Mike Martin (2)

I bought this on the strength of a press review. It is not what I expected and in places reads a bit like an academic thesis which I think in part it is. It deals with the recent conflict in Afghanistan (mostly US and UK led) and specifically the province of Helmand. The early chapters deal with previous histories going back to the 1800s. The story makes clear that there has always been tribal or inter-family feuding and the text describes some of the main groups and personages involved. The show more basic thesis seems to be that neith the British of the Americans really got to grips with the internal politics. For example some people were arrested and sent to Guantanamo as 'Taliban' but the informants were just settling a grudge. Government seemed a very vague concept in Helmand and Government and police often seem to be working for private interests. Both corrupt in western terms. Martin's portrayal of the Taliban seems to suggest that they are not the 'outsiders' to Helmand society that western media claim. However the main reason why I did not enjoy the book and found myself 'skimming' is that I was overwhelmed by the detail. I think Martin would justify this by saying that Afghan society is very complicated and can't easily be reduced to a simple account. He's probably right. But this is really a book for an academic readership, not me. show less