Under a Sickle Moon: A Journey Through Afghanistan - Softcover

Hodson, Peregrine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0871131617 ISBN 13: 9780871131614

Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Pr, 1987

Synopsis

The author recounts his three-month journey through war torn Afghanistan in 1984, and describes the attitudes and actions of those facing the Soviet invaders

About this title

Reviews

In the spring of 1984, British journalist Hodson traveled 1500 miles in Afghanistan, walking, living and dodging Soviet attacks with mujahedin, the rebel fighters. In this well-written, vivid, poignant account, he paints a portrait of a struggle that seems to resemble the Vietnamese battle against U.S. forces 20 years ago. Soviet helicopters and jets dominate the skies and seem to have "free-fire" zones, but despite their high-tech edge, they have no effective control in the countryside. And the fighters Hodson met are instilled by a deep conviction in their cause. Typically one mujahed states, "If all the country is burnt, all the trees dead and all the rivers dry, we will still fight. Afghanistan is a battlefield in a war between God and Satan." Hodson's experiences are an adventure tale full of incongruities: he hikes through dangerous territory listening to Bob Dylan and Bach on his Walkman. He accompanies men bringing weapons into the country from Pakistan who then lose their munitions when they are ambushed by rival mujahedin. He loses most of his luggage fording a river and argues about religion with his hosts. Highly recommended.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Disguised as a native, British journalist Hodson traveled in 1984 in northeastern Afghanistan with some mujahedin resistance fighters. Although his account includes friendly camaraderie, beautiful landscapes, and interesting market towns, the gripping emphasis is on the hazards and hardships and the Islamic fervor that inspires the Afghans in their struggle against the Soviets. There are long grinding marches, the author's agonizing digestive problems and fevers, frequent danger in dodging Soviet bombs and troops, and tenseness in the many political and religious discussions with his Afghan companions. The author wonders, as will the reader, why the world media virtually ignore the utter devastation wrought by the Soviets in Afghanistan.Roger W. Fromm, Bloomsburg Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Pr
• Publication date: 1987
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0871131617
• ISBN 13: 9780871131614
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 226