The Way of the Pathans

by James W. Spain

The largest tribal society remaining in the world lives along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, in the area surrounding the Khyber Pass. The guiding force for its twelve million members is 'Pukhtunwali', The Way of the Pathans.The principal tribes and their characteristics, their austere and beautiful land, their turbulent history, and daily lives are presented concisely and systematically; as are the fiery sweetness of Pathan poetry, the murky violence of tribal feuds over zar, zan, and zamin, (gold, women, and land), and the perennial intrigue among the tribes and the Great Powers which has continued since Kipling first wrote of The Great Game.

Genres: Nonfiction

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Мак Хан · Rating 5 out of 5]

want to know the culture of Pathans than must read this book(:

[Brian Griffith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic from the days when Westerners typically viewed the Pathans of Afghanistan or Pakistan as heroic and virtuous rather than a threat to be controlled.

[Sultan khattak · Rating 3 out of 5]

t's a classic because of its elegant writing style. It carries a venerable essence of 1960's post colonial NWFP(now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). It's a worthy read because of James Spain's open mind and open heart towards traveling to foreign lands. His passion for understanding different peoples and openness to culture can be felt in reading his book. It describes his personal visits to different parts of KP(Nwfp) in the 60's. His personal accounts during his regional travels and meeting all classes of the populace. So, it's a great book for anyone who wants to feel the stories and new lives of Pashtuns in 1960's Pakistan. And elegantly touches on certain pre partition Pashtun history as well.
But unfortunately much has changed since the 60's in KP. The romanticism of new beginnings and simplicity of life for Pashtun folk in Pakistan has evolved into a much complicated situation currently. Nonetheless massive progression has taken place amongst them.

James spain has seen through our people and understood them well. I would thank him for writing such a venerable account of my people's history.