Afghanistan

Roland and Sabrina Michaud became fascinated with this unique, and once obscure (to Americans) country. They decided to return again and again, over a period of more than a decade, from the late `60's to the time of the Russian invasion of 1979. At one time the country was on the so-called "hippie route," the overland route to India. They found their "wonder" not at the end of the route, but along the way. They have shared their fascination with us, primarily via the photograph, in this, as well as other books. Their photographs are simply exquisite; masterpieces of composition and lighting. There is a balance of subjects: certainly the people themselves, as well as their buildings and the haunting landscape of the country. There are also the "activities of daily living", from a barber to a tea break, and even a partridge fight. In terms of portraits my favorites are the camel driver on page 16, and the master blacksmith on page 33. In terms of landscapes, my favorites are the ruins at Shar-i-Gholghola in the Nimruz desert on page 26 and a lake in Band-i-Amir in autumn on page 58. I agree with most all of the comments made by currently the only other reviewer, Robert S Newman. It would have been wonderful to know much, much more. How did they actually do this? Clearly they had to rough it, obviously in winter also. Hardships, yes, I suspect they had a few, and even some illness. Learning some of the languages seems almost essential also. Almost certainly Sabrina took the pictures of the women; it worked for my wife and I when we photographed people in Islamic countries. I spent 11 days in Afghanistan in 1971, living quite basically, but enthralled by the views and the people. The "hotel" in Herat cost 25 cents a night! I should have stayed much longer, so, regrets, yes I have a few, but thankfully the Michaud's did stay, and left a remarkable, beautiful photographic account of a world now largely vanished. I do not want to penalize them for what is missing; but for what is there, the book truly deserves the full 5-stars.