The Afghan Campaign

The Afghan Campaign

by StevenPressfield (Author)

Synopsis

Alexander the Great's campaign in the Afghan kingdoms began in the summer of 330bc. It would last for three brutal years and prove the most difficult he and his army ever fought. Thrilling and urgently-told, "The Afghan Campaign" tells the story of this bloody and ruthless conflict from the perspective of a Macedonian recruit. The youngest of three brothers and eager to prove himself, Matthias has volunteered to join the leader he worships on his ambitious expedition into the unknown, unconquered country we now call Afghanistan. But as he joins the frontline, Matthias begins to realise that the nature of warfare for which he trained has changed irrevocably. The Macedonians face a new kind of enemy - and must learn to fight a new kind of war. Experiencing fear, euphoria, horror and shame, Matthias and his comrades undergo a rite of passage as they, soldiers of a Western force whose code was secular and humanist, struggle to subjugate a fiercely proud Eastern warrior nation of deeply-held beliefs and a passionate willingness to die for their cause. Simply to survive, Alexander's men must shake off the trappings of 'civilization' as they know it and adopt the same unorthodox and barbaric tactics as their foe - but at what cost to their souls and their sanity? Set against the imposing, alien implacability of the Afghan landscape, this powerfully affecting, edge-of-your-seat novel not only demonstrates Steven Pressfield's profound understanding of the hopes and fears of men in battle but also has some important things to say about the nature of wars past...and present.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 336
Edition: Airport / Export e.
Publisher: Doubleday
Published: 01 Aug 2006

ISBN 10: 0385610653
ISBN 13: 9780385610650
Book Overview: Epic, thrilling historical novel evoking the madness, mayhem and sheer God-awfulness of Alexander the Great's campaign in Afghanistan - a timeless tale of men at war.

Media Reviews
* 'Pressfield's talent is awesome. Reading him is like watching Ali in the ring. He not only makes the impossible seem natural, but the power and grace of his style is jaw dropping. All novelists set out to be entertaining, most seek to illuminate, some try to educate, and a few hope to inspire. Pressfield does all of this and more. The Afghan Campaign is an extraordinary work, an instant classic.' - DAVID GEMMELL * 'No one writes better historical fiction than Steven Pressfield. This book should be required reading for anyone who wants to better understand...one of history's most tribal and troubled regions.' - VINCE FLYNN * 'An impressive scholar and gifted storyteller, Steven Pressfield is the finest military writer alive...I cannot recommend him too highly.' - STEPHEN COONTS
Author Bio
Steven Pressfield is the author of the classic bestselling historical novels Gates of Fire, Tides of War, Last of the Amazons and most recently, Alexander: The Virtues of War. His debut novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance, was filmed by Robert Redford. He lives in California.