Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan

by Ludwig W. Adamec

Overview

The fourth edition of the Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan contains substantial new material to reflect the rapid changes in the region. This is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, an expansive bibliography, and over 1,000 cross-referenced dictionary entries on significant persons, events, places, organizations, and other aspects of Afghanistan history from the earliest times to the present. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Afghanistan.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810878150
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/10/2011
Series:	Historical Dictionaries of Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East
Edition description:	Fourth Edition
Pages:	666
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.90(d)

About the Author

Ludwig W. Adamec is professor at the University of Arizona and has served as the director of the Near Eastern Center for 10 years. He is widely known as a leading authority on Afghanistan and the author of 24 volumes and numerous articles and monographs, including the Historical Dictionary of Islam, Second Edition (Scarecrow, 2009) and Historical Dictionary of Afghan Wars, Revolutions, and Insurgencies (Scarecrow, 2005).

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Editor's Foreword Chapter 2 Abbreviations and Acronyms Chapter 3 Reader's Note Chapter 4 Maps of Afghanistan Chapter 5 Introduction Chapter 6 THE DICTIONARY Chapter 7 Appendixes Chapter 8 Appendix 1: Major Sections of the "Durand Agreement" Chapter 9 Appendix 1A: The Legal Case for the Durand Line Chapter 10 Appendix 2: Soviet Report on Intervention in Afghanistan in December 1979 Chapter 11 Appendix 3: Interim Agreement Chapter 12 Appendix 4: Military Technical Agreement Chapter 13 Appendix 5: Commission for Loya Jirga Chapter 14 Appendix 5A: Procedures for Afghanistan's Emergency Loya Jirga Chapter 15 Appendix 6: Transitional Government Chapter 16 Appendix 7: Taliban Government Chapter 17 Bibliography Chapter 18 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Officially known as the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, this landlocked central Asian nation has been the site of the longest war in American history. The burgeoning interest in this country—commonly known as the "graveyard of empires"—may help explain the need for a fourth edition of this title (3rd ed., CH, Apr'04, 41-4384; 2nd ed., CH, Feb'98, 35-3081; 1st ed., CH, Jun'92, 29-5413). Adamec (emer., Univ. of Arizona) has written more than two-dozen historical and political works on this often violently contested land. Similar to the format of other works in the "Historical Dictionary" series, this volume primarily contains an A-Z dictionary covering history, politics, geography, institutions, and culture, in addition to prominent contemporary and historical figures, among numerous other topics. The editor notes that "hundreds of added or substantially revised entries" are featured in this latest, hefty edition. A mostly brief chronology spans the country's history since its earliest times, but the emphasis is primarily on recent times. The appendixes feature some interesting primary documents, and the introduction provides a short but useful overview of Afghanistan....This work is a superb ready-reference source suitable for major academic and public libraries. It will also be useful for smaller libraries that might not own the earlier editions. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. 

Choice Reviews

The first substantive section of this dictionary is a chronology of events which goes up to March 2011. Next is a concise introduction on the geography, people, religion, and history of Afghanistan. While there is mention of Afghan ties to Ariana (1500 B.C.E.), the historical analysis focuses on the early nineteenth century onwards, with special consideration for events leading up to the Soviet occupation and its aftermath. The same focus is true for the dictionary of terms. This is in line with the work’s stated scope to concentrate ‘on the political history of contemporary Afghanistan.’ Following the dictionary are appendixes, which outline major terms of the Durand Agreement, Taliban Codex, Rules for Political Parties, Durrani genealogy, and a thematically arranged bibliography.. .. In conclusion, Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan is an excellent starting point for scholars and general readers interested in contemporary political Afghanistan.

American Reference Books Annual

Officially known as the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, this landlocked central Asian nation has been the site of the longest war in American history. The burgeoning interest in this country—commonly known as the "graveyard of empires"—may help explain the need for a fourth edition of this title (3rd ed., CH, Apr'04, 41-4384; 2nd ed., CH, Feb'98, 35-3081; 1st ed., CH, Jun'92, 29-5413). Adamec (emer., Univ. of Arizona) has written more than two-dozen historical and political works on this often violently contested land. Similar to the format of other works in the "Historical Dictionary" series, this volume primarily contains an A-Z dictionary covering history, politics, geography, institutions, and culture, in addition to prominent contemporary and historical figures, among numerous other topics. The editor notes that "hundreds of added or substantially revised entries" are featured in this latest, hefty edition. A mostly brief chronology spans the country's history since its earliest times, but the emphasis is primarily on recent times. The appendixes feature some interesting primary documents, and the introduction provides a short but useful overview of Afghanistan....This work is a superb ready-reference source suitable for major academic and public libraries. It will also be useful for smaller libraries that might not own the earlier editions. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. 

Choice

Officially known as the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, this landlocked central Asian nation has been the site of the longest war in American history. The burgeoning interest in this country--commonly known as the "graveyard of empires"--may help explain the need for a fourth edition of this title (3rd ed., CH, Apr'04, 41-4384; 2nd ed., CH, Feb'98, 35-3081; 1st ed., CH, Jun'92, 29-5413). Adamec (emer., Univ. of Arizona) has written more than two-dozen historical and political works on this often violently contested land. Similar to the format of other works in the "Historical Dictionary" series, this volume primarily contains an A-Z dictionary covering history, politics, geography, institutions, and culture, in addition to prominent contemporary and historical figures, among numerous other topics. The editor notes that "hundreds of added or substantially revised entries" are featured in this latest, hefty edition. A mostly brief chronology spans the country's history since its earliest times, but the emphasis is primarily on recent times. The appendixes feature some interesting primary documents, and the introduction provides a short but useful overview of Afghanistan....This work is a superb ready-reference source suitable for major academic and public libraries. It will also be useful for smaller libraries that might not own the earlier editions. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers.--CHOICE

The first substantive section of this dictionary is a chronology of events which goes up to March 2011. Next is a concise introduction on the geography, people, religion, and history of Afghanistan. While there is mention of Afghan ties to Ariana (1500 B.C.E.), the historical analysis focuses on the early nineteenth century onwards, with special consideration for events leading up to the Soviet occupation and its aftermath. The same focus is true for the dictionary of terms. This is in line with the work's stated scope to concentrate 'on the political history of contemporary Afghanistan.' Following the dictionary are appendixes, which outline major terms of the Durand Agreement, Taliban Codex, Rules for Political Parties, Durrani genealogy, and a thematically arranged bibliography. . . . In conclusion, Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan is an excellent starting point for scholars and general readers interested in contemporary political Afghanistan.--American Reference Books Annual

From the Publisher

Officially known as the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, this landlocked central Asian nation has been the site of the longest war in American history. The burgeoning interest in this country—commonly known as the "graveyard of empires"—may help explain the need for a fourth edition of this title (3rd ed., CH, Apr'04, 41-4384; 2nd ed., CH, Feb'98, 35-3081; 1st ed., CH, Jun'92, 29-5413). Adamec (emer., Univ. of Arizona) has written more than two-dozen historical and political works on this often violently contested land. Similar to the format of other works in the "Historical Dictionary" series, this volume primarily contains an A-Z dictionary covering history, politics, geography, institutions, and culture, in addition to prominent contemporary and historical figures, among numerous other topics. The editor notes that "hundreds of added or substantially revised entries" are featured in this latest, hefty edition. A mostly brief chronology spans the country's history since its earliest times, but the emphasis is primarily on recent times. The appendixes feature some interesting primary documents, and the introduction provides a short but useful overview of Afghanistan....This work is a superb ready-reference source suitable for major academic and public libraries. It will also be useful for smaller libraries that might not own the earlier editions. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. 

CHOICE

A concise reference with entries on major historical events, important places, leading personalities (past and present) and significant aspects of Afghanistan's culture, religion, and economy. The introduction contains an extensive overview of its history. A listing of abbreviations and acronyms, user's notes, and a chronology and bibliography complete the work. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

Adamec touches upon all topics, persons, events, institutions, and places related to Afghanistan's historical, political, economic, and social development.

Middle East Journal

Covers important economic, social, and cultural topics as well as significant people, places, events, institutions, groups, and movements from the whole sweep of Afghan history

Booklist

This new edition, like all the volumes in the Asian/Oceanian series, is a very valuable reference tool. With world attention on and American involvement in Afghanistan likely to be long term, this comprehensive compendium will be most popular in libraries. The book should be widely held.

American Reference Books Annual (ARBA)