Crisp, taut, and as clear as a bell ... a fascinating story with many a beguiling subplot along the way.

The story of how [the alphabet] came into being is a fascinating one and Man is the ideal writer to tell it. His scholarship seems boundless... he also has a journalist's ear for a story... straight out of Indiana Jones

Absorbing tale ... many surprises on the way.

A scholarly and fascinating history of the alphabet, from hieroglyphics to letters, and its dissemination from culture to culture and from past to present

Compelling and entertaining ... As the story romps onwards, the characters stay larger-than-life, on all sides

A colourful primer to events that preceded the current conflict in this turbulent place

I could not have enjoyed it more and think it quite excellent ... Should be read by young - and old - Army officers who go to Afghanistan. It is a great pity some of those who involved us in what is going on now did not understand what we would be up against

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a well-rounded, no-nonsense overview of Afghanistan. A brilliant read

David Loyn, a long-time BBC foreign affairs reporter, has written a brilliant history book of Afghanistan's wars of the past two centuries, but more importantly the evidence he amasses poses a primary question about the war being fought in Afghanistan: are we sure this is a good idea? The lesson from history suggests it might not be . . . it is a bleak conclusion to a book that should be a must-read for every politician who sends our squaddies into Afghanistan - but one based fairly and squarely on the weight of history

Excellent ... Should be slipped into President Obama's Christmas stocking

A seminal book that I know for a fact is sitting on a number of British military commander's desks well-thumbed, as they strive to get to know their enemy in Afghanistan

Some of our worst failures there might have been averted, if only we'd bothered to learn the lessons of the past. This book should become a core text

Impressive . . . Should be required reading for everyone in the Foreign Office

The interior designer, journalist and socialite Nicky Haslam has met almost everyone who's anyone

It is...boisterously good company and proof that if Haslam knows one thing, it's that you can only get away with a life like his if you are never, ever boring.

a terrifically entertaining read

extremely diverting, essentially kind-hearted and well written