Some reviews of the first edition: 'This is the most instructive study of the Afghan response to Marxist rule and Soviet intervention published to date. It is based on Roy's several lengthy visits threoughout Afghanistan between 1980 and 1985 … this is preeminently a study of Afghan society, religion and politics in an elemental struggle for cultural and national survival.' South Asia

• Acknowledgements; Maps; Introduction; 1. State and society in Afghanistan; 2. Islam in Afghanistan; 3. The origins of Afghan fundamentalism and popular movements up to 1947; 4. The Islamist movement up to 1978; 5. The communist reforms and the repression, 1978-9; 6. The uprisings, 1978-9; 7. The establishments of political parties; 8. The development of the parties between 1980 and 1984; 9. The role of the Shi'a in the resistance; 10. Society and the war; 11. From freedom fighter to guerilla; 12. Military operations; 13. The conflict from 1986 to the Soviet withdrawal; 14. Cultural patterns and changes in society: an assessment; 15. Afghan politics and the outside world; Appendices; Chronological table; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Some reviews of the first edition: 'This is the most instructive study of the Afghan response to Marxist rule and Soviet intervention published to date. It is based on Roy's several lengthy visits threoughout Afghanistan between 1980 and 1985 … this is preeminently a study of Afghan society, religion and politics in an elemental struggle for cultural and national survival.' South Asia

• Acknowledgements; Maps; Introduction; 1. State and society in Afghanistan; 2. Islam in Afghanistan; 3. The origins of Afghan fundamentalism and popular movements up to 1947; 4. The Islamist movement up to 1978; 5. The communist reforms and the repression, 1978-9; 6. The uprisings, 1978-9; 7. The establishments of political parties; 8. The development of the parties between 1980 and 1984; 9. The role of the Shi'a in the resistance; 10. Society and the war; 11. From freedom fighter to guerilla; 12. Military operations; 13. The conflict from 1986 to the Soviet withdrawal; 14. Cultural patterns and changes in society: an assessment; 15. Afghan politics and the outside world; Appendices; Chronological table; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Some reviews of the first edition: 'This is the most instructive study of the Afghan response to Marxist rule and Soviet intervention published to date. It is based on Roy's several lengthy visits threoughout Afghanistan between 1980 and 1985 … this is preeminently a study of Afghan society, religion and politics in an elemental struggle for cultural and national survival.' South Asia

• Acknowledgements; Maps; Introduction; 1. State and society in Afghanistan; 2. Islam in Afghanistan; 3. The origins of Afghan fundamentalism and popular movements up to 1947; 4. The Islamist movement up to 1978; 5. The communist reforms and the repression, 1978-9; 6. The uprisings, 1978-9; 7. The establishments of political parties; 8. The development of the parties between 1980 and 1984; 9. The role of the Shi'a in the resistance; 10. Society and the war; 11. From freedom fighter to guerilla; 12. Military operations; 13. The conflict from 1986 to the Soviet withdrawal; 14. Cultural patterns and changes in society: an assessment; 15. Afghan politics and the outside world; Appendices; Chronological table; Notes; Bibliography; Index.