Afghanistan

A Cultural and Political History

By: Thomas Barfield

Narrated by: Robin Bloodworth

Afghanistan traces the historic struggles and the changing nature of political authority in this volatile region of the world, from the Mughal Empire in the 16th century to the Taliban resurgence today. Thomas Barfield introduces listeners to the bewildering diversity of tribal and ethnic groups in Afghanistan, explaining what unites them as Afghans despite the regional, cultural, and political differences that divide them. He shows how governing these peoples was relatively easy when power was concentrated in a small dynastic elite, but how this delicate political order broke down in the 19th and 20th centuries when Afghanistan's rulers mobilized rural militias to expel first the British and later the Soviets.

Armed insurgency proved remarkably successful against the foreign occupiers, but it also undermined the Afghan government's authority and rendered the country ever more difficult to govern as time passed. Barfield vividly describes how Afghanistan's armed factions plunged the country into a civil war, giving rise to clerical rule by the Taliban and Afghanistan's isolation from the world. He examines why the American invasion in the wake of September 11 toppled the Taliban so quickly, and how this easy victory lulled the United States into falsely believing that a viable state could be built just as easily.

Afghanistan is essential listening for anyone who wants to understand how a land conquered and ruled by foreign dynasties for more than a thousand years became the "graveyard of empires" for the British and Soviets, and what the United States must do to avoid a similar fate.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2010 Princeton University Press (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"In this riveting study, Barfield does a splendid job of informing us why Afghanistan is the way it has always been." ( Daily Star)

"This book is an authoritative and well-written summary of what we might call the majority view. There is a streak in this book, however, of more radical thinking. . . . It leads him near the end of the book to some startling predictions for Afghanistan's possible futures." ( Gerard Russell Foreign Policy)

"Thomas Barfield's new book offers a remedy for Americans' pervasive ignorance of Afghanistan. . . . Afghanistan: A Cultural and Political History is an invaluable book. Mr. Barfield does not give the United States a way out of Afghanistan, but he does provide the context necessary for good policymaking." (Doug Bandow, Washington Times)

Great Listen & Narration

Comprehensive look into Afghanistan with an emphasis on the country from the 18 and 19th centuries and onward. Compliments to the narrator , as well.

Great overview of Afghanistan's history

What made the experience of listening to Afghanistan the most enjoyable?

Interesting perspective on tribal/cultural dynamics. Goes more in depth into actual Afghan historical politics vs. the more traditional US foreign policy-perspective books which are more widely published.

Recommend but needs revised.

The book and narrative is overall enjoyable. The amount of historical precedents that is given really helps the novice to better understand Afghan politics today. My only complaint is the author’s prejudice towards President G. Bush that is demonstrated through a few lines of reading towards the end of the book. This did not help further the narrative and for me personally it was so outside the norm for the rest of the book it disrupted the flow. The author should also consider revising the book to reflect the post Kharzi period and Taliban take over of 2021.

Informative and well acted

This is a great book for anyone curious about the context of Afghanistan and how its come to where it is today. Back under Taliban control unfortunately.

Very thorough and entertaining

The book covers a large expanse of history of the land that is now considered Afghanistan. It evaluates the social, societal, and religious reasons for unity or disunity. And it looks to explain why the region is the way that we see it today.

Masterful

Barfield has total mastery of the tribal, cultural, political and anthropological roots of Afghan history. Don’t get turned off by the academic introduction. This is a wonderfully written history of a country woefully misunderstood. Bloodworth’s narration is perfectly modulated and will hold your attention.

Almost fiction

History of Afghanistan is so murky,
It’s hard to know what’s true and what’s not. And The narrator butchered just about every pronunciation, it was a painful listen.

Awful narration

Great content, but possibly the worst narration I've listened to. Inconsistent pronunciation, using absurd accents for quotes, etc.

Interesting content, poor production

The historical background and social context this book brings to its examination of Afghanistan is very interesting. The Audible production, however, is terrible.

The Definitive Volume on Afghanistan

with deep insights, copious first-hand sources, and years of research, Thomas Barfield has crafted a masterpiece.