Revolutionary Afghanistan: A Reappraisal

by Beverley Male

This book, first published in 1982, examines the reality of the so-called revolution in Afghanistan. It focuses on the career of Hafizullah Amin, considered in the West as a near-genocidal mass murderer, intent on establishing a personal fiefdom in Afghanistan. However, this book argues that he was a man struggling against impossible odds to preserve his country's independence and at the same time drag it into the twentieth century. He commanded such loyalty and support within the Afghanistan Communist Party and the armed forces that the Russians had to invade to get rid of him.

Genres: History, Soviet Union, Middle East, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 18, 1982

Reviews

[Justin Podur]

Yes, as the other reviewer noted, this is a pro-Amin account of Afghan history. Take that into account when you read it, but you will find details here that you won't find anywhere else in English, and I found the writing and storytelling to be extraordinary. I couldn't see Afghanistan the same way after I read this. And I visited Afghanistan about a year after I read this book, and a lot of things made sense to me that would not have made sense otherwise. This book treats Afghanistan like a real country with real politics and people struggling to make change, not like the cartoon of people in caves hating America and wanting to bomb it that we see and read about most of the time.

I recommend it highly.

[Arin Goswami]

What an incredible read outlining the failures of imperialist Communism practiced by the USSR against a fledgling socialist government in Afghanistan. Afghanistan and its people truly have been dealt a terrible card by the universe.

[Noor]

A book written from a pro-Hafizullah Amin perspective that is nevertheless a must read on the PDPA and that Era of Afghanistan.

[Emran Feroz]

Obviously, the author is pro-Amin. Nevertheless, it's a must-read insight about the PDPA, especially for research purposes.

[Dan]

A fascinating look at an extremely complex revolutionary moment in Afghanistan's history.

[Asfandyar Shinwari]

An historically correct absolution of the great revolutionary, Hafeezullah Amin. Also, the only true account of the revolutionary past of Afghanistan, marred by BBCs and CNNs.

[OD OD]

It's very difficult to find histography about the Communist era of Afghanistan pre-Soviet invasion however Beverely Male does it clearly. Despite weaving a biased account in favor of Hafizullah and blaming many of the mistakes and purges on Taraki. She creates an interesting and very well-researched account about PDPA history pre-Soviet invasion and the lives of Karmal, Taraki, and Karmal and the various social factions and formations that existed in their life period. The best things about this book are the descriptions of PDPA land reform which is more interesting than the way it is generally presented and discussed. Highly recommend.

[Derek]

Must read account of the PDPA and the early days of the Afghan Revolution of 1978. Male weaves a very clearly pro-Amin account of the revolution. It's a rather compelling account, although there are certainly instances where it feels as if she is reaching. Some of this is a result primarily of the lack of documentary evidence available to her when she published in the 1980s, during a time when Karmal was still in power and the Soviets occupied the country.