Theo. F. Rodenbough (1838–1912)

I read the Gutenberg version of this book. So much of the descriptions of the Afghans and their fighting spirit rings true today as McKrystal tries to deal with the Taliban in such a way as to release US and other NATO soldiers. Even the description of the physical appearance of the Afghans is accurate today. ""The Afghan's national costume consists of a long shirt, drawers,
and dirty linen clothes; or, if he is a soldier, he affects a
British red coat. He throws it over his shirt, while he gets on his
head the picturesque Indo-Afghan turban. Others again--and these are
the _beau-monde_--are wont to assume a half-Persian costume. Weapons
are borne by all. Rarely does any one, whether civil or military,
enter the bazar without his sword and shield. To be quite _a la
mode_ one must carry about one quite an arsenal, consisting of two
pistols, a sword, poniard, hand-jar, gun, and shield." M. Vambery
also describes a drill of some Afghan regulars.… (altro)