Afghanistan: A Cultural History

by St. John Simpson

While the modern nation can trace its origins back to 1747, the history of Afghanistan is far more ancient. It has long been a focal point of the Silk Road and human migration and many native peoples such as the Kushans, Samanids, Saffarids, and Mughals have founded their empires here. Afghanistan has also been the target of numerous invasions and is therefore one of the most critically diverse places on earth. ?Essential reading for anyone seeking a thorough understanding of the current situation in the region, this lively book places this rich and ancient seam of creativity in its broad historical context and offers the reader a full appreciation of a most remarkable country.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Travel

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2012

Reviews

[Frank Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a fascinating read. When one hears of Afghanistan one thinks war and politics and a backwater until the soviets invaded the country, but this book opens up its rich history, with lots of examples of archaeological finds from the country.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a key message from an Afghan to the British East India Company administrator who was sent there in 1809, "We are content with discord, we are content with alarms, we are content with blood, we will never be content with a master."

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short history, with a lot of emphasis on archeology, architecture and artifacts from the pre-historical and early historical periods. It felt a lot like going to a good museum exhibit about Afghanistan. There is much less information on the more modern time periods, ie from the 1700s onward. The photos are good quality and it is clear that Afghanistan formed from many different cultures as different invaders occupied, then settled in the country, but also because of the extensive trade because the region was part of the Silk Road. I enjoyed the emphasis on the cultural side of things, rather than just politics and wars and it gives you an appreciation for the positive side of what this culture has created.

[Hanif Salim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this as a complement to an exhibition by the British Museum in Perth Australia, it is not about the entire history of Afghanistan but rather from the cultural and archaeological perspectives - looking into the artefacts and accounts of early Afghanistan. Little did I know of the immensively rich cultural history of Afghanistan as well as its landscapes ans geographical features.