My Pick of the Week!

Into the Land of Bones is a rarity, because it is both scholarly and timely. Professor Frank L. Holt draws parallels between recent European attempts to westernize Afghanistan and the attempts of Alexander the Great to pacify this region 2,300 years ago. He finds unfortunate similarities. Both ancient Bactria and modern Afghanistan are tribal societies, inhabited by people who want to be left alone, and are willing to fight fiercely for their independence.
Professor Holt analyzes original documents, recent archeological excavations and discoveries of hoards of coins, to produce a detailed description of Alexander’s campaigns and life at the limits of Greek civilization. This book provides a fascinating insight into how historians reach their conclusions and how fragile our understanding of our past actually is. A must read for anyone interested in either ancient history or current events.