Rate this book

Afgantsy: The Russians In Afghanistan, 1979-1989 (2011)

by Rodric Braithwaite(Favorite Author)

3.86 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

1846680549 (ISBN13: 9781846680540)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Profile Books(GB)

review 1: Fascinating and authoritative account of the Soviet involvement in Afghanistan. It starts with a background of Russian and Soviet relations with Afghanistan, before moving onto the events leading up to and in the weeks after the Soviet invasion, which were gripping. Because the following years are difficult to construct into a narrative, he then takes a look at the war from different perspectives, such as the Soviet soldiers, giving representative snapshots, before finishing with the long extraction, the lessons and the aftermath.There were a lot of surprises for me. For instance, contrary to perceptions and media portrayal in the West, the Soviet intentions were good. They intervened to stop the excesses of an increasingly brutal regime which had seized power in the m... moreonths before. They were also keen to develop Afghanistan into a modern progressive democracy (and that word is used), where women had equal rights, education was available to all, including to university, and people were able to benefit from modern infrastructure and technology. Seemingly one of the biggest causes of rural revolt against the Soviets was the Soviet determination to establish equal rights for women - this challenge to the status quo was just too much. So after a brief honeymoon period during which the Soviets were welcomed as liberators, things descended to the point where the Soviets couldn't figure out how to leave with their prestige intact.Another surprise was just how much the Soviets hushed up their involvement to the Soviet people. The coffins of soldiers killed in Afghanistan were delivered in sealed coffins to families in the dead of night, with no admission of what had befallen the dead soldier. This of course also affected the benefits the bereaved families received, and the benefits the veterans received after their service, both the causes of much bitterness. The story of Afghanistan, as experienced by the Soviet soldier, largely went untold until the Internet gave the forum to share their experiences with other.One further surprise was just how nostalgic the Afghans were over the Soviets. The Soviets used brutal tactics at times, razing villages near points of ambush and such like, but it seems a surprising amount of Afghans liked that they could see and interact with the Soviets, which those Afghans interviewed said was not the case with ISAF soldiers more recently, variously hidden in their fortresses or behind dark sunglasses, and seemingly from another - much wealthier - planet.Very interesting, and essential reading for anyone with an interest in the current conflict in Afghanistan.
review 2: A fascinating and thorough look at the Soviet war in Afghanistan. Mr. Braithwaite devotes a considerable amount of time to nearly every facet of the conflict, from the political events leading up to Soviet involvement to the wrangling in the Politburo during the withdrawal. I especially enjoyed the discussion of the plight of returning veterans in the USSR and Russia. I would have preferred more first-hand accounts of the conflict, but from a strategic perspective, Mr. Braithwaite offers a thorough and highly readable narrative. less

Download links for: Afgantsy: The Russians In Afghanistan, 1979-1989

Advertising