The Dust of Kandahar: A Diplomat Among Warriors in Afghanistan

by Jonathan S. Addleton

The Dust of Kandahar" provides a personal account of one diplomat s year of service in America s longest war. Ambassador Addleton movingly describes the everyday human drama of the American soldiers, local tribal dignitaries, government officials, and religious leaders he interacted and worked with in southern Afghanistan.Addleton s writing is at its most vivid in his firsthand account of the April 2013 suicide bombing outside a Zabul school that killed his translator, a fellow Foreign Service officer, and three American soldiers. The memory of this tragedy lingers over Addleton s journal entries, his prose offering poignant glimpses into the interior life of a U.S. diplomat stationed in harm s way.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Memoir

272 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2016

Reviews

[Samantha B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel a little weird reviewing this given that I know next-to-nothing about either the conflict in Afghanistan or diplomacy in general...I just picked up the book because it looked interesting.

But anyhow.

The book was told in near-daily journal entries by a diplomat in Afghanistan during 2013-2014. It did an excellent job of showing daily life, and I learned a lot, about diplomacy and the conflict in Afghanistan.

There were a few parts that felt dry and/or repetitive, but overall I enjoyed the book.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for GR.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book certainly has its place among a growing library on U.S. engagement in Afghanistan. Though less insightful and reflective than a lot of the recent writing on Afghanistan by academics and journalists, it provides a good sense of the day-t0-day life of a senior diplomat living in southern Afghanistan during a pivotal point in U.S. civilian engagement in the south. About seven months into his tour in Afghanistan, Addleton survived a suicide attack that resulted in the death of a young foreign service officer, Addleton's Afghan-American translator, and three members of the U.S. military. He returned to work shortly after the attack and his account of the remnants of trauma he faced merits continued discussion about the effect of PTSD on civilians and military alike. Written in diary form, this book often reads like an annotated version of a work calendar and wouldn't be a good introductory or stand-alone read for anyone who is interested in Afghanistan. However, it is a unique look into the life of a diplomat working in intense and volatile conditions and complements well other literature on Afghanistan that is grounded in deeper history and offers more perspective on U.S. foreign policy.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a raw diary of the author's time in Afghanistan. While it lacks the depth of a normal book it is an unedited feed into the daily activity of a State Department employee in the most backwards of places...at least backwards to us. I thought of my time in Iraq and can relate to many of the discussions. The ramp ceremonies of the fallen, the corruption of the locals, the frustration of doling money out to a thankless population that wants more, and oh by the way, they want to kill you. All in a days work. The most devastating part of the book is when some of his colleagues are killed in an IED attack. I can almost see it myself. I can understand his emotions. And I can understand it since I have been in similar situations. This is a welcome diplomat view of the war. It does lack depth but I found it exciting nonetheless.

[Sam Schreiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A view of America's longest war from a high ranking civil servant. Addleton gives us the sights, sounds, food and feeling of being in a war through a diplomat's eyes. Valuable to anyone understanding how little our military knows about the culture and how important the cultivating the right friends in the region will be to the success of the mission.

[Sahib Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A persistent effort must have been involved in writing this daily, like a diary. It almost reads like a novel, except that the villain is not defeated -- might call it an open-ended story. But it is non-fiction.

[Wes F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this personal reflection journal of a book that gives some great insights into the political & military life, over the year (2012-2013) that the author spent living in Kandahar. I was living in Afghanistan at the same time (in Kabul), and had the privilege of traveling to many places across the country. I did not get down to Kandahar during those years, but had made several trips to Kandahar early on--between 2003 & 2007. Addleton's perspective & viewpoint was very different from mine-and so it was very interesting to get his side of the on-going Afghan story--through the eyes of a diplomat, always surrounded by "warriors" of the US & other militaries. I remember reading about the tragic suicide bombing attack in Zabul in 2013--now through Addleton's pen, I feel like I was there and lived through it. A miracle that he survived; God has further plans for his life, that's for sure.