War at the Top of the World: The Struggle for Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Tibet

by Eric S. Margolis

Book Overview

What will the post-Taliban government of Afghanistan look like? How will the war in Afghanistan affect the already unstable politics of Central Asia? In War at the Top of the World, veteran foreign... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415927129
• ISBN13: 9780415927123
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 250 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Greatest book on South Asia

This book is a masterpiece but what else do you expect from a seasoned journalist like Margolis. It correctly analysis the complexities of the region and delves deep to bring out the prejudices prevalent in that region. Margolis provides a great narrative and explanation. Overall I would give this book TWO THUMBS UP.

A Must Read

I found this book to be completely fascinating. Mr. Margolis takes us through the complex geo-politics of Afghanistan, Kashmir, India and Tibet. I think he nails the head on a lot of the issues presented. His attention to details makes the reader feel as if he/she were in the mountains of Tibet or fighting in the hills of Kashmir. I believe he gives insight into this complex region that few other journalists could have. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the region, gain perspective, and learn the truth.

journalist and asute commentor, in one engrossing book

First a couple of simple observations.I found the book as a search of the library stacks in the tibet section. i buy almost all my books online. but i believe everyone ought to just take an hour or so each week just to skim their favorite sections of the library. this was a gem i would never have bumped into online....on other reviewers here. this is a book that an Indian(india) would find offensive at first reading. he does not pull punches about ethnicity and its history, but this is one of the best features of the book. i hope they can see the heart that it comes from and not the surface level of words. an example would be the description of the internal Indian airlines.Now to the book.Its about Afganistan, Pakistan, India, and Tibet. In particular the wars and the people who fight them in this region. the author is a very unusual man, extraordinary in several ways. first his english is journalist, fast paced, honed obviously to write pieces that compete for a newpaper readers attention. Pithy in using one word where another writer would use three. a very visual writer with an imagination and a view to vivid word descriptions that is very good. He would have been as good a novelist as he is a journalist. This really acts to the book and makes the reading a great pleasure.The topic is a timely one, even given the 2000 date on the book, or the research dating back even longer. The author is knowledgable about the area, passionate about the people and the topic, not afraid to express unpopular opinions. Organized and systematic enough that you feel that you have learned and shared his learning/passion/study. Generally simply the best of the genre.If it is your desire to learn a little more of the history of this region, or to understand the current events starting in this region and echoing throughout our world, then start with this book. This book makes available to all of us the author's extensive travels, careful analysis, and very important observations concerning the people and events. my Thanks to him. i am only sorry that he hasn't apparently written other books...maybe i can find a few extended essays on the net.

It may not be perfect...but it is excellent nonetheless.

Eric Margolis gives readers and exciting and informative tour of the geopolitical issues that are part and parcel of the mountain regions in and around this part of Asia. Clear in his writing is his love of the lands and their people. He does not pretend to be giving an unbiased report...though he does attempt to be fair from the perspective of his biases.A reader of Margolis' book will learn a lot that is useful. And this book will give readers pause to think again about how much we can afford to be ignorant in our policies and neglect of the region.The book does have flaws. There are factual and historical inaccuracies that are annoying. But none of those I found have the effect of nullifying any of the arguments Margolis makes. This is a heartfelt effort on the author's part that does better than most works -- more scholarly or not -- at getting to the important issues that should not be missed.I give this book my very high endorsement...flaws and all. You will not regret reading it. Bravo, Mr Margolis! I appreciate those who will say something they believe -- even if it is not popular.

Excellent Analysis of a Complex Situation

I can't understand why some people are strongly criticizing this book. Margolis has done a great job in bringing forward the truths and facts about Afghanistan and Kashmir. He has correctly analyzed the real reason behind Kremlin's invasion of Afghanistan and I agree with him that if it hadn't been for Pakistan, the red army would have marched on to Gulf's oil reserves. The 600,000 Indian Army troops in Kashmir have killed about 70,000 Kashmiris since 1989. Kashmiri people are asking for the right of self-determination. What is wrong with that? There are UN Security Council resolutions that have given them this right. India's first prime minister had agreed to hold a plebiscite in Kashmir. The Indian government has denied to hold a plebiscite ever since.People here in the US must read this book to get a clear understanding of a complex situation in the sub continent.