A jewel of a book, as rich and splendid as the story it tells. Set in 1839 it tells of Alexander Burnes, an English adventurer who visits Kabul and the sumptuous palace of Amir Dost Mohammed, and in taking his story back to London, unwittingly prompts the ensuing war, as the arrogant and vainglorious British army suffer defeat at the hands of the bloodthirsty Afghans. A delicious, well researched and at times tenderly romantic read.
(Jenny Freeman - bwl 17 February 2003 ) |
