Afghanistan: A Companion and Guide
by Bijan Omrani, Matthew Leeming
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Book Summary Information
Author: Bijan Omrani, Matthew LeemingEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2005-06-30
ISBN: 9622177468
Number of pages: 768
Publisher: Odyssey
Book Reviews of Afghanistan: A Companion and Guide
Book Review: A great book on the subject, minus the binding
Summary: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. Considerably bulkier and heavier than other travel guides, this guide is nonetheless a value for its comprehensive coverage and its infusion of history and literary references. Filled with beautiful pictures and quotes/passages from notable sources, the author does a great job of communicating the rich cultural history and beauty of the "Crossroads of Asia," that unfortunately has suffered from decades of war.
I bought this book prior to deployment to Afghanistan figuring that while my duties would prevent me from seeing much of the country I could get a better feeling overall. By the time "the adventure" had commenced I was much more educated. It is filled with fantastic pictures and worthy addition to a travel library.
I would recommend this book to travellers to the region. Granted, it's heavy and somewhat bulky. Minus one star for the binding - mine ripped before I was through the first chapter (the binding was poor - there were too many pages!).
Summary of Afghanistan: A Companion and Guide
Thanks to 20 years of civil war and its association with terrorism, Afghanistan is now unjustly thought of in the West as a barbarous backwater. Afghanistan: A Traveler's Companion & Guide aims to dispel this image in a comprehensive introduction to 3,500 years of Afghan culture. Starting with a full history of the country from 1500BC, each chapter looks at the major cities and regions, describing their distinctive cultural and ethnic traditions, their associations with poets, artists, musicians, travelers and holy men, as well as warriors and conquerors. Ancient and modern sources from Afghanistan are extensively quoted, as well as the thoughts, musings and experiences of writers from America, Europe, Russia, China, India and the Middle East, including such luminaries as Wilfred Thesiger and Bruce Chatwin.Experienced Afghan traveler Matthew Leeming contributes detailed information for those who intend to visit the country as tourists, with guides to specific cities and areas, as well as more general advice. A number of short specialist appendices by leading experts further illustrate matters such as archaeology, architecture, carpets, miniature painting, calligraphy, music, flora and fauna.
Wonderfully illustrated with superb images from world-renowned photographers such as Michael Yamashita and Roland and Sabrina Michaud. Also includes engravings, etchings, paintings and priceless museum artifacts.
This lavish guide reveals the immense treasury of cultural, historical and natural wealth-too frequently forgotten-that is Afghanistan.
- Written by authors with both academic and first-hand knowledge of the country
- Essential reading for anyone with an interest in Afghanistan's history
- Includes stunning contemporary photography from world-renowned photographers such as Michael Yamashita and Roland and Sabrina Michaud
- Rare archive material includes black-and-white photography by Wilfred Thesiger
- Literary excerpts from Herodotus to Robert Lowell, Robert Byron, Peter Levi and Bruce Chatwin
- The most comprehensive coverage, from Alexander the Great to the new constitution
- 110 stunning color photos
- 512 pages of invaluable information on Afghanistan
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