"Before Taliban" Traces Afghan Jihad's Geneaology Library: LIF-SOC Keywords: AFGHANISTAN JIHAD TALIBAN CULTURE Description: In David B. Edwards' new book, "Before Taliban: Genealogies of the Afghan Jihad," the author traces the lives of three recent Afghan leaders -- Nur Muhammad Taraki, Samiullah Safi, and Qazi Amin Waqad. The result is a powerful book that explains how the promise of progress and prosperity that animated Afghanistan in the 1960s crumbled and became a tragedy of discord, destruction, and despair.
"BEFORE TALIBAN," A NEW BOOK BY DAVID B. EDWARDS TRACES THE AFGHAN JIHAD'S GENEALOGIES
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., June 20, 2002 -- In David B. Edwards' new book, "Before Taliban: Genealogies of the Afghan Jihad," (University of California Press) the author traces the lives of three recent Afghan leaders -- Nur Muhammad Taraki, Samiullah Safi, and Qazi Amin Waqad.
The result is a powerful book that explains how the promise of progress and prosperity that animated Afghanistan in the 1960s crumbled and became a tragedy of discord, destruction, and despair.
In the mid twentieth century, Afghans believed their nation could be a model of economic and social development that would inspire the world. Instead, political conflict, foreign invasion, and civil war have left the country impoverished and politically dysfunctional.
Each of the men Edwards profiles were engaged in the political struggles of the country's recent history. They hoped to see Afghanistan become a more just and democratic nation. But their visions for their country were radically different, and in the end, all three failed and were killed or exiled.
"Before Taliban" tells these men's stories and provides a thorough analysis of why their dreams came to ruin. In Edwards' able hands, this culturally informed biography provides a mesmerizing and revealing look into the social and cultural contexts of political change.
"Before Taliban" builds on the foundation that Edwards laid in his previous book, "Heroes of the Age," in which he examines the lives of three significant figures of the late nineteenth century -- a tribal khan, a Muslim saint, and a prince who became king of the newly created state.
Edwards is also the author of "Learning from the Swat Pathans: Political Leadership in Afghanistan" and many other articles on Afghanistan and South Asia.
Edwards is chair and professor of anthropology at Williams College. He received his B.A. from Princeton University, and his Ph.D from the University of Michigan. Before joining the faculty at Williams, Edwards taught anthropology at Washington University and the University of Michigan.
He spent five years living in Afghanistan and working with Afghan refugees in Pakistan. His knowledge of Afghanistan and its people has been called on many times by publications and programs ranging from the New York Times to NPR and the BBC World Service.
He was recently named a "Scholar of Vision" for 2002-03 and awarded a major fellowship by the Carnegie Corporation in New York.
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Contact Jo Procter, college news director Direct phone line: (413) 597-4279 email: Jo.Procter at williams.edu
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