Behind the headlines, the strategies, the
surges, what is life really like in
Afghanistan? What is it like to live and
work there as a civilian on state-building
with its people, fighting the Taliban with
flip-charts and pens, not guns? In her
account of sixteen months in the capital
of Helmand province, Lashkar Gah,
working for the UK-led Provincial
Reconstruction Team, Kate Fearon
records everyday life on the frontline.
Amidst the violence she unearths
extraordinary stories of how ordinary
Afghans live and what they think, both
inside and outside the walls of military
bases. From the thrills and risks of
getting there to exploring Helmand and
its history this book follows the author's
daily life she gets to know the people
behind the war. She learns Pashto, visits
the Districts, meets the US Marines,
observes elections and evades
suspected suicide bombers. She
describes working with the tribal Elders
on informal justice and policing issues,
and building local democracy with them.
She also listens to the musings of young
men on marriage (and nightclubs),
discovers what Afghan women really
think of their burquas, and discusses
poppy growing, pornography, forbidden
love-notes, drinking and dancing. Tragic
and touching but also wryly observed,
City of Soldiers tells of the camaraderie
and courage of those working under
extreme conditions, foreigners and
locals, civilians and military alike.