Review “Frank Holt...narrates [Alexander's] struggle in clear prose that makes this ancient campaign come alive and gives greater appreciation for the challenges that confront all counterinsurgents in Afghanistan―including the U.S. troops still fighting there more than a decade after 9/11.” (Wall Street Journal 2013-01-25) Read more From the Inside Flap "Into the Land of Bones is the fullest narrative of Alexander's campaigns in Afghanistan available in English. It is informed by a comprehensive knowledge of the ancient sources, geography, and archaeology of Afghanistan. The work uses the history of Alexander to raise provocative questions about current affairs. Its long-term value, however, lies in its detailed and masterly account of Alexander's Bactrian campaigns in light of the history and geography of Afghanistan. This is one of the most important works on Alexander to appear in the last ten years."―Stanley Burstein, author of Outpost of Hellenism: The Emergence of Heraclea on the Black Sea“The terrain, climate, and volatile socio-political milieu of Afghanistan have always been a logistical nightmare for invaders. Holt's vivid evocation of Alexander the Great's grueling, brutal, inconclusive war, and the telling parallels he draws with British, Soviet, and U.S. attempts to bludgeon the region into submission, make for grim reading.”―Amelie Kuhrt, author of The Ancient Near East, c.3000-330 BC Read more See all Editorial Reviews
D**R
A detailed study of Alexander's "Afghan" campaigns
This is a concise yet detailed and easy to read account of Alexander's campaigns in Bactria and Sogdiana (roughly corresponding to today's Afghanistan). The book begins by suggesting that there are lessons to be learned from Alexander's experiences in the region as we negotiate our own involvement in this rough and tumble part of the world. However, not much is overtly made of this beyond the first several pages - the reader is left largely alone to grapple with just how much history "teaches" in this instance. Nevertheless, despite any real overt attempt to link our own plight to that of Alexander's, it is indeed sobering to read of how difficult the king's experiences in the region were - spending some three hard years there after virtually whipping through the rest of the Persian Empire. So much of the Alexander "myth" revolves around these earlier successes, their grand battles, and the brilliant tactics that won the day. This book thus offers a refreshing counter-point of sorts - reminding us not only of the extraordinary price Alexander paid in expanding his empire Eastward, but also, and of more timely relevance, of the extraordinary hardships involved in fighting, and holding onto, that which has been "won" in this part of the world, even some 2300+ years later. A recommended read for anyone interested in Alexander or how the ancient history of the larger "Afghan" region might inform our current experiences there. The only real reason I give this book less than 5 stars is that I would have liked a bit more meta-reflection by the author as a way of concluding the book - it would have been nice to have the author pull things together a bit more and offer his opinions as to what we can learn about Alexander and his legacy through the lens of the "Afghan" campaign. Nevertheless, a book that should be included in any library on Alexander.
E**M
Amazing book that should be required reading in West Point, Congress, the State Department and The White House
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," is a quite often said, but seldom understood. This is one of the rare books that lays in painful detail the lessons that were not learned from the many attempts to conquer and subjugate the land we know today as Afghanistan, but antiquity knew as Bactria. The powerful's attempt to conquer this rebellious land did not start or end with the Soviets or even the British. Holt reminds us that the land we know as Afghanistan has had a host of would be foreign rulers and it has been a quagmire ever since the dawn of written history.Even though Alexander's campaigns in Bactria was over 2,300 years ago, it offers invaluable lessons to us today. Written in 2004, a couple of years after our intervention, it reads like a book of prophecy of the host of difficulties we would experience. Although things in that region appeared quiet for a few years, Holt saw that difficulties would eventually emerge, and he was right. For the sake of national policy and security, Holt's book should be read by all those who have a stake in America's military, political and international relations policies. Afghanistan doesn't have to be the grave yard of great powers, and Alexander the Great eventually pacified this region. Holt reminds us there is much we can learn from Alexander's success and failures in Bactria and that there are modern day lessons for today's leaders even in the dusty experiences of antiquity.
J**L
Trump should read this.
Alexander the Great's failure in Afghanistan. Currently we are failing there in exactly the same way.
I**J
Excellent Read
This is a must have book if one is to understand the situation of AFK. The author; Frank L. Holt writes a fascinating account of the history in this neck-of-the-woods from Alexander the Greats time to present & what makes this read so captivating is its written in layman's terms making it available for understanding by anyone interested of why our world is the way it is today.
H**A
this book will amaze you with great insight on Alexander's war that led ...
If anyone wants to understand a very crazy piece of afghan and Macedonian history, this book will amaze you with great insight on Alexander's war that led him from the Persian empire, into Afghanistan chasing a slippery terrorist leader. This book draws very logical and historical parallels with the US and Soviet invasions of Afghanistan, but is also a very important read for any Afghans who have no idea how much their culture was influenced by the occupation of Alexanders armies. Great book, lots of drama and violence to keep you focused too! Good stuff
T**Y
Good Historical Analysis of Alexander and Afghanistan
The book is very well written and provides a decent historical account of Alexander's troubles in Afghanistan. The book is good for anyone wanting to understand the first "successful" conquest of Afghanistan and those looking to gain some context to help draw some similarities with current western policy.
A**T
Five Stars
Useful book for my history class
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