The best book on Afghanistan I have come across

Very detailed.

This books adds colour to the history of Afghanistan in a way that similar such books by non-Afghan writers have not been able to.

Ansary's cultural understanding, time spent in Afghanistan and stories from his family tell a story very similar and familiar to other Afghans.

Yet still added a valuable perspective and presents well thought arguments.

I hope he writes more books and reads it himself. Hearing him pronounce Afghan words properly was a breath of fresh air in an Audible category of White American men completely butchering the words.

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Intimate history

The authors obvious affection for his country makes this a compelling listen. I found that I was drawn in, getting increasing enjoyment as the story unfolded towards the present.

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A great canter through the history of Afghanistan.

Read (listen) for a great taster of the Afghan psyche.

Expertly narrated by the author, this book gives a fantastic insight into the cultural nuisances of a nation with a troubled history. It's focusses on the numerous warlords, power brokers, strong men and religious leaders who have played a role in running an enigma of a "nation" before during and after the invasions of world powers.

Particually useful for an insight into the Afghan approach to life, regurally explaining logically why the people do what at first glance appears completely illogical from a western perspective.

The only negative I would suggest are some comments relating to the countries current woes are presented as factual but are more likely the authors opinion. Otherwise great if you're coming for a short trip or just plain intrieged by the mysteries of a complicated land.

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Great

Everyone interest in what makes this part of the world tick should read this before listen to FOX or CNN or the BCC

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Gives Afghan perspective in a very accessible way

This does not seek to be an authoratitative history of Afghanistan. The book has a very informal, openly subjective, style, there are a few misunderstandings about other countries, and it only gives the last couple of centuries of Afghan history in any detail. Even within this time-frame, the earlier parts of the book are principally setting the scene for using very recent history to communicate an understanding of contemporary Afghanistan. If you can accept this, and so long as you don't object too strongly to the author's narrative, Games Without Rules is an outstanding book.

--- Rather than simply telling the story of powerful individuals (though it does this too), the book conveys as much of a country's culture as a history book can hope to do, which is essential for a westerner to begin to understand recent events. To pick just one moment within the book, who could fail to empathise with, even be warmed by, Kabul's chorus of "Allahu Akbar" as a rejection of the Soviets? Who could fail to see a link between this and the later direction of Afghanistan's domestic politics? And who could fail to see why the British, Soviets and Americans all had a lot in common, when viewed from the Afghan perspective?

--- Unlike some readers, I appreciated the author's frequent anecdotes and mentions of his own family. Firstly, they helped to give perspectives of slightly more ordinary Afghans (though of course his family are not ordinary), something too lacking from most history books. Secondly, they laid bare biases (for example, why he would be more sympathetic to the USA than to other foreign powers), which all authors have, and which are best placed in the open rather than concealed by artificial distance.

--- The narration is much better than you would expect from the author of a history book. It is an audiobook book that I can equally use as wallpaper, even sleep to, or closely focus on for the fascinating story it tells.

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The best book on Afghanistan

As an Afghan I found this book really informative and extremely well balanced and honest. The author has done a fantastic job in explaining the situation from an Afghan perspective. The explanation of Afghan society and how it has shaped Afghan history is really accurate. I think this can be a very good read for anyone trying to make sense of this country and to understand why it has suffered so much. I can’t recommend this book enough. At the end I want to thank the author Tamim Ansary for his hard work in writing such a masterpiece.

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Master piece of contemporary Afghan history

A must read for those interested in Afghanistan. Fantastically narrated by Tamim Ansary himself - much more powerful.

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Accurate title

This is a fascinating journey through the history of Afghanistan and its people. Thoroughly knowledgeable and eminently readable/listenable, the author quietly and authoritatively relates this complex nation's background, bringing it up to the present day. It is a book that would repay, at least for me, a second reading, because of the complexity of the subject. I recommend it.

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2 people found this helpful

Excellent potted history

A really interesting history of an extremely complex country, written and performed with humour by the author. Thank you.

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1 person found this helpful