Even though I have the perception that this book could potentially be diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, I still award it 4 stars.

The main character, Afghanistan, embodies the first personality: vividly depicted, fascinating, and eye-opening. It is the sort of book that you would desire to read while having Google at your disposal, as I truly relished seeing the locations that Michener wrote about. Some were fictional, while others were not, yet he clarifies this in his afterword. Merely seeing images of Afghanistan was sufficient to enhance my experience of the book.

However, the other personality significantly detracts from the book, and that pertains to all the other characters. Well, not all of them. Just the two Americans and the German. I am truly uncertain about the point and the plot meandered considerably. The relationship between Mark, the Jewish narrator, and Stieglitz, the escaped Nazi, was inevitably complex, but it lacked the nuance that it could have had. I believe Michener overexplained and made it overly pointed. And Ellen... I have always had an issue with affluent, disaffected characters. They hold no appeal for me whatsoever. And this sums up Ellen precisely. I would love to slap her and tell her that if she is dissatisfied with her middle-class American life, then for God's sake, DO SOMETHING, instead of playing with people, endangering lives, and causing chaos with people's emotions. Start a charity. Feed the poor. Clothe the needy. Cease being so incredibly selfish. The fact that everyone admired and liked her was quite perplexing, considering she was extremely self-serving and thoughtless.

Nonetheless, I did appreciate the Afghan characters. And Michener treated them and the country with respect and admiration, which is not always evident in American literature regarding non-western countries.

All things considered, I am glad that I read the book. It was worthwhile to endure the human characters in order to get to know the geographical one.

I've always had a profound admiration for the way James Michener writes. His works have a unique charm that draws readers in and keeps them engaged from start to finish.

This particular story is set in Afghanistan in 1945. At that time, there was a glimmer of hope and great promise for the nation. Women were on the verge of being liberated from the chaderi (burka), a symbol of oppression that had confined them for far too long.

However, unfortunately, the progress that seemed so inevitable came to a screeching halt. The reasons behind this sudden change are complex and multifaceted.

I find myself compelled to read more about this significant shift in the history of Afghanistan. I want to understand the political, social, and cultural factors that contributed to this setback. By delving deeper into this topic, I hope to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges and struggles that the Afghan people have faced over the years.

Perhaps through this exploration, I can also gain a greater appreciation for the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

In the sweltering summer of 1973, I found myself trapped in an apartment smack in the middle of Bangkok. The temperature soared to a blistering 100 degrees, and the humidity hung at a stifling 95% around the clock. Amidst this suffocating environment, my longing to step away from the stage of my family life burned within me like a wildfire. In those trying times, my only escape and solace was reading. I devoured approximately half a dozen of Michener's books, and among them was the one on Afghanistan.

To be sure, the book is outdated. It was published way back in 1962. However, there is still a valid reason to peruse it. I believe it pairs exceptionally well with Jason Elliot's An Unexpected Light. This latter work is, without a doubt, the best travel book I have ever had the pleasure of reading, the finest book on Afghanistan I have encountered, and the most profound book on Western desire I have come across.

Michener penned his words after World War II, during a period when the pull of the Cold War was at its strongest and yet most silent. His portrayal of Afghanistan is, in essence, a manifestation of Western desire for that land. When we contrast this with Elliot's travel book, we see a stark difference. Elliot, a twenty-something, risked life and limb to traverse through Afghanistan during the intense heat of its post-Soviet exit.

The inevitable question that arises is: Why would one take such a risk? We glean some insights into Western desire from Elliot's account. From Michener, we learn how that desire - the more genuine and underlying desire - remained concealed within the glowing vapors of the Cold War.

I have been delving deep into a significant number of Michener's books.

Among them, I firmly believe that I have derived the utmost enjoyment from reading this particular one.

It has captivated my interest in the country of Afghanistan to such an extent that I am now actively seeking out other books on the same subject.

I am currently attempting to obtain a book written by Amend Gopal.

He has conducted extensive research on the recent history of Afghanistan, and I understand that it is a newly released book.

I have a hunch that it might provide answers to some of the pressing questions regarding why we so abruptly left Afghanistan.

This pursuit of knowledge about Afghanistan through reading different books has become a fascinating journey for me, and I look forward to uncovering more insights and understanding about this complex and captivating nation.

Awesome! I truly love Michener. His works are nothing short of remarkable. The way he weaves together intricate stories and vivid characters is simply captivating. Each of his novels takes the reader on a journey through different times and places, providing a wealth of knowledge and entertainment. Whether it's historical fiction or epic tales, Michener's writing style is engaging and immersive. His attention to detail and research is evident, making his books not only enjoyable but also educational. I find myself completely absorbed in his worlds, eagerly turning the pages to see what happens next. Michener's works have had a profound impact on me as a reader, and I will always cherish his contributions to the literary world.

I once had the opportunity to meet the Lonely Planet Hungary travel writer Laura many years ago.

She walked into my bookstore, and at that moment, I thought she had the most dreamy job in the world. Little did I know, she had a similar perception of my job.

However, as our conversation progressed, she explained that her work mainly involved fact-checking. It wasn't as glamorous as I had imagined. On the other hand, I confessed to her that despite owning a bookstore, I actually had very little time to read. In fact, I had more reading time before I opened the bookstore.

During our chat, she also mentioned that the book "Caravans" by James Michener was the one that inspired her to pursue a career as a travel writer. I have to admit that it is indeed a great read. It offers quite a few profound insights, especially when we consider the current history of Afghanistan.

Meeting Laura and having this conversation made me realize that every job has its own challenges and rewards, and that our perceptions of other people's jobs may not always be accurate.

This is an outstanding book that offers a profound sense of Afghanistan. It was penned in the 1960s,描绘的是20世纪40年代的情景。倘若将书中的毛拉替换成塔利班，并淡化俄罗斯人的元素，那么它仿佛就是今天所写。阿富汗确实是一个独特的地方，而这本书很好地捕捉到了这一点。例如，在书的开头，它讲述了德国人如何进入阿富汗并建造了许多令人惊叹的桥梁，但一两个季节后它们就被毁坏了。然而，简单的阿富汗桥梁却能持续多年。悠久的历史摧毁了这片土地，只留下了山脉和沙漠。我去过书中提到的许多地方，读到那些我未曾去过但飞越而过的地方（伊朗边境附近的沙漠）和佛像（已被塔利班摧毁），感觉很棒。在书的结尾，有一封给读者的信，讲述了从书所描述的时代到写作时的17年间的变化。我要告诉你——2011年的阿富汗与1943年的相似之处超过了与60年代的相似之处。在60年代和70年代，阿富汗努力向西方靠拢，有电、妇女“平等”等等……而1989 - 2011年又使它倒退到了前几个世纪。

This book provides a valuable perspective on the complex history and culture of Afghanistan. It shows how the country has been shaped by external forces and internal conflicts over the years. The author's vivid descriptions bring the landscapes, people, and events to life, making it a captivating read. Whether you are interested in history, culture, or simply a good story, this book is well worth your time.

This book was fine.

I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the environment. It was like being able to step into that world and experience it for myself. The details about the culture, especially when it came to food, were also quite interesting.

However, one of the main drawbacks for me was that most of the protagonists were unlikable. Their actions and personalities didn't really draw me in or make me root for them. It made it a bit difficult to fully engage with the story on an emotional level.

Overall, while the book had its strengths in terms of the environment and culture, the unlikable protagonists did take away from the overall reading experience for me. I still think it's a book that could be interesting for some people, but it might not be everyone's cup of tea.

The story was written in the early 60's. I probably wouldn't have read it except for the book club. However, once I started, the story totally captivated me. Michener is truly a great writer. This particular book, which is a little over 300 pages, is much more manageable compared to his super long books.

Despite the fact that so much has occurred in Afghanistan since the setting of the story and the time when the book was written, it is astonishing how much has remained the same. It makes one realize that some aspects of a place and its people are deeply ingrained and resist change. The book offers a fascinating glimpse into the past of Afghanistan and shows that, in many ways, the present still bears the印记 of that history.

Overall, it was a great read that I would highly recommend to others.

A surprisingly well-plotted and fascinating book!

Set in 1946 Afghanistan and written in 1960, it offers a vivid portrayal of a country that seems all too familiar today. The women wearing the chador, the mullahs running the streets and beating the offenders, and the presence of catamites - all these elements are here.

The shoots of modernism that appeared hopeful at the time, as seen even in the 1960 coda, ultimately came to naught. The author references Iran's modernism under the shah, adding an interesting layer of irony.

But all that aside, the story itself is top-notch. A 20-something American state department official is tasked with finding an enigmatic American woman who ran off and married an Afghan. The relationships between these people are complex, and the battle between civilization and primitivism is equally opaque, making for a captivating read that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

Read this one.

It is truly so much more than I had initially imagined.

As I delved into it, I discovered a wealth of details and subtleties that I had not anticipated.

The content seems to unfold layer by layer, revealing new aspects and perspectives with each turn of the page.

It is like uncovering a hidden treasure chest filled with surprises.

What I thought would be a simple read has transformed into a captivating journey of exploration and discovery.

I am constantly amazed by how much depth and complexity there is within these words.

It makes me realize that there is always more to a story than meets the eye, and that sometimes, the most unexpected things can bring the greatest joys and revelations.

This particular piece has truly exceeded my expectations and left me eager to see what else lies ahead.

The 1940s was a decade filled with significant events and cultural shifts that offer profound insights worth exploring.

It was a time of war and upheaval, which had a profound impact on society, art, and literature.

The cultural expressions of this era reflected the hopes, fears, and dreams of the people.

From the emergence of new musical genres to the evolution of fashion and design, the 1940s was a period of great creativity and innovation.

By delving into the cultural insights of the 1940s, we can gain a deeper understanding of the past and how it has shaped our present.

This exploration not only enriches our knowledge but also allows us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of a bygone era.

So, take the time to read and discover the hidden treasures of the 1940s cultural landscape.