Retreat from Kabul: The Incredible Story of How a Savage Afghan Force Massacred the World's Most Powerful Army

A well written but detailed study of the disaster that befell the British in Kabul in 1838-1842. It shows that the Afghans will not be defeated (they just melt away into the hills), and they are not to be trusted (as shown by the safe conduct given and the subsequent murder of 15,000+ soldiers and camp followers heading out of Kabul under the safe conduct). The USA should make its point and get out of that country NOW. Obama should have this book by his bedside and learn its lessons.

This is a terrribly difficult book to read. The author's style is rambling and digressive; it provides at times copious detail as to the family and social relationships, while at other times seeming to assume certain facts and cultural information are available to the reader. Having said that, the story is worth reading. In the 1830s, after decades of trying to portect their Indian interests, the British set about trying to seize Afghanistan to block the Persians and the Russians. The occupation went badly from the start and culminated with a week long reterat from Kabul in the dead of winter from which few survived. Thus ends the book and the First Afghan War. A shocking story about arrogance and incompetence. The politicians thought they had the knowledge and ability to create a consensus with myriad Afghan tribal leaders and that such agreements as were reached would always be upheld by the Afghans (never mind the same was not the British intent or plan). The military could not even conceive that they were not totally superior the tribes. The astounding horror of the title-eponymus event does not begin until well past midway in the book. The first part is background - decades of it - explaining just why and how the commercial cum governmental entity that was British colonial rule ended up in Kabul. This story - while tedious and muddled - is critical to being made aware of why the things played out the way they did. The Brits tried twice again to conquer the country. So did the Soviets. Obviously, the US and some allies are trying now. The moral of this book is that the Afghans are very tough and strong-willed. It doesn't appear that anyone - even their leaders then and now - can win their hearts and minds.