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18th out of 161 books
—
70 voters
Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia
by
Ahmed Rashid
Shrouding themselves and their aims in deepest secrecy, the leaders of the Taliban movement control Afghanistan with an inflexible, crushing fundamentalism. The most extreme and radical of all Islamic organizations, the Taliban inspires fascination, controversy, and especially fear in both the Muslim world and the West. Correspondent Ahmed Rashid brings the shadowy world o...more
Paperback, 294 pages
Published
February 8th 2001
by Yale University Press
(first published March 11th 2000)
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HANNO FATTO UN DESERTO E LO HANNO CHIAMATO PACE
Ho sentito parlare di Ahmed Rashid per la prima volta da Daniele Mastrogiacomo, in occasione della presentazione del suo bel libro 'I giorni della paura': Daniele ne parlava come di un grande conoscitore del mistero talebano, un must per chiunque volesse saperne di più su questo argomento.
Rashid appartiene a un'ottima scuola di giornalismo, la migliore, secondo me l'unica: quella che si fa sul campo, andando, camminando, incontrando, parlando, inter...more
Ho sentito parlare di Ahmed Rashid per la prima volta da Daniele Mastrogiacomo, in occasione della presentazione del suo bel libro 'I giorni della paura': Daniele ne parlava come di un grande conoscitore del mistero talebano, un must per chiunque volesse saperne di più su questo argomento.
Rashid appartiene a un'ottima scuola di giornalismo, la migliore, secondo me l'unica: quella che si fa sul campo, andando, camminando, incontrando, parlando, inter...more
I was prompted to read this by Rashid’s later work ,Descent Into Chaos. Where did the Taliban actually form, when, why. How did the Taliban grow to be the force it would become? There is much information here that helps make sense of what seems senseless. In a nation ruled by a bloody coterie of warlords constantly demanding payment from a much oppressed populace, constantly engaging in battles with each other, constantly undermining any possibility of rule of law, when a group emerges that appe...more
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I remember buying 5 copies of this book in October of 2001, devouring it in a day, and copying two chapters and passing them out to anyone that would stop by my office.
It is still the definitive account of the rise and demise of the Taliban. (Although Michael Griffen's Reaping the whirlwind: The Taliban Movement in Afghanistan tells the same story in more poetic form.
This book made Rashid a player in policy circles and in world class journalism. You can catch him twice a year on Terry Gross'...more
It is still the definitive account of the rise and demise of the Taliban. (Although Michael Griffen's Reaping the whirlwind: The Taliban Movement in Afghanistan tells the same story in more poetic form.
This book made Rashid a player in policy circles and in world class journalism. You can catch him twice a year on Terry Gross'...more
Great read. Interesting and important. Rashid was ahead of his time, with this book published before 09-11. He makes a convincing point that the Taliban took advantage of an environment that the world community abandoned. Also, he ably points out how the Taliban are effin' a-holes (my words, but it's true). However, seeing what has happened in Afghanistan and Iraq more convincingly tells me that there is probably no helping Afghanistan, and that MAYBE if the US and other countries did try to "fi...more
Fantastic book published in March of 2001 (with a 2010 aftwerward). Rashid could read the writing on the wall, even if it seems like he was the only one paying attention. Filled with details even the Old Man didn't know- particularly concerning the pipeline competition going on pre-9/11. Fascinating look at a country no one really has a handle on, but this author might have the best handle- he's been imprisoned by several Afghan regimes in his time. He whines a bit about how the US failed to sav...more
Aug 13, 2009
Mike
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Mike by:
those with hearts cold, bleeding, or otherwise
The Taliban are an armed bunch of louts who see the world as a figurative sheep waiting to be fucked by the awesome power of their backwoods version of Islam. Their favorite point of entry has been in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region, and they took particular delight in shafting Kabul, treating it as just a larger version of the shithole village they probably grew up in, making all the men grow bears and forcing all the women from the streets. Never mind these clowns have no idea how to run a civ...more
Sep 08, 2012
Travis
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
general-history,
politics
As good a portrait of the Taliban as you can find anywhere, written by a journalist with an unprecedented amount of access to a very secretive organization.
The book is split into three parts. The first part covers the Taliban's rise to power from 1994-2001. The second part covers different aspects of the Taliban's organization and ideology, with one chapter offering a scathing indictment of the Taliban's attempt to essentially imprison women in their homes and bar them completely from the publ...more
The book is split into three parts. The first part covers the Taliban's rise to power from 1994-2001. The second part covers different aspects of the Taliban's organization and ideology, with one chapter offering a scathing indictment of the Taliban's attempt to essentially imprison women in their homes and bar them completely from the publ...more
This book is an interesting short read of the origin and the creation of the Taliban and the outside forces that shaped it.
After reading this book, I am now convinced that the war on terror really rests on a stable Afghanistan and Pakistan. I think Bush should have concentrated on Afghanistan and Pakistan instead of going into Iraq. Given the close ties of ISI to the TAliban/Sunni Islamic terrorist group, I would have been more concerned with the terrorist getting weapons of mass destruction fr...more
After reading this book, I am now convinced that the war on terror really rests on a stable Afghanistan and Pakistan. I think Bush should have concentrated on Afghanistan and Pakistan instead of going into Iraq. Given the close ties of ISI to the TAliban/Sunni Islamic terrorist group, I would have been more concerned with the terrorist getting weapons of mass destruction fr...more
Se ritenete che le informazioni che leggete sui giornali o sentite ai telegiornali sui talebani, l'Afghanistan e la regione circostante non siano sufficienti (e non lo sono), allora leggete questo libro. E' fatto bene, esauriente nella descrizione della nascita del movimento talebano, le cause che lo hanno favorito, guerre civili, tensioni sociali ed economiche, influenze sinistre di tutti i paesi confinanti, soprattutto il Pachistan. Poi la sottovalutazione, se non menefreghismo delle potenze o...more
Everybody who uses oil or heroin should read this book.
It is certainly written by a journalist as it reads like an article-albeit a long article-on the players in the Taliban circa 1999 and before. Ahmed goes into exhaustive detail on background, history, geography and psychology of the people and region. The amount of information seemed perfect for the narrative that follows.
The Taliban are strict adherents to Sharia law, which seems to value behavior, even over human life. They come off as unr...more
It is certainly written by a journalist as it reads like an article-albeit a long article-on the players in the Taliban circa 1999 and before. Ahmed goes into exhaustive detail on background, history, geography and psychology of the people and region. The amount of information seemed perfect for the narrative that follows.
The Taliban are strict adherents to Sharia law, which seems to value behavior, even over human life. They come off as unr...more
The writer, a journalist, lays out the details clearly and succinctly. Many of the names were not familiar, and yet I was able to follow the chapters and retain their names and roles exceptionally well.
Provides a background of the Afghan-Russian conflict (circa Charlie Wilson's war). Continues through to the aftermath and how the US's disinterest and lack of financial support laid the foundation for the Taliban to rise. The Taliban were a direct result of the chieftains/muhajadeen who had no fun...more
Provides a background of the Afghan-Russian conflict (circa Charlie Wilson's war). Continues through to the aftermath and how the US's disinterest and lack of financial support laid the foundation for the Taliban to rise. The Taliban were a direct result of the chieftains/muhajadeen who had no fun...more
Story:
The books covers the origins and rise of the Taliban from a journalist who was there and lived it.
Thoughts:
Another excellent book on Afghanistan. It further highlights how all the nations in the region jockeyed to create an Afghanistan government/leadership that would be friendly to them. Then use this government to secure deals for resources and be a friendly ally for future conflicts. No one cared how the Taliban really treated its citizens or that they developed camps to train foreign f...more
The books covers the origins and rise of the Taliban from a journalist who was there and lived it.
Thoughts:
Another excellent book on Afghanistan. It further highlights how all the nations in the region jockeyed to create an Afghanistan government/leadership that would be friendly to them. Then use this government to secure deals for resources and be a friendly ally for future conflicts. No one cared how the Taliban really treated its citizens or that they developed camps to train foreign f...more
The research for this book is obviously extensive. Rashid has been a reporter in Afghanistan for decades and he has interviewed everyone from Taliban officials and soldiers, US officials, Northern Alliance members, politicians in Karzai's government, and regular civilians. And he remains fairly objective throughout which is impressive. He is somewhat critical of the Bush Administration however. Who would've thought Bush and his advisors lacked foresight. After the Taliban fell, the leadership es...more
An excellent book, charting the history of the Taliban up to 2000. Shows how those countries who have faced the greatest challenges from the rise of the Taliban were those who gave them the most support during their rise, due to deluded views of their national interests. Pakistan in the search for strategic depth against India has lost much of the north-west to islamic fundamentalists, the Saudis efforts to export Wahhabism have led to a fundamentalist challenge against then at home and Americas...more
You’ve read Taliban, the dense, influential book by superstar reporter and author Ahmed Rashid, right? Of course you have, everybody has. And everybody seems to have it on their bookshelf, displayed prominently as proof of their interest and expertise in Afghanistan.
In March 2009, the European Journal of Communication asked citizens of Britain, Denmark, Finland, and the U.S. to answer questions on international affairs. The Europeans clobbered America. Sixty-eight percent of Danes, 75 percent o...more
In March 2009, the European Journal of Communication asked citizens of Britain, Denmark, Finland, and the U.S. to answer questions on international affairs. The Europeans clobbered America. Sixty-eight percent of Danes, 75 percent o...more
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This book is immensly impressive on so many levels. First and foremost, I am amazed by author's ability to deconstruct an incredibly complex conflict and present a clear and consist picture of a chain of events that has managed to baffle best and brightest politicians and media personalities for almost three decades. What's even more important, Mr. Rashid manages to do that while maintaining strict objectivity and neutrality. At the time when Afghanistan, phenomenon of Islamic extremism and step...more
Jun 30, 2009
Lauren
is currently reading it
This book was a national bestseller, and the award-winning author (actually a Pakistani journalist) has continued to attract attention with his recent publications. I would recommend, if you choose not to read this particular book, that you read some published piece by Rashid. Rashid provides intimate details into the velocity and pursuit of the Taliban, so that his readers may form their own opinions of the group. I would encourage every human being to investigate this group of Afghan students,...more
**BREAKING NEWS**………………**BREAKING NEWS**………………**BREAKING NEWS**………………
Announcer Brett: “Folks, we go our reporter in the field, R.V. Winkle, now for some breaking news. What have you got for us Rip?”
Reporter R.V. Winkle: “Brett, I have just finished this outstanding book, “Taliban”, and we need to do something about these guys, they are bad people!”
Announcer Brett: “Rip, you are a decade late, go back to sleep you idiot”
Ok, I have no excuse for not reading this book until more than 10 years after...more
Announcer Brett: “Folks, we go our reporter in the field, R.V. Winkle, now for some breaking news. What have you got for us Rip?”
Reporter R.V. Winkle: “Brett, I have just finished this outstanding book, “Taliban”, and we need to do something about these guys, they are bad people!”
Announcer Brett: “Rip, you are a decade late, go back to sleep you idiot”
Ok, I have no excuse for not reading this book until more than 10 years after...more
5 likes · like · see review
I had asked my father to enquire amongst his friends in Indian Armed Services, to refer me a fairly reliable book on the subject of Taliban. I was told to get my hands on this one, and I must say I am extremely grateful for the recommendation.
This book has been written by a Pakistani journalist, and it goes to very minute details. Not only are the historical events traced and described in full gore and horror, also explained are the various geopolitical dynamics around the globe. It is extremely...more
This book has been written by a Pakistani journalist, and it goes to very minute details. Not only are the historical events traced and described in full gore and horror, also explained are the various geopolitical dynamics around the globe. It is extremely...more
I got this book from my landlord who used to work for many different oil companies. He especially wanted to tell me about the "new great game" between competing Russia and the West for Central Asia and the Middle East. It was basically to explain the motivations of the West in invading Afghanistan and Iraq for petrol. This book is probably the best book on the Taliban and the history of Afghanistan, a diverse and compllicated mish mash of various ethnicities that have turned into competing group...more
EXCELLENT. Ahmed Rashid untangles the knots and points out who the players were and are. However, I doubt many who make US Foreign Policy decision have read it. Rashid calls out all of those who have created this monster and gives many of their motives. I have to admit I was unaware of the Unocal connection to the Taliban - or the Argentinian firm, Bridas and their wooing of the Taliban. If you are a student of Foreign Policy, History, or detective stories, Rashid delivers.
Very astute analysis...more
Very astute analysis...more
This book was incredibly well-researched and very, very informative on how the Taliban won (and lost) battles in Afghanistan's civil war, as well as issues that arose up until 2000. What I found lacking was the formation of the Taliban -- I wish there had been a little more time spent on those early years with the same level of detail as given to the later years. The book also suffers for me in comparisons to Ghost Wars and The Looming Tower, which I was not able to put down. All of that said, I...more
The information about the existing (in 2011) conflict in Afghanistan, the relationship the country has with its' neighbors and the place that has in the world stage is interesting! Sadly, not much has changed in the 10 years since the book was published (not much good at least).
Understanding the history of the people, the governments and the conflicts present in the region provides some excellent pointers to why and how the US has continued to screw up it's foreign policy in this region. Neglect...more
Understanding the history of the people, the governments and the conflicts present in the region provides some excellent pointers to why and how the US has continued to screw up it's foreign policy in this region. Neglect...more
Not a book for a casual read, this book's encyclopedic recital of the political development of the Taliban since the 1980's is intriguing but very limited in scope. I thought it would take a more historical approach but then I realized the author is a journalist. His style is designed more to give a detailed retelling of the facts. Being a historian, I was a little disappointed by the lack of historical inferences drawn. Identifying long-term cause and effect seemed to play a secondary role with...more
I was reading prior to 9-11....and when 9-11 happened I knew that the Taliban had helped the man who didn't....they started out a kinda police-justice force under Mullah Omar and aided by desperate people tired of a decade of war, the Taliban became force to be reckoned with. Mullah Omar appeared in Muhammed's cloak to provide him with more religious authority and a wealthy Arab with money provided Omar with ability to consilidate Afghanistan except Ahmah Shah Moosod who Al Qaeda took care of th...more
Non-fiction about the history and present of Afghanistan. Written before 9/11, it gives a clear picture of why events turned out the way it did. At times heavy and gloomy reading, it is nevertheless very interesting. The author’s conclusions may be a biased, but it is hard to argue the fact that foreign influence (or lack of it) in Afghanistan served the purposes of the emerging Taliban regime. One could almost see this as a sort of manual in how not to perform foreign policy.
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Shrouding themselves and their aims in deepest secrecy, the leaders of the Taliban movement control Afghanistan with an inflexible, crushing fundamentalism. The most extreme and radical of all Islamic organizations, the Taliban inspires fascination, controversy, and especially fear in both the Muslim world and the West. Correspondent Ahmed Rashid brings the shadowy world of the Taliban into sharp focus in this enormously interesting and revealing book. It is the only authoritative account of the...more
I finally finished reading this book about a week ago, but haven't had time to write anything about it until now. Despite how long it took me, it's a very readable book and an excellent source of background information on Afghan history and the Taliban.
The book was published in 2000, which is one of my favorite things about it. It contains what seems like a realistic view of the capabilities of and threats posed by the Taliban, captured before September 11th happened and the entire world went c...more
The book was published in 2000, which is one of my favorite things about it. It contains what seems like a realistic view of the capabilities of and threats posed by the Taliban, captured before September 11th happened and the entire world went c...more
What I read in this book made me ashamed to be a member of the human race.
For thirty years the people of Afghanistan have suffered mass death, destruction of their lands and homes, privation, dislocation, and exploitation by foreign powers. From my comfortable life in New Jersey I wonder how people can maintain a civilization after so much damage has been done.
In "Taliban," Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid details the political history of the mysterious group of Islamic theology students educat...more
For thirty years the people of Afghanistan have suffered mass death, destruction of their lands and homes, privation, dislocation, and exploitation by foreign powers. From my comfortable life in New Jersey I wonder how people can maintain a civilization after so much damage has been done.
In "Taliban," Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid details the political history of the mysterious group of Islamic theology students educat...more
After reading The Kite Runner, I felt compelled to learn more about Afghanistan and it's history. So, I went to the library and came home with this.
I think this is an important book for anyone who wants to understand the Taliban, the Middle East, and the United States' history of foreign policy choices in that region. It is particularly interesting because it was written in 2000, a year before the 9/11 attacks. This fact alone contributes to its authenticity, and untainted journalism.
By reading...more
I think this is an important book for anyone who wants to understand the Taliban, the Middle East, and the United States' history of foreign policy choices in that region. It is particularly interesting because it was written in 2000, a year before the 9/11 attacks. This fact alone contributes to its authenticity, and untainted journalism.
By reading...more
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| Rashid's account of the origin of the Hazaras | 1 | 14 | Mar 29, 2011 03:19pm |
Son of Ahmed (an engineer) and Piari (a homemaker) Rashid; married Angeles Espino Perez- Hurtado, 1982; children: Raphael, Sara Bano. Education: Attended Government College, Lahore, Pakistan, 1966- 68, and Cambridge University, 1968-70; earned B.A. and M.A. Religion: Muslim. Addresses: Homeoffice: Lahore Cant., Pakistan. E-mail: review@brain.net.pk.
Career: Journalist and broadcaster. Correspondent...more
More about Ahmed Rashid...
Career: Journalist and broadcaster. Correspondent...more
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“Afghanistan is not only the mirror of the Afghans: it is the mirror of the world. 'If you do not like the image in the mirror, do not break the mirror, break your face,' says an old Persian proverb.”
—
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