Customer Reviews
An Extraordinary Journey - By: Discerning Reader, 30 Aug 2010 
This is an extraordinary account of a journey undertaken by Rory Stewart.
I would recommend this book to readers for two main reasons.
The first is that it is an incredibly detailed account of lifein the far flung placesin Afghanistan. Reporting of eventsin Afghanistan usually focuses on where there are casualties, & what the politicians are working on. We can focus on the rights of women but how realistic is it to apply that successfullyin the small villages where tradition goes back hundreds of years, & where people's priority is how to maintain their daily supply of food? Give people the right to vote but can western style democracy be achievedin the whole country just by legislation?
The other aspect of the book that is fascinating is the insight into past history. The links to the Moghul Emperor Babur's rule are fascinating. The wrecking of a lot of other cultural & historical heritage due to wars is a reminder to us of what politicians are destroying for us when they start wars for reasons of power, economic resources, or purely diverse philosophies. Rory Stewart's account also reminds us of how the world organisations can be bogged ownin bureaucracy.
Better maps would have helped the reader follow Stewart's journeys much better. The style of writing could have been improved. The lengthy footnotes were important but broke into the flow of the reading. Similarly, while extracts from Babur's diaries were very interesting, they affected the flow of the narrative.
It was a major achievement on the part of Rory Stewart, but as some reviewers have pointed out, there must have been a political dimension to his journey because it is inconceivable that he could have survived for so long on his own when there were clearly very dangerous areas. If he did have more support, one wonders why he has not referred to itin his narrative.
So from different viewpoints it is book that should be read.
Places in Between - By: nap, 19 Aug 2010 An entertaining & historically interesting account of lifein part of Afghanistan. Well worth reading & important if trying to understand some of the difficulties/diversities of this counrty.
Blown Away - By: F. M. Palmer, 04 Aug 2010 
I could not have made this journey & I could not have written this book. I would recommend treating the epilogue as a prologue so that you do not spend two days prostratein bed when the end of the book is reached. A mind- & life-enhancing book. Thank you.
the unseen Afganistan - By: Annie, 01 Jul 2010 Fascinating & compelling read. A real page-turner written with much style by a very brave man who really puts his life at risk but really connects with the people he stays with. The ending is also really moving & I would really recommend this book.
Fascinating insight - By: R. Paterson, 04 Apr 2010 This is a fascinating account of a unique journey. Rory Stewart gives a deep insight into rural Afghanistan & the political difficulties of effecting any substantial changein that country.
