Most helpful customer reviews
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must read for everyone, Jul 31 2006
Very few people in the world have the knowledge, experience and insight as Eric Margolis about the realities of war. This is the book everyone should read so we all understand war in modern times; he is worthy of recognition internationally as one of the premier journalist. This work is not only grossly relevant, but definately necesssary. Don't let it escape.
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1.0 out of 5 stars
disappointing book on important subject, Jun 8 2009
In many ways, the political conflicts in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Central Asian republics are some of the most important, potentially dangerous, and underreported in the world. I was therefore drawn to a book such as this, which includes discussion on Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Tibet.
Margolis has been covering international conflict for many years, and the best parts of his book are his fascinating personal recollections accompanying various jihadis in the conflict zone, as well the official Pakistani military at the Saichen glacier . The book is colourful and broad ranging, but has some serious flaws.
Most significantly, he should have been careful as a journalist to avoid factual errors. In particular, his chapter laying the out the origins to the present Kashmir conflict was riddled with statements which were objectively historically false. I am not nearly as familiar with the history behind the other conflicts he covered, but I have difficulty trusting the veracity of the historical background he provides given his treatment of Kashmir's history.
Secondly, the book is full of gross generalizations, particularly in regards to the often complicated relations between different ethnicities and religions in the region. He makes very broad statements, treating stereotype as fact in order to explain regional conflicts according to his worldview.
It is always valuable to read the insights of someone who has personal contacts and friendships with jihadis, ISI officials, and military men whose influence had shaped the region. But beyond his recollections of these meetings, there is little of value in the book. The book is an amalgam of Margolis's memories and opinions, but it is not a meticulously researched piece of journalism and insight, and readers looking for such will be as disappointed as me.
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2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Stop the revision!, May 12 2007
I read the original published version and it is a very well written and balanced historical overview of South Asia. I found it very valuable as a backgrounder to the interconnected relationships and conflicts in the region. Mr Margolis is clearly taken by his time in this part of the world and the writing style was clear and flowed well.
However, I just read the postscript chapter from the revised book and it was AWFUL. It is amazing what a few years of polarizing political environments north and south of the border will do to ones perspective. His balance, his historical view, and most importantly his objectivity is obliterated under a barrage to the reader of the "fire-breathing" Hillier, neo-cons North and South of the border, and the only reason history hasnt repeated itself and all the American and NATO forces havent been obliterated is because they have nasty air power that can bring death to their opponents, the glorious mujahideen er I mean the Taliban, in three minutes. Do yourself a favour and buy the older version.
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by Eric S Margolis
by Martin Ewans
by Ahmed Rashid
by John Mearsheimer
