Between yesterday and today, I've written quite a lot, but not anything to share here. Some have been interested in what to read about Afghanistan, so I thought I'd post a few good books on Afghanistan.
Oh, and I'd like to promote a website: www.betterworldbooks.com. They have quite a broad selection of books and the profits go to help world literacy. Domestic shipping is also free, which I enjoy, and international shipping is only about $4, which is incredible.
Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, From the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2011 by Steve Coll
http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ghost-wars-the-secret-history-of-the-cia-afghanistan-and-bin-laden-from-the-soviet-invasion-to-id-9780143034667.aspx
This book has been recommended to me by both Americans and Afghans. It is an excellent example of narrative journalism and reads quite fluidly. There's a lot of history and policy to digest, but its written in a way easy to understand. I've enjoyed it because Coll often explains external details and connects them to on the ground issues in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: A Political and Cultural History by Dr. Thomas Barfield
http://www.betterworldbooks.com/afghanistan-a-cultural-and-political-history-id-9780691145686.aspx
Dr. Barfield spent time in Afghanistan before the Soviet Invasion. He has traveled to and studied Afghanistan for more than thirty years. Currently, he is a professor at Boston University and continues research on Afghanistan. This book provides an anthropologist's perspective on Afghanistan, and explains local governance issues and how they've been affected by a long history of invasion, local culture, etc.
Foreign Policy: The AfPak Channel
http://afpak.foreignpolicy.com/
I enjoy following the blogs, articles, and "Daily Briefs." This helps me keep up with current events in the country and region.
This is a start anyway. The more I read, the more I realize how incredibly complicated this place can be. It's interesting how ethnocentrism takes place without our even knowing it. I expect the U.S. to be complicated and to have to read many, many books to understand even a facet of our politics, history, economy, or culture, and yet, I feel like I know something about Afghanistan after only two or three books and a few articles. Not only that, but Afghanistan has been around far, FAR longer than the U.S. Anyhow, enjoy if you wish.
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