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Return Of A King: The Battle For Afghanistan (2013)

by William Dalrymple(Favorite Author)

4.32 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1408818302 (ISBN13: 9781408818305)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Bloomsbury Publishing

review 1: A friend recommended this one to me, and in fact sent me a copy so I would have no excuse for not reading it. My initial reaction was almost that of it being a chore, but I am glad that I "did my chores." There are parallels in this tale about the disastrous rout that the Brits suffered in Afghanistan in 1841 and the US in 2012 - both as a result of witnessing what the Russians were doing in "The Great Game." There are also significant differences. But, the reaction of outsiders to how the indigenous people of the area settle scores seem intact. We shy away from tales of torture and cruelty that seem almost normal to the tribal familial squabbles of those remote regions. And then little understand the hand of hospitality extended to those who have not taken up arms. ... more My friend firmly believes nothing there will ever change - I'm not sure he is correct, but maybe he is.
review 2: Excellent read. Perhaps intentionally, the book leads one to draw the parallel to later invasions into and occupations of Afghanistan. * spoiler alert * I sniggered by the strategic decision of the English to install Shah Shuja at great cost as a new and friendly ruler, while the incumbent leader - Dost Mohammed - had so often expressed his interest in aligning with the English. My sniggers temporarily turned into respect by the relative ease of invasion. With the tribal leaders sensing the might of the English, Dost Mohammed was dropped and Kandahar and Kabul could be marched into without any effort even. But then, the difficulties of occupying a beautiful but quite unproductive and scattered land, peopled by proud, independent and more than a little opportunistic inhabitants, who have the exclusive skills to operate in mountain areas. When the English, to save money, decrease the level of occupation, insurgents surge out of every dark corner to slash the throats of the loose ends of the occupational force. Mmm...rings a bell? The slaughter during the retreat of the English is surreal and an incredible piece of writing. Highly recommended if you are into English, Asian or war history. Or history in general perhaps. less

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