Confessions of a Mullah Warrior

By: Masood Farivar

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

Masood Farivar was 10 years old when his childhood in peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan was shattered by the Soviet invasion in 1979. He fled to Pakistan with his family and came of age in a madrassah for refugees. At 18, he defied his parents and returned home to join the jihad, fighting beside not only the Afghan mujahideen but also Arab and Pakistani volunteers. Farivar was stationed at Tora Bora and spent the next two years training for, fighting in, and reporting on the conflict.

After the Soviets pulled out of Afghanistan in 1989, Farivar made his way from the caves of Tora Bora to Lawrenceville School, a private academy in suburban New Jersey, where he spent a year shoring up his academic credentials before moving on to Harvard. After graduating from Harvard with a degree in history and politics, Farivar traveled the United States by car and finally moved to New York City to pursue a career in journalism.

During his ten years in the city, he witnessed the horror of 9/11, made several heartbreaking trips home to visit his family, and was ultimately propelled home for good in 2007. He now serves his country by running a national radio program.At a time when the war in Afghanistan is the focus of renewed attention, and its outcome is more crucial than ever to our own security, Farivar draws on his unique experience as a native Afghan, a former mujahideen fighter, and a longtime U.S. resident to provide unprecedented insight into the ongoing collision between Islam and the West. This is a visceral, clear-eyed, and illuminating memoir from an indispensable new voice on the world stage.

©2009 Masood Farivar (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Still can't understand Afghanistan

I found the parts about his time in the States interesting. But the parts about Afghanistan didn't make any sense, and I ended up frustrated.

I got the clear impression that it is a violent and chaotic place, but not much else. Why he would want to go back there, I cannot imagine. Was he trying to be another martyr?

I could listen to this story many times

What did you love best about Confessions of a Mullah Warrior?

Perhaps Masood Farivar knew what parts of his life might be interesting to others. There is a lot of humor in this book - very dry humor which I love. It is a biography of the life of someone who's home land is Afganistan. It was a window to his world and not just what all he did and where he was but about how he felt about things: thoughts and feelings. Mr. Farivar is a very good story teller.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Confessions of a Mullah Warrior?

The author weaves the story like any good storyteller. Like how he talks about his beard at different times throughout the story. He is very respectful of everyone he talks about and his humor is woven into the story like an artist.

Have you listened to any of Christopher Lane’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have never heard Christopher Lane as far as I know but I would look for his name as someone I enjoy listening to. He sounded like he was the author himself. He knew just how to read it and the inflections in the right places.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about the world we live in.