"Fragile Hopes!"

Memories of Afghanistan is the story of the extraordinary Afghanistan citizen who is educated in the West and undergoes cultural shock at attempting to integrate Western political ideas with the Islamic fundamentalistic mode of living in the Middle East. It explores questions that must be answered if there is ever to be peace between the two political entities.

For it is not just the outrage and acceptance the author experiences toward the Islamic mentality about education, women, politics, Koranic law and idealistic vision about American and British ideas and intervention in Afghanistan's financial and political life. As one character in the memoirs states so aptly, "No, religion, ignorance, greed and hunger are the only factors manipulated by our domestic and foreign foes...We must put a stop to it."

The ideals of such writers like Thomas Paine hardly fit the world to which Anwar returns but he is a brave soul who is willing to tackle the conflict without abandoning either reality. He is forced to make several critical choices during his lifetime but ponders them often along with his acquaintances who are both rigid adherents of Islamic fundamentalism and those believing in a future where East and West can be integrated. The latter, though, does not always behave in a manner conducive to that integration. For example, how does one process the building of a needed dam that winds up leaving the soil damaged by salty soil and thereby impossible to farm while the builder of the dam enjoys his wealth from the dam's creation? Other aid is thus needed from the West, costly and ineffective it the ultimate outcome.

Anti-imperialism is discouraged and yet lurks beneath the surface of even the most enlightened thinkers. Study abroad and progress are encouraged but at the same time become the evidence used in trials for treachery and uncertainty.

This is a potent, indeed poignant, account that should be required reading for Americans as well as other nations. Complex and haunting, it also celebrates the relationships that produced and profoundly influenced this intelligent, reform-minded but patriotic Afghanistan individual. These memoirs leave the reader thinking about a much larger picture, and the Afterward written by the author's son finishes the job well by contrasting the ideals of his father with the acts of the last five American Presidents, acts which have further estranged the Islamic fundamentalist world from so-called Western visionary ideas and progress.

Amazing book - read it and ponder! Maybe, do more because of your reading experience! One thing is for sure - you will be talking about this book to your friends and acquaintances frequently after you are finished!

Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on January 17, 2005

Reviewed by Viviane Crystal
Courtesy Crystal Reviews
Posted February 1, 2005

Summary

The captivating, true story of one who fought for a modern, secular Afghanistan.

Mohammad Haider Anwar traces his development from street urchin and petty thief in the slums of Kabul, to idealistic teenager swayed by the writings of Tom Paine, to government official espousing reform in a deeply patriarchal, religious society. In 1943, facing imprisonment by the Afghan monarchy--in part for refusing to force his American-born wife to wear the chaderi, or head-to-toe veil--Dr. Anwar fled into exile.

This second edition of Memories of Afghanistan includes a new Afterward that discusses the American government's role in strengthening Islamic fundamentalism and tribal backwardness in Afghanistan over the past 25 years.