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Afghanistan: A Military History from Alexander the Great to the Fall of the Taliban Audiobook
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(3.04) - 307 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
For over 2,500 years, the forbidding territory of Afghanistan has served as a vital crossroads not only for armies but also for clashes between civilizations. As the United States engages in armed conflict with the Afghan regime, an understanding of the military history of that blood-soaked land has become essential to every American.
Alexander the Great conquered Afghanistan on his way to India. Later, because of its strategic location with the Silk Road passing through it, Afghanistan was invaded by Arabs, Mongols, and Tartars. Great Britain tried—and failed—to add Afghanistan to its Indian empire, while Russia tried to expand into the same embattled land. Afghanistan once again fought and defeated a secular government in the face of rising Islamic resistance. Now, America faces a new enemy on this land that has become, over the centuries, the graveyard of empires past.
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"I learned a ton! This book was well-written (except for maybe the last chapter), and made me really glad to live in the US now instead of in Asia during the time of Genghis Khan or Tamerlane. Recommend it if you ever want to know more about pre-2003 Afghanistan."
— A.L. (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Recounts with brisk authority and many illuminating analogies…This is a noteworthy and valuable book.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review -
“Filled with remarkable scholarship…Raymond Todd handles the names of the many nationalities, locations, and individuals well.”
— AudioFile -
“The narrative is engrossing, flowing, informative, intriguing, well researched, and, most importantly, timely…This book is compelling both as an outstanding historical narrative but also as an essential work in helping Western readers understand…the Afghani people. Expertly read by Raymond Todd.”
— Large Print Review -
“Interesting, informative, and thought-provoking.”
— Military Heritage
Afghanistan Listener Reviews
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Michael Barrett, 12/16/2018
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" Bought it for reference while serving in Afghanistan. Couldn't put it down, very educational. "
— Chad, 2/10/2014 -
" This was a very interesting book. I previously had been studying the life of Alexander the Great and was fascinated with the history of the region of Afghanistan. Through much of its history, continuous war has been the norm. Great book to read if you are interested in the changes that have taken place in the world. "
— Michael, 2/3/2014 -
" In the authors view, Afghanistan is not really a country, but a collection of tribes that really want to be independent and allowed to fight each other as they wish. The borders were drawn by the British to keep Russia away from India and split the largest tribe in two different countries. The fighting strength is the people of the country not the people of the cities. A difficult place to get out of once you stick your head into the honey jar. "
— Patricrk, 1/28/2014 -
" This book took me forever to read - rather dense. But, in the end, I learned a lot about at least some aspects of Afghan history. It really presents Afghanistan as an intimidating character (both in terms of land and people) and raises the question of whether any external people will ever truly be able to influence what happens within Afghanistan. "
— LDB, 1/22/2014 -
" I finally gave up on this. It is interesting in terms of history of this part of the world, but the focus is very much on military history, which gets old for me after a while. I need a broader view... what peoples lives are like... "
— Ruth, 1/22/2014 -
" Military History "
— Griff, 1/21/2014 -
" A good history of the many invasions of Afghanistan. A little too detailed in places, and a little light in others, but given that it covers everything from Alexander to the Americans, it's not bad. "
— Nishant, 1/10/2014 -
" Concise historical reference to the military history of Afghanistan. A must read to understand the complexities of that region. "
— Janice, 12/14/2013 -
" An excellent military history of Afghanistan. Until you get to the end. Once he starts on the American involvement, he follows the approved version. Best read Steven Coll's Ghost Wars for a better take on things prior to 9/11 "
— Allen, 12/7/2013 -
" Everything you needed to know about Afghanistan from past to present. "
— Nicko, 3/13/2012 -
" 2,400 years worth of military history. Take notes for yourself if you want to get anything out of the first 2,200 years, because there's no way on earth you'll keep all the parties straight. Provides some nice perspective on the current conflict. "
— Wendy, 2/15/2012 -
" I liked the the build up over 2000 years, didn't know much about what happened in Afghanistan at tha time, with Peter HopKirk's Great Game it comes together. "
— Subroto, 3/20/2011 -
" A great overview, if you are into the area or simply want to know more about the country we are spilling so many resources and young lives into. "
— Nate, 9/12/2010 -
" I finally gave up on this. It is interesting in terms of history of this part of the world, but the focus is very much on military history, which gets old for me after a while. I need a broader view... what peoples lives are like... "
— Ruth, 7/19/2010
About Stephen Tanner
Stephen Tanner is a military historian. He served with US special forces in Italy in World War II and, following his graduation from Yale University, in the US Department of State from 1949 to 1969. He is the author of Afghanistan: A Military History from Alexander the Great to the Fall of the Taliban, Epic Retreats: From 1776 to the Evacuation of Saigon, and Refuge from the Reich.
About Raymond Todd
Raymond Todd is an actor and director in the theater as well as a poet and documentary filmmaker. He plays jazz trombone for the Leatherstocking quartet, an ensemble that gets its name from one of his favorite Blackstone narrations, The Deerslayer. Todd lives in New York.