I enjoyed the book, and thought that Michener did a good job in giving a snapshot of the country at a point in time (1946). However, I was somewhat disappointed that Michener focused on Afghanistan in the year 1946, rather than the year in which he wrote the book, which was 1963. However, he added an update at the end of the book: Note to the reader (an update on Afghanistan between 1946 and 1963) from Michener (paraphrased): Much Russian and American money has been given to Afghanistan. There are schools built and an airport in Kandahar. Many foreign leaders have visited, including Eisenhower in 1959. Many women have married Afghans and now can travel back and forth unabated. However, the travel of the Kochis has been restricted. They cannot enter Russia or China. The 2 executions described are no longer common. Michener lists the various trips he has taken around the area, nine in number. In 1959 women were encouraged to stop wearing the chaderi. Many did, but many others continued to wear it. In nearby Iran, a plebiscite was held in 1963 on modernization. Under the guidance of the Shah at that time, Iran was about 50 years ahead of Afghanistan in social change. The vote was about 4000 to 1 in favor of modernization. Of course, Michener could not foresee Iran reverting to religious fanaticism and women being put back into slavery in the late 1970s.