Holy Warriors) to overthrow the prevailing Communist regime and oust the occupying Red Army signaled the decline of Soviet power in the region, post^-cold war Afghanistan remains plagued by both inner turmoil and outside interference. A trenchant and insightful analysis of the internal and external forces that continue to influence the destiny of Afghanistan and the entire Middle East. Margaret Flanagan


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A broad introduction to Afghanistan that analyzes current prospects for stability with an emphasis on regional geopolitical importance. The subject is introduced with discussions of physical geography, agriculture, ethnic groups and structures, demography, and a chapter on the history of Afghanistan from the eighteenth century to 1973. For the greater part of the text the authors explain the characteristics of and interactions between traditional Muslim society, Muslim fundamentalist Mujahidin, and Communism and other secular socioeconomic forces within the context of geopolitics and lingering effects of the Cold War. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.


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