Invisible History: Afghanistan's Untold Story

by Paul Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Gould, Sima Wali (Introduction)

Despite official declarations, the war in Afghanistan is far from over; in fact, it’s escalating. Seven years after 9/11, the Taliban continue to regroup, attack and claim influence over most of the region. This book presents a fresh, comprehensive analysis of Afghanistan’s political history that begins at the roots of tribal leadership and ultimately emphasizes our present political moment and the impact of ongoing US military intervention. Paul Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Gould , a husband and wife team, first went to Afghanistan in 1981 and have reported for CBS News , Nightline and The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour . Their documentary Between Three Worlds was broadcast by PBS.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Middle East

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

PAUL FITZGERALD and ELIZABETH GOULD, a husband and wife team, began their experience in Afghanistan in 1981 for CBS News and produced a documentary, Afghanistan Between Three Worlds, for PBS. In 1983 they returned for ABC Nightline and contributed to the MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour. They have continued to research, write and lecture about Afghanistan history and U.S. foreign policy since."

Reviews

[R.K. Cowles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/4 stars

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly dense, with a cast of characters that is sometimes hard to keep track of, this analysis of the quagmire that Western engagement with Afghanistan is both exhaustingly thorough and heartbreaking. Be it from British Great Game intrigue, Cold War terror-mongering, or its own hapless leadership, this struggling country can't seem to catch a break. Our modern world is still dealing with the repercussions of Colonial boondoggles that have yet to be rectified. Each era seems to set of another domino chain of tragedy, right up to Obama's latest efforts.

Absolutely required reading for those who wish to attempt to make sense of the nonsensical actions occurring in the Grave of Empires.

[Weavre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and detailed overview that provides invaluable perspective on a lot of what's happening now. Since we're spending a lot of our tax dollars in Afghanistan and Pakistan right now, and since real human beings are living, laughing, loving, suffering, and dying there, it's important to understand the region. This book contributed a great deal to my on understanding of the history of this very important part of the world.

It was also verrrrry slow reading for me. I'm not a particularly good student of history, especially when names of both people and places are so unfamiliar to me. The effort was worth it, though. :)

OFL 958.1 FIT

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally read this a decade after it was published. I also watched the documentary on YouTube.
So sad..

[Joel Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely sad to read, but highly informative and insightful.

[City Lights Booksellers & Publishers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunday Gazette Mail

"Invisible History provides a wealth of often generally-unknown details about the tribal and ethnic alliances that created current divisions and government instability."
—Paul J. Nyden

Nexus Magazine

"To understand Afghanistan's tragic circumstances, this well-documented book by journalists Paul Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Gould is essential reading. . . . The authors urge US leaders to learn from the Soviet experience and adjust their policies to help the Afghan people regain their independence, especially from foreign-supported extremism, before it is too late. Engaging reportage."
—Ruth Parnell

Book News Inc.

"Fitzgerald and Gould (journalists who have been reporting on Afghanistan and US policy towards Afghanistan since 1981) narrate the political history of Afghanistan and provide a critical analysis of US policy towards Afghanistan. They reveal the manipulations of Afghanistan by the United States and other great powers from the 'Great Game' of the 19th century through the current 'War on Terror' and describe its terrible consequences for the Afghan people."

Hour.ca

"In Invisible History: Afghanistan's Untold Story, journalists Paul Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Gould outline striking historical accounts of an ancient nation, its borders shaped through colonial wars and conflicts between empires. Their style is reflective yet factual, delving into Afghanistan's key role in central conflicts that have defined global politics in the past century, from the Cold War to the "war on terror." — Stefan Christoff

Truthout

"Thirty years in the making, this deeply researched book is bursting with overlooked facts and unauthorized insights. Through their erudition, prescience and passion, Gould and Fitzgerald have provided us with an urgent and necessary history, one that pierces through the haze of misinformation that has, for far too long, obscured the guiding light of an authentic past. The timeliness of this book cannot be overstated." —Ryan Croken

The Middle East Journal

"Utilizing 20 years of experience of researching and reporting on Afghanistan, Paul Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Gould seek to clarify and contextualize the current situation in conflict-torn Afghanistan with this comprehensive history. The material covers events starting in ancient antiquity, but puts a heavy emphasis on the second half of the 20th century through the end of 2007. The work concludes with analysis and strategy recommendations for the incoming American President and is supplemented by an appendix of historical maps." —Shannon Rosenberg

[Susan]

From Book Page: "Part analysis of the current situation in Afghanistan, part history of the country, this book might just fill an educational gap for many. "Deeply researched, cogently argued and enormously important" (Publishers Weekly), Invisible History explores the ethnic makeup of Afghanistan, the rise of the Taliban, and the constant influx of outsiders and invaders, including Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan, as well as the British invasions of the 19th century. But the authors also focus on the compounding mistakes, based on a lack of understanding, that have led to the situation today."

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be more exact, this is about the invisible history of U.S. and Western foreign policy in relation to Afghanistan. It is a well researched attempt to blame our current woes in Afghanistan (and elsewhere) on the neo-cons and cold warriors. The books makes some good points, and I agree with most of its conclusions, but some of it should be taken with a grain of salt. There's a reason Noam Chomsky's endorsement is printed at the top of the front cover.

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is chock full of misstatements of fact, highly dubious use of sources, and breathtaking leaps of illogic that together combine to reduce it to the level of near propaganda. Still, it does make some interesting connections, and is very well-sourced, with copious notes and bibliography. I think the prospective reader would be best advised, however, to skim the notes for its sources and read those instead.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read, the REAL motivation for the Afghanistan war. "
Terrorist" attack was just TOO convenient in my opinion. The US wanted to do it well before 9/11. Plus it yielded side benefits of getting the US citizens to surrender freedoms.

[Cathy]

Against the Grain did an interview with these folks and it sounds amazing -- looking back thousands of years at the intersections of religions & empires leading up to now. It's a helpful history!

[Cameron Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the best reporting on the long-term schemes of Dick Cheney and other like-minded hawks in Washington and how they have affected the pathetically violent course of modern history.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good overview of the history and problems that have led to current conditions in Afghanistan.

[Tuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you need to read one book to help understand what afghanistan is, what has happened there, and what usa is doing there, this is the one.

[Jay D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent in depth geopolitical analysis to complement Curtis, Dorril, Dreyfuss.

[Leah Evjen-byan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing historical background of the country all the way to understanding what really is happening today.