Taliban - The Story of the Afghan Warlords - Softcover

Rashid, Ahmed

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0330492217 ISBN 13: 9780330492218

Publisher: Pan, 2001

Synopsis

The definitive account of the history of the Taliban and its uncertain future.

This is the book that Tony Blair and Alistair Campbell consulted to gain a better impression of the unique circumstances of the Taliban. An exploration of the overwhelming complexity of Afghan politics, The Taliban: The Story behind the Afghan Warlords explains how it came in to being, how it is sustained and how Osama bin Laden has risen to such a figure of absolute power. Ahmed Rashid clarifies the often confusing racial and religious tensions that dominate this fractious land. And describes why the drug trade has exacerbated an already untenable situation. Rashid argues that Taliban is incapable of reform, and that, in the current crisis, it may implode due to defections. With the Northern Alliance an unpredictable alternative, Rashid concludes that without a multi-tribal government in which bordering states do not seek predominant influence, there will never be peace.

'Read this remarkable book and the bewildering complexity of Afghan politics and the deadly over-spill of chaos, narcotics and sectarian violence into the surrounding region will become clear.' Patrick Seale, Sunday Times

'Ahmed Rashid's book describes the stuff that Bond [films] are made of. Warring tribes, clashing empires, fanatics with dreams of world domination, violence and sex . If anyone understands the place Rashid does.' Jason Burke, Observer

About this title

Review

Ahmed Rashid's Taliban: The story of the Afghan Warlords is the single best book available on the subject of the regime in Afghanistan responsible for harbouring the terrorist Osama bin Laden. Rashid is a Pakistani journalist who has spent most of his career reporting on the region--he has personally met and interviewed many of the Taliban's shadowy leaders. Taliban was written and published before the massacres of September 11, 2001, yet it is essential reading for anyone who hopes to understand the aftermath of that black day. It includes details on how and why the Taliban came to power, the government's oppression of ordinary citizens (especially women), the heroin trade, oil intrigue, and--in a vitally relevant chapter--bin Laden's sinister rise to power. These pages contain stories of mass slaughter, beheadings and the Taliban's crushing war against freedom: Under Mullah Omar, it has banned everything from kite flying to singing and dancing at weddings. Rashid is for the most part an objective reporter, though his rage sometimes (and understandably) comes to the surface: "The Taliban were right, their interpretation of Islam was right, and everything else was wrong and an expression of human weakness and a lack of piety", he notes with sarcasm. He has produced a compelling portrait of modern evil. --John Miller

Review

Ahmed Rashid's book describes the stuff that Bond [films] are made of...if anyone understands the place Rashid does. -- Jason Burke, Observer

Rashid tells a complicated story clearly. He places the rise of the Taliban in the context of the Afgahn civil war. -- Robin Banerji, Daily Telegraph

Read this remarkable book and the bewildering complexity of Afghan politics,the chaos, narcotics and violence will become clear -- Patrick Seale, Sunday Times

This is a riveting, balanced and well-informed book -- International Herald Tribune

About this edition

• Publisher: Pan
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0330492217
• ISBN 13: 9780330492218
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 276