Ralph H. Magnus is the coordinator of Middle Eastern Studies at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey. He is a former assistant cultural attaché of the American embassy in Kabul. A scholar of ethnic culture and politics, Eden Naby has resided throughout Central Asia. She has served on the faculties of Harvard University, Columbia University, the University of Massachusetts, and the University of Wisconsin.

"This long-awaited study is a welcome addition to the growing literature on modern Afghan politics." Pacific Affairs "Written in an easy style that is thankfully free of jargon, Magnus and Naby's contribution provides a useful...introduction to the complexity of modern Afghanistan." Middle East Journal "Perhaps the best to date, this book is an in-depth account and analysis of recent Afghan history.... Should remain a standard resource on Afghanistan for some time to come." Choice