audiobook The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Barker in History

Review

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful. Both More and Less than You Might ExpectBy Doug Bowker3.5 STARS if that were possible.Many; like me; probably will pick this book up after watching the movie Whiskey; Tango; Foxtrot with Tina Fey. From that perspective I was both disappointed AND rewarded. If you've read other non-fiction accounts in the many political and military hotspots around the world; then you will most likely enjoy what is recounted here. If on the other hand 99% of what you read is fiction and you generally like to keep it light; I doubt this book will be your thing. I fall firmly into the former category and love books by journalists who are willing to go right to the edge in order to make sure the world doesn't ignore what's important. I believe Kim Barker did her best to be one of these journalists; but sadly wasn't taken as seriously (because of being a woman) both on the ground and back home where journalism of this kind was drying up.COMPARISONS: The movie is much more linear and the scripting/story arc greatly tightened up. Plus it's funnier. On the other hand this book is so much more interesting and three dimensional than the movie; which in reality takes only about 1/3 of the book as it's source material. It also puts much more emphasis on the romantic and sexual relationships of the author; which in the book hardly happen at all. The movie almost makes these as primary plot movers; and it's obvious that they were all little more than tangential to Ms. Barker in her real life.Towards the end of the book she basically admits that writing the book was as much a form of PTSD self-therapy as anything else. That doesn't invalidate the writing at all; but it does point out that it's not the sort of book that has a "story" or over-arching theme to follow. It's just like a lot of life and meaning isn't always easy to wring out of it. In that light; the book is definitely uneven at times; and rambles all around. But it is also honest and insightful; and an important voice against the apathy and dumbing down of US foreign journalism. It's partly an indictment against the lazy and often deadly approach the US takes to its foreign policy; though this judgment is not partisan; nor does it let the countries in question off the hook. It's because she ends up loving Afghanistan that she becomes so disillusioned by it's leaders and competing factions.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. very good insight into an area of the world where there can be no winners and the loser is the USABy Bruce Wolfthis book provides very good insight into the chaos of Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is written with a so-so first person style. However; it gave me considerable information about the disastrous situation in this part of the world and how the United States has again been dragged into a war where there can be no winners and where the national leaders have only a very selfish agenda for survival and becoming rich. Should be read by anyone interested in the situation in these countries.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The book is very good; the film was a little differentBy SleepyshoeThe book is very good; the film was a little different. It was amusing in parts but you were always aware that the journalists were in a dangerous situation. The Author obviously made a lot of good; trustworthy friends in Afghanistan. There are always 2 sides to every nationality and she showed us both.