The Afghans: Three lives through war, love and revolt

sne Seierstad is the supreme non-fiction writer of her generation Luke HardingAs an exploration of the social fabric of Afghan life, this book takes some beating DAILY TELEGRAPHNo other recent book on the subject comes close CPW Gammell, author of The Pearl of KhorasanIn her international bestseller The Bookseller of Kabul, award-winning journalist sne Seierstad studied life in Afghanistan before and after the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001. Now twenty years later, the Taliban is back in power, and Seierstad returns with The Afghans, a book to help us understand Afghanistans past, present and future, told through the lives of three unforgettable people.In her compelling, intimate and thought-provoking new book, Seierstad introduces us to three people whose lives have been shaped by the fall and rise of the Taliban - Jamila, Bashir and Ariana - as well their families, friends, foes and co-fighters. Jamila is a womens rights activist; Bashir is a Taliban commander; Ariana is a law student who had one semester left when the Taliban came to power.The stories of these three Afghans encompass love, loss, revolt and war as well as the everyday rhythms of family life. Through them, we experience and come to understand the lead-up to the Taliban retaking power in 2021, how the first year of Taliban rule unfolded, and where this leaves Afghans today, and tomorrow.Praise for sne Seierstad:An intimate portrait of Afghani people quite unlike any other Sunday Times on The Bookseller of KabulHas the feel of a non-fiction novel - irresistible New York Times on One of UsHauntingly written, this book is both a masterpiece and a masterclass in investigative journalism Christina Lamb on Two SistersMeticulously documented, full of drama Kate Adie on Two Sisters