Customer Reviews:
 A fascinating book, well researched and documented November 9, 2003
24 out of 24 found this review helpful
A. Rasanayagam's book, although a work of considerable scholarship, reads like a novel. It is packed with the kind of relevant detail that gives coherence to the events and episodes described by putting them in context.As an example, the rivalries and fears of two expanding empires,Russia and Britain, resulted in the creation of Afghanistan as a buffer state in Central Asia. Another insight is given in the chapter on the prelude to the Soviet invasion, based on transcripts of the Soviet Politburo, casting doubts on the widely accepted idea that this act was just another blatant manifestation of Soviet expansionist aims.
The book is well-written and well organized, with a chronologically-arranged narrative structure that makes it an easy read.Each chapter is practically free-standing so the reader does not have to refer back to earlier chapters.
This book gives invaluable insights on a country very much on the headlines to any reader interested in world affairs, as much of what is described is of great contemporary relevance.
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