The Places In Between

He has to be half mad in a 19th century sort of way, but Rory Stewart is a truly intrepid wanderer. This wasn't like a trek across Tuscany or through the Polish lakes, full of cozy inns and warm welcoming old souls. He survives barely being fed, hostile ex-Taliban, and sickness as he struggles across "trails" buried under 9 feet of snow at 14,000 ft. But no one can know Afghanistan better, not even the locals some of whom haven't left their mountain village in their entire lives.

Very interesting and extremely timely. I varied between thinking walking across Afghanistan was an brilliant idea and a completely crazy and pointless one. Sometimes the ancient history he included got a little dry but ultimately it was a good way to try and understand the situation in Afghanistan. At times though, it seemed a little incredible that he expected some sort of welcome everywhere he went, in a country torn about by constant war and poverty.

I love reading travel walking writers stories but not so much this one. I finally started skimming. The most interesting is simply getting a sense for the rural Afghan people ... what their world looks like, what they know about the bigger world and not, etc. The most boring is the history interspersed that isn't, in this case, engaging ... I often would find myself thinking 'who cares?' ... Too bad, he has potential and it is a first for him I think ...

A really good, quick read that is packed with information. The story is about a man traveling across Afghanistan on foot. At the end of each days journey he journals that days activities and talks about the people he has met.

Excellent story of a man who walks across Afghanistan. It helps give a more rounded picture of the people in this war tired country. Rory Stewart has my admiration and respect. He is not afraid to be uncomfortable to really experience life and all its daring adventure.

An excellent travelogue!

Stewart's work through the Turquoise Mountain foundation in Kabul is a refreshing sign of actual progress in Afghanistan.

Sure, Rory Stewart tell us what happens and then what happens next. The problem is that there isn't much more than that. I wished for more analysis.

I enjoyed this book immensely. After spending time in the Middle East, it brought back lots of memories. Rory's sense of humor kept me smiling the entire time, and the story of his experiences walking across Afghanistan demanded my rapt attention. If you want to know more about the PEOPLE of Afghanistan, this is a good place to start.

A genuine adventure, although he is not good at the antropological aspects ... and he takes the Afghan sarcasms very seriously

My sister got this book for me. Reminds me a bit of Three Cups of Tea. Offers a good perspective of the constantly changing political, cultural, and social complexities in present-day Afghanistan, while also illustrating the vast history of the region. The author does of good job of engaging the reader- you feel like you're on the journey, experiencing the hardships, frustration, and beauty of the landscape. And the dog... Babur... that broke my heart.