The last twenty-odd years of history where Afghanistan is concerned – told in pictures as well as words. And yes, the pictures do often break up the flow of the main storyline too much, but they all get their fairly substantial caption, so things are reinforced as we turn these pages, even if we have to cover the ground twice. I think this is a fine effort, but I really don't know how accurate, balanced or controversial it will prove to be considered by those knowledgeable about such matters. (Just from the prologue alone I can see some barracking this for mentioning the Islamist separatist side of the Uygur issue.) So while I think it's worth giving four stars, I say so in a whisper in case I'm very wrong.