Around the World in 22 Books
An Unexpected Light: Travels
in Afghanistan by Jason Elliot
First published in 1999.This edition by Picador.
The author first visited Afghanistan in the 1980s as a clandestine guest
of the Mujaheddin during the Soviet occupation and again ten years later
during the Taliban advance on the besieged capital, Kabul, when the country
was racked by civil war. Elliot’s impressive knowledge of Afghanistan's
history, his seemingly boundless affection for its people, his understanding
and respect for their culture and religion, and his flair for the language
make this more than a casual travelogue.
