Joel Hafvenstein

The book describes Joel's experiences in 2004/5 in Helmand. The struggle against its multiple problems, isolation, poverty, violence, tribalism, infested with arms, warlords, corrupt police, politicians and armies, and Opium undermining everything. Clearly the place could be incredibly beautiful, and has real possibilities. It needs long term, generous, input, and somehow to impose security for ordinary people, but seems perversely determined to resist all attempts to help. Best of luck to whichever Power tries to help now.… (más)

Even though it is four years old, this book is still right on target for any American trying to follow what is happening in Afghanistan today.The way the author mixes travalogue, history, and character sketches is remarkable. He is truly a talented writer. One of my favorite sections is a dialogue in which the author, who is about to become engaged, fends off his Afghan companions questions about his love life and American courting customs with observations about the landscape through which they are passing. Wonder how the Taliban got started, how a contract company in the US works with a US agency, what is the real story about why training Afghan army and police is so far behind after 10 years ? It is here in short dispersed paragraphs. The Amazon reviews are excellent. One is even by another worker who was there when the author was.… (más)