On the Road to Kandahar: Travels through conflict in the Islamic world

by Jason Burke

A brilliant, fearless journalist who knows huge areas of the Islamic world intimately, Burke now turns to the wider question of how we are to get to grips with radical Islam and what it really means. Burke has travelled all over the great arc of Islamic land, from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, and he uses this in his new book to great effect to show how various and completely unmonolithic Islam really is and how the sort of standard Western generalizations about it are both stupid and dangerous.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle East, Travel, Politics, Journalism, Islam, History

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Jason Burke (born 1970) is a British journalist and the author of several non-fiction books. A correspondent covering Africa for The Guardian, he is currently based in Johannesburg, having previously been based in New Delhi as the same paper's South Asia correspondent.

Reviews

[Rajiv Chopra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite an excellent book, one that I would not ordinarily have picked up. However, what I like, is that Jason shows a rare sensitivity when writing this book. He displays no antagonism to the people he meets on the road.
His interpretations of what he sees, is subtle. He also takes the time to try and understand the people, and have real conversations with them. In doing so, he shows us a real glimpse of what is actually happening in the region.
When he says, for instance, that Iraqis just want to put food on the table, we are suddenly reminded that we are all the same under the skin.
We often look at people through the eyes of religion, not through the eyes of humanity. He brings this to the fore.
A very good book, one well worth the read.

[naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is journalism at it's finest. it makes you relize how little you know about the middle east. their tradditions, their history and their faith. a great book without the american propaganda in so many journalst can't stay away from.

[Naveed Qazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intricate narrative. It was worth a read. There are stark complexities behind any form of extremism, and bastardising peace and prosperity, as an excuse, is something we learn from non fiction related to religious extremism.

[Juha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jason Burke is Chief Reporter for the Observer in London. He has written a superb book about conflict and violence in the Islamic world, an area he is thoroughly familiar with having worked and travelled in the region since 1991. Burke’s analysis of the causes and consequences of violence and militancy is nuanced, thoughtful and based on years of interviews, field work and reflection. Yet he never writes as an apologist for the militant Islamists or terrorists. Unlike many journalists, Burke has made an effort to learn about Islam and has also studied Arabic and Urdu. The book is quite lively as Burke describes his travels, excursions into combat zones, and contacts and interviews with a wide range of actors that include Islamic clerics, jailed terrorists, Kurdish rebels, and various thinkers in the field.

While the subtitle of the book refers to the “Islamic World” the bulk of the book is focused on Afghanistan, Iraq and, in particular, Kurdistan. Burke has specific sympathies towards the Kurds and their plight, although he does recognize how hard it has been for the Kurdish nation to find a common voice. The book does contain brief excursions to other parts of the Islamic world: Palestine-Israel, Algeria, Kashmir and southern Thailand. These are amongst the most interesting parts of the book and I wish Burke had spent more time and space discussing them.

Burke’s goal has been to understand militant Islam and to find explanations to the anger and the ensuing violent acts committed by a generation of Islamists. He makes some poignant observations, distinguishing between grievances based in particular situations in specific places (Kurdistan, Palestine-Israel, Egypt, Chechnya, Algeria) and the globalized Islamic extremism often practiced by alienated and frustrated young men from Europe or the middle classes in places like Saudi Arabia. He also draws sharp parallels between the left-wing terrorist movements of the 1960s and 1970s, as well as the right-wing extremism ranging from the original Nazis to the still-existing neo-Nazism. He arrives at a conclusion that “it is the grievance that comes first and is voiced within whatever discourse is available and makes sense at the time.”

At the end of the book, Jason Burke summarizes his experience thus: “For a long time I had tried to find some kind of general theory that would unlock the secret of ‘Islamic militancy’ and I suddenly realized it was impossible to do so. There was no single answer. Indeed the point was that there was no single answer.” 'On the Road to Kandahar' is a thoughtful book that is worth reading for anyone who is concerned about the issues pertaining to the conflict with Islam, its causes, and how we should attempt to deal with it.

[Danial Tanvir · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was nice , i enjoyed reading it.


it is about a british man who travels in muslim countries such as iraq,pakistan and afghanistan and he has written about his travels and what he experienced.it is based in the islamic world.

he talks abour 9/11 and about the afghanistan and iraq war.
he ends the book by talking about the londong bombing in 2005.
i liked this book .

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative:
Non-fiction not being my preference and this not exactly being a subject I was particularly interested in reading about (I am clearing my bookshelves), I was very pleasantly surprised. It was a fascinating introduction to what is going on in everyday lives in the Middle East and West Asia. We were reminded often that it is by no means everyone who is a radical extremist and given some insight into why (in Jason Burke's view) people may turn to violence or radicalism. What came over more strongly though was the humanity of the ordinary person and how they often have many of the same concerns as anyone else. Wonderful descriptions of the countries both cities and rural. I have passed the book on almost immediately to a friend. It's the sort of book you feel people should read.

[BMWA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful journey through the Middle East, Afghanistan, North Africa and Asia as the author reports on the conflicts and mayhem that engulfed these areas and indeed still do some. Dispelling and confirming stereotypes on both sides of the wars human decency and honour will win out in the end. A recommended read if you're interested in learning more about what's behind some of the major ongoing the conflicts of the 21st century.

[Erik Ryberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful journalistic survey of radicalism and its various roots. Burke remains one of the few journalists not chained to the left or right, but clings to a moderation that is needed today. While this text is a bit out of date, due to its publication in 2006, the investigation and stories he tell are still important and cover causation.

[ania · Rating 4 out of 5]

'It is usually true that the closer you get to something, particularly war, the less you know.'

'I made universal "go faster" signals at the driver. He made universal "I am going as fast as I can" signals back.'

[Alec · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books of all time. Insightful, grappling, and humbling

[Peter Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent view of violence in the Muslim world and its roots

[Michael MacEachern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valuable individual insights

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting look into the issues in the Islamic world through the 90s and 2000s, and the changes that happened over the years during Burke's time as a correspondent.

[Emmett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burke's second book is an anecdotal account of his, at the time, decade and a half of work in the Middle East, South Asia, North Africa, and other war ravaged parts of the world. Burke's incredible drive to expose the reality of these conflicts is a constant as he retells stories of being pursued by armed men through the streets of Zakho in the Kurdish North of Iraq, ducking from tank fire on the Taliban's front lines outside of Kabul, or escaping from Pakistani border security in a taxi race up a mountain. Burke's capacity for empathy is what is most remarkable about his work. He manages to maintain relations with all sides of conflict, sometimes finding himself on opposite lines of battle on consecutive journeys, which allows him to tell a complete story. Although not without convictions, he is thoughtful with all of his subjects and is successful in drawing truths out of many who would otherwise scoff at western reporters. He profiles young jihadis, some of whom were slated for martyrdom, and while not condoning their intentions, he is empathetic. Burke's book is an excellent window into some of the major conflicts still waging throughout the Islamic world. For a more serious look at the history of radical Islam, Burke's book Al Qaeda is a thorough and engaging read.

[Sanjay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Towards the end of the 1991 Gulf War, Jason Burke and a friend arrived in Iraq to fight for the Kurds. They were all of 21 – ah, the headiness of youth. Surviving skirmishes and a kidnap attempt, Burke went on to become a respected foreign correspondent and in this book, he tells tales of his experiences and encounters in the Islamic world, from Kabul to Islamabad to Baghdad to Basra and more. This is leavened by Burke’s attempts to show that Islamic fundamentalism has complex causes and comes in more guises than can be explained by a simple demonizing of al-Qaeda’s leadership. His keen reportorial sensibility is mediated by analytic ability, such as when he scrutinises the many public images of Saddam Hussain and points out what they mean. Well-written, engaging and more than occasionally enlightening, though clearly falling between the two stools of memoir and polemic.

[Pranjal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Burke's experiences and observations on Pakistan and Afghanistan are an enjoyable and informative read. He adds a lot of details and colour to the content of his book on Al Qaeda, so while some sections may seem similar, it's still worth checking out both. The second half of the book, on Iraq, seemed a bit too emotive and less considered overall, but it's worth sticking with it if only to read about his interview with an Iraqi militant. I don't think we'd agree too much politically, and many of his conclusions don't sit too well with me (and goodness, I wish he'd examine Britain and 'the West' more critically before making them)... but I still think he's done some important work and been through some crazy experiences that are worth a read.

[RJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, lucid, and very fair book on conflict in the Islamic world. Written by a British journalist, this book circumvents the entrenched and politicized views prevalent in America, including those surrounding Afghanistan, the Iraq War, and 9/11 itself.

My only real complaint about this book is the arbitrary use of commas (or failure to use commas) throughout most of the first half of the book. Presumably he's employing some kind of journalistic rule for comma use, but whatever it is, it results in confusing and convoluted sentences. Then, around chapter 5, commas reappear in the correct places. Weird.

[Arun Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book very well the reflects the conflicts that arise in the Islamic World purely because of the ideals of the koran and the preachers that motivate young men to die in battle. Jason Burke very efficiently highlights the problems faced by people in conflict ridden regions like Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The book even though excellent is slow in plot as compared to the earlier novels, especially the 9/11 wars. Overall its an excellent read for all those who wish to understand the lives of people in confluct ridden areas and the problems that the incessant waging of 'JIhad' creates in the modern world.

[Vikas Datta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous account that needs to be read by anyone who wants to make sense of this tortured region and its dynamics.... Mr Burke entwines some personal, at times hair-rising, escapades with some keen insights born out of his long experience of the region and its people and his empathy... the descriptions of Afghanistan, Iraq (especially the Kurd areas), Palestine, Pakistan are extraordinarily vivid and need to be read to get a feel of these areas....

[Gilda · Rating 4 out of 5]

quite refreshing - a book which tells of a hands-on experience of worlds, ideologies and themes which are broadly debated but very few persons know directly. Personal and impartial and at the same time. Lots of food for thought.

[Ginnybean]

Quite interesting and factual to see a real human face and diversity behind the label of "Islam" through Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kashmir etc...however, perhaps due to the jornalistic view, it seemed a bit detached and lacking bit of an emotional touch to the book..

[Rui Igreja · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the guy who wrote Al-Qaeda, and who has lived and travelled extensively in the "Islamic World", a perspective from inside of this world. A very interesting book in my opinion, very much about what is/has been going on in Afghanistan and Iraq.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for those interested in the Middle East. It give the reader a good overview of Islam and what is happening in a part of,the world that we westerners really know little about.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to introduce readers to the different practices of Muslims. Also thought provoking because of US policy towards Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.

[Valerie Ruud · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm amazed this naive reporter actually survived.

[Steven Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Makes you realise when reading it just how lazy and sensationalist newspaper and television journalists are.

[Alexandre Gadelha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livro essencial para tomar contato e começar a gostar do tema.

[Zainab Moazzam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting accounts of local tribal stories. Weaves culture with religion in a manner that gives only positive vibes..

[Martin Willoughby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why use one word when twenty will do.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

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