Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan

Officially known as the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, this landlocked central Asian nation has been the site of the longest war in American history. The burgeoning interest in this country--commonly known as the "graveyard of empires"--may help explain the need for a fourth edition of this title (3rd ed., CH, Apr'04, 41-4384; 2nd ed., CH, Feb'98, 35-3081; 1st ed., CH, Jun'92, 29-5413). Adamec (emer., Univ. of Arizona) has written more than two-dozen historical and political works on this often violently contested land. Similar to the format of other works in the "Historical Dictionary" series, this volume primarily contains an A-Z dictionary covering history, politics, geography, institutions, and culture, in addition to prominent contemporary and historical figures, among numerous other topics. The editor notes that "hundreds of added or substantially revised entries" are featured in this latest, hefty edition. A mostly brief chronology spans the country's history since its earliest times, but the emphasis is primarily on recent times. The appendixes feature some interesting primary documents, and the introduction provides a short but useful overview of Afghanistan....This work is a superb ready-reference source suitable for major academic and public libraries. It will also be useful for smaller libraries that might not own the earlier editions. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers.  * CHOICE *
The first substantive section of this dictionary is a chronology of events which goes up to March 2011. Next is a concise introduction on the geography, people, religion, and history of Afghanistan. While there is mention of Afghan ties to Ariana (1500 B.C.E.), the historical analysis focuses on the early nineteenth century onwards, with special consideration for events leading up to the Soviet occupation and its aftermath. The same focus is true for the dictionary of terms. This is in line with the work’s stated scope to concentrate ‘on the political history of contemporary Afghanistan.’ Following the dictionary are appendixes, which outline major terms of the Durand Agreement, Taliban Codex, Rules for Political Parties, Durrani genealogy, and a thematically arranged bibliography. . . . In conclusion, Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan is an excellent starting point for scholars and general readers interested in contemporary political Afghanistan. * American Reference Books Annual *