The Places In Between

Author: Rory Stewart
ISBN: 0156031566
Manufacturer: Harvest Books
Customer Rating:

, based on 146 reviews

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Editorial Review:

In January 2002 Rory Stewart walked across Afghanistan-surviving by his wits, his knowledge of Persian dialects and Muslim customs, and the kindness of strangers. By day he passed through mountains covered in nine feet of snow, hamlets burned and emptied by the Taliban, and communities thriving amid the remains of medieval civilizations. By night he slept on villagers' floors, shared their meals, and listened to their stories of the recent and ancient past. Along the way Stewart met heroes and rogues, tribal elders and teenage soldiers, Taliban commanders and foreign-aid workers. He was also adopted by an unexpected companion-a retired fighting mastiff he named Babur in honor of Afghanistan's first Mughal emperor, in whose footsteps the pair was following.

Through these encounters-by turns touching, con-founding, surprising, and funny-Stewart makes tangible the forces of tradition, ideology, and allegiance that shape life in the map's countless places in between.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent, captivating read

Wow!!! I don't have a great attention span but this book kept me glued to its pages. While Rory's adventure to walk from Herat to Kabul in the footsteps of the Emperor Babur is an audacious one, he provides excellent insights into the cultural diversity that Afghanistan is, and the rich heritage that the country has. His walk, following those in India, Nepal and Iran is made difficult by the route he chooses to follow in the height of winter, through the central highlands of the province of Ghor which all conquering armies for the last 2,000 years have chosen to avoid. Yet, this land once became the seat of power in Afghanistan with its capital at the Turquoise Mountain. He provides an excellent account of the changing political landscape of the country by vividly providing accounts of the various people he met and dealt with, from feudal lords to mujahideen to servants and to ex-Russian allies.

2008-08-18

Steward Didn't Fill in The Places In Between

This is a curious book. It's a pretty good travelogue,covering the road from Herat to Kabul, which sheds a lot of light on a piece of our planet rarely travelled by westerners. And there are some fascinating interactions betwen the author and local mukety-mucks who seem to eschew killing him because they think he's a wacko. But the book lacks real excitement. Like other reviewers, I can't figure out exactly why this guy is making this walk. He may be an adventurer, but he's not much of a writer. The book comes precariously close to being just a diary, devoid of much color, excitement or intrigue. You get a good feel for how Afghanistanis in this remote area think -- which is enlightening. But all in all, this meritorious book lacks the punch that it could have had.

2008-08-04

Another world...

A tough slog through a primitive place by an intrepid Englishman. I don't require too much more from a book!

You'll learn a few reasons we're having so much trouble in this part of the world. Definitely recommended. Also buy with his "Prince of the Marshes." Even more relevent to Bush's failed war policies.

2008-07-29

When History Meets the Now

Rory Stewart writes an amazing tale that is both raw, authentic and self-deprecating. His analysis of the cultures of Afghanistan are insightful at times, yet often clouded in his own inability to enter the mist that is Afghanistan. He weaves a story of vignettes that recount lineages, ancient histories, modern bumblings and humorous anecdotes. I was gripped by the ruggedness of his account and spell-bound by a culture so far removed from my own (while uncomfortably striking too close to home).

Rory has managed to be both entertaining and educational at the same time, which few are truly capable of doing. For someone that frequently mentions his desire to travel alone, he has taken us all along with him (sometimes even dragging us as his own "Babur"). I look forward to joining him on some of his other mis-adventures in the future. Till then...Salaam.

2008-07-09

A man and his dog in the mountains

There is a lot to admire about this book. It is extremely well written, involving, respectful, and informative about the mountainous highlands of Afghanistan and the people who live there. The men that Rory Stewart meets shed much needed light on a much misunderstood area of the world.

I am still uneasy about Mr. Stewart essentially begging his way across Afghanistan. There is something dubious about spending lots of resources, time and effort to get half way around the world and then expect people who are struggling just to survive to provide for you,and your dog.

Mr. Stewart now runs the non-profit Blue Mountain Foundation in Kabul developing local arts and crafts.

2008-07-07

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