-This reference is an attempt to remedy the lack of recent literature on the culture, customs and cultural transformation of Afghanistan, a topic that has remained largely overlooked since the outbreak of civil war in 1992. Emadi, a consultant to Focus Humanitarian Assistance and a monitor of the October 2004 elections in Afghanistan, provides a brief history of the region but primarily addresses the religion, literature, arts, housing, social customs and family structures of contemporary Afghanistan. —Reference & Research Book News/Art Book News Annual

-[P]rovides a detailed overview of Afghanistan. Chapters include Land, People, and History; Religion and Religious Thought; Literature and the Arts; Architecture, Housing and Settlements; Social Customs, Cuisine, and Traditional Dress; Family, Women and Gender Issues; Lifestyles; Media; and Education. The reader will learn that Afghanistan has been at the crossroads of many cultures and civilizations and occupies a unique place in the cultural geography of Central Asia. Tribes and armies invaded ancient Afghanistan and continue in modern times, and the invasions have left their mark on this country and its people. This volume gives a close-up view of the people of Afghanistan as they struggle to rebuild. —MultiCultural Review

-This title looks at Afghanistan from ancient times to the present U.S. military involvement and provides useful background information for motivated readers. Emadi has a thorough knowledge of his subject, as he has done fieldwork in various regions of the country and also monitored the 2004 elections. His discussions of the Russian occupation, the subsequent civil war, and the Taliban are detailed and informative, as is his discussion of religion and religious thought. The chapters on social customs and family, women, and gender issues are particularly interesting. This volume includes a simple country map, an extensive and detailed chronology, a short resource guide, and a smattering of pedestrian black-and-white photos. Because the analysis is fairly academic, this book would be best suited to high school students who need current, detailed material for research assignments. —School Library Journal