by Kim Barker
First published 2016
Kim Barker arrives in Afghanistan as an inexperienced journalist thrust into covering the post-9/11 conflict while America focuses on Iraq. She navigates the contradictions of Kabul, a supposedly dry city where foreign correspondents throw drunken parties, and ventures into the countryside for surreal tea meetings with local warlords. As months turn to years, Barker evolves from bumbling newcomer to skilled reporter, learning to decode the complexities of Afghan and Pakistani politics. She witnesses the absurd bureaucracy, cultural misunderstandings, and daily ironies that define this overlooked war zone. Through mishaps and small victories, Barker develops genuine affection for these troubled nations even as she grows increasingly worried about their prospects. Her journey reveals both the ridiculous and tragic sides of modern warfare.
Genres: adventure, memoir, 21st-century, journalism
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, personal-growth
Setting: Afghanistan, Kabul, Pakistan
Period: Post-9/11
320 pages · Paperback · Anchor
Content warnings: war