Under a Sickle Moon: A Journey Through Afghanistan

by Peregrine Hodson

In 1984 journalist Peregrine Hodson crossed the Pakistan border into Afghanistan with rebel mujahedin smuggling arms and ammunition, beginning a thousand-mile journey through the war-torn nation. Fluent in Farsi, he was able to observe the war with stunning intimacy and eloquently capture the essence of the Afghan people and their culture. As the travelers survived bombings by Soviet aircraft, an ambush by a rival faction, and becoming swept up in a major offensive, Hodson would come to gain a unique perspective on their hopes for peace and religious devotion. Bringing together travel writing, war reportage, and history, this is a richly rendered portrait of a complex people. "Gripping and moving ... [a] powerful account of a war that has often been described as 'forgotten.'" -- Gail Pool, The Christian Science Monitor "Will long remain the most vivid account of a strange and horrible wrong." -- Ahmed Rashid, The Independent (London) "Vivid and intriguing." -- Jonathan Kirsch, -- Los Angeles Times Book Review

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, History, Asia

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Daren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this looked a quick read, but it wasn't particularly. Peregrine Hodson travelled in Afghanistan under the name of Abdul Baz, "my name, unabbreviated, was difficult to pronounce while in its shortened form it sounded like a word in Dari meaning 'fairy' or 'female angel': so I was given the name Abdul. I added the word 'baz', which means falcon."

He was there for just over three months in 1984 to provide the Sunday Times with a report on the 'People's War'. This book is not his report, but a record of his journey. He kept a detailed diary and used a tape recorder to capture many of his conversations. Hodson spoke fluent Farsi (the modern Persian language); and therefore could communicate well in Dari (one of two official Afghan languages) languages which are mutually intelligible, especially in written form, although they have some differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and usage.

The 'People's War' refers to the Soviet-Afghan War, where the Soviets moved massive numbers of troops into Afghanistan ostensibly to assist the Afghan Government (and therefore the Afghan Armed Forces) to put down the Islamic militants - the Mujahedin. And, of course, it is with the Mujahedin that Hodson travelled. From Pakistan he crossed the border by foot with a group of Mujahedin returning to their homes and to defend them against the Soviet forces - who by this time had resorted to bombing raids by their air force which was very successful given the Mujahadin had little capacity to shoot down fighter jets.

The journey is described in detail - it was a tough journey, Hodson was unwell for practically all of his time in Afghanistan - which which was inevitable really, with the water quality, the poor diet and limited sanitary conditions, mosquitos carrying Malaria and the high risk of hepatitis. Hodson followed a looping course through northern Afghanistan (the provinces of Lowgar, Wardak, Bamiyan, Takhar, Kunar and Nuristan). He moved from village to village, met with the Mujahedin leader in each, was provided with hospitality and accompanied by guides and assistance, although generally he joined groups of men moving from one area to the next. In reality he only had limited ability to determine his own route, and was regularly under threat of war, often being rushed from a village to lie in the relative safety of trenches while jets dropped bombs.

He spoke with many men, from all levels of society, on many topics. The narrative is wide ranging, but all comes back to the hardships of the Mujahedin, their resistance of the Soviets and the complexity of the power struggle of rival factions of the Mujahedin.

For me there were two major insights. The first was the authors ability to communicate directly with the Afghanis. This meant no reliance on interpreters who would notoriously tailor their translations to their perspective, to assist themselves or to tell the journalist what they think they want to hear. This gave Hodson a huge advantage in the presentation of his story.

The other insight was the Islamic responsibility for hospitality. In the absolute worst of circumstances, people with the least to offer provide food, shelter and assistance to the author and other foreign journalists who are basically coming to Afghanistan to gather stories to sell. It astounds me the lengths people go to in assisting the author and his companions (the last third of his journey he makes with two other journalists).

Worth seeking out.
4 stars.

[Gregor Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic, really easy to read and saturated with interesting characters and fascinating insight to a nation portrayed very negatively in recent history. Hodson explores many themes relating to a nation at war, so many interesting conversations and monologues whereby he gets to the heart of a people during a troubling time. You get a real sense of culture, geography and social sentiment through his reflective and honest writing.

[Aledra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pictures of life in the "80's when Russia was trying to take over the Afghans have come back to me many times because of this book. It is not a page-turner, but it does give insights into life and attitudes. I recommend it for our current situation with Afghanistan.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book… very well written. I met peregrine on a train to london recently and so bought his book. Insight int a different world and mentality. Great!

[Securityreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book redpilled me

[DoctorM · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the very best memoirs from the Russian war in Afghanistan. Hodson went to Afghanistan in 1984, during the bleakest part of the war, and his account is sombre, thoughtful, and beautifully-written. Hodson would've been thirty during this trip, and his later career (barrister, merchant banker in Bubble-era Tokyo, author of "Circle Round the Sun" about his Tokyo days) is at least as fascinating as "Under a Sickle Moon"--- a life one has to envy.

Hodson, by the way, read Oriental languages at university, and came to Afghanistan able to speak Persian--- which meant he could function in Dari, the Afghan lingua franca, unlike most Western writers, who relied on translators and guesswork in talking to locals.

A fine piece of reportage with a equally fine sense of place. Worth finding and reading.

[DoctorM · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the very best memoirs from the Russian war in Afghanistan. Hodson went to Afghanistan in 1984, during the bleakest part of the war, and his account is sombre, thoughtful, and beautifully-written. Hodson would've been thirty during this trip, and his later career (barrister, merchant banker in Bubble-era Tokyo, author of "Circle Round the Sun" about his Tokyo days) is at least as fascinating as "Under a Sickle Moon"--- a life one has to envy.

Hodson, by the way, read Oriental languages at university, and came to Afghanistan able to speak Persian--- which meant he could function in Dari, the Afghan lingua franca, unlike most Western writers, who relied on translators and guesswork in talking to locals.

A fine piece of reportage with a equally fine sense of place. Worth finding and reading.

[Elliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book both for the story and because it reminded me of how little has changed in Afghanistan since the 1980s (in many ways). I imagine it would be far less interesting to people who aren't connected to Afghanistan.

[Alyssa Doherty · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book kind of dragged on and had too much detail about the little things. There wasn't as much action as I expected and I just generally didn't like it.