15-year-old Ahmad finds it hard to live by tradition among Russians and 'Communist Afghans' in the liberal Makroryan, known as the 'Little Moscow of Kabul'. It becomes harder with the arrival in the neighbourhood of the 16-year-old Frishta. Naturally, their conflicting outlooks on tradition clash. Frishta calls Ahmad a shameful coward, and Ahmad accuses Frishta of being a 'bad woman' who has picked a war with half of the population and their way of life.
Does Ahmad really lack courage and loyalty? Is Frishta really dishonourable? It is 1990s Afghanistan, where a man is stripped of character if he is proved a coward, and where a woman is merely seen as valuable goods, and even a perception of unchastity will lose her all her worth. And, worse, is what Ahmad does to Frishta justifiable? By the time Ahmad and Frishta have answers to these questions, it is too late, and their lives will never be the same. The mujahedeen run over Kabul, and the civil war begins, compelling Ahmad to flee to Russia and then to England.
But Ahmad does not realise that one day he will be forced to return to the homeland where his past catches up with him and puts him in a situation in which he has to choose to either live like a coward, by killing a once-loyal friend, or die with courage.
PRAISE FOR THE AUTHOR'S PREVIOUS BOOK
The new book by Dr. Sharifullah Dorani... is not just another story of Afghanistan's troubled past, but rather is a remarkable account of the country's modern history with details, facts and figures that presents in its entirety the reasons that made Afghanistan, in spite of its ancient and rich civilization, renowned globally for all the wrong reasons. ― U.S. Studies Online
His is the art of synthesis: of letting the known, verifiable facts speak for themselves ― Charged Affairs
The fact that Dorani spoke to Afghans from 'all walks of life' in researching the book is a strength that yields many of his most cutting insights... Dorani's Afghan perspective is truly invaluable. Americans and Westerners should pay attention. ― The Strategy Bridge
A valuable contribution to understanding the complex motivations, causes and consequences of US policy towards Afghanistan and the internal disagreements between the actors. ― LSE US Centre
Academic and practitioners can...gain an accurate and deep understanding of America's longest war. ― CESRAN International
Gives a fascinating overview on events in Afghanistan and the 'thinking' behind the decisions made by successive US administrations. ― Bedfordshire Refugee & Asylum Seeker Support
Dorani's work... provides an interesting overview of U.S. political history throughout the course of the Afghanistan war. ― The Palestine Chronicle
Eminently readable... a must-read for Afghans and others alike. ― Rideau Institute, Canada
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sharifullah Dorani was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan, and claimed asylum in the UK in 1999. He has undergraduate and master's degrees in Law from The University of Northampton and UCL, respectively. He completed his PhD on the US War in Afghanistan at Durham University and authored the acclaimed 'America in Afghanistan'. Sharifullah frequently returns to Afghanistan to carry out research. He is currently South Asia and the Middle Eastern Editor at The Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN International) and has written nearly two dozen articles on Afghanistan (and the broader region), international relations and law. He lives with his family in Bedford, England.
